Overview
This lecture introduces Chapter 6 of U.S. History, focusing on America's War for Independence, the unlikelihood of colonial victory, and the unity among colonists that led to success.
Background: Colonial Ties to Britain
- By the 1770s, Britain ruled a vast empire with American colonies producing raw materials and consuming British goods.
- Strong cultural, historical, and economic bonds linked the American colonies and Britain for generations.
- Britain believed the colonies were too weak and disorganized to win a war for independence.
The Revolutionary War
- The Revolutionary War lasted eight years, from 1775 to 1783.
- Despite initial weaknesses, the thirteen colonies (later the United States) ultimately defeated Britain.
- Colonists from varied social and economic backgrounds united in opposition to British rule.
Unity and the Declaration of Independence
- Not all colonists supported independence; many remained loyal to Britain or stayed neutral.
- Patriots formed a sense of community against a common enemy.
- The Declaration of Independence, signed in 1776, asserted the colonies' right to be free and independent.
- The signers pledged their lives, fortunes, and honor in support of independence.
Chapter Outline
- 6.1: Britain’s Law-and-Order Strategy and Its Consequences
- 6.2: The Early Years of the Revolution
- 6.3: War in the South
- 6.4: Identity during the American Revolution
Key Terms & Definitions
- Patriots — Colonists who supported American independence from Britain.
- Loyalists — Colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown.
- Declaration of Independence — Document asserting U.S. independence, adopted in 1776.
- Continental Congress — Assembly representing the thirteen colonies during the Revolution.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Read sections 6.1 to 6.4 for deeper understanding of the Revolutionary War’s progression and impacts.
- Review key terms related to the American Revolution for upcoming discussions.