Lesson 2C: The Revolutionary Republic

Major Questions Addressed

• Battle of Saratoga: Significance and impact on the American Revolution.
• Factors Enabling American Victory: Key reasons for American success in the Revolutionary War.
• Treaty of Paris 1783: Main provisions and differences from the 1763 treaty.
• Articles of Confederation: Inadequacies for self-governance after the war.

Battle of Saratoga

• Turning Point: October 1777, Americans captured England's northern army under General John Burgoyne.
• Impact: Forced England to abandon New England plans, focus on pacifying southern colonies.
• Global Perception: Showed European powers that Americans could win, leading to foreign support.

Factors Enabling American Victory

Foreign Assistance

• Financial Support: French (1.3 billion livres debt), Spain (700 million reals), Dutch sent supplies.
• Military/Naval Assistance: France (51 ships, 10,000 soldiers, 20,000 sailors), Spain (19 ships), Continental Navy initially had only 65 ships.

American Resolve

• Belief in Cause: Higher cause, God-sanctioned revolution, defending constitutional rights.
• State Militias: Est. law and order, harassed British troops, used guerrilla tactics.

George Washington's Strategy

• Conservative Approach: Avoided large-scale defeat, prolonged war, conserved forces (e.g., New York campaign, southern theater).
• Strategic Retreat: Divided forces, used local militias for guerrilla attacks, Battle of Cowpens (January 1781) key example.

British Command and Supply Issues

• Supply Line Vulnerability: Spread too thin, harassed by militias.
• Cautious Strategy: Couldn’t fight an all-out war due to post-war reassertion goals.

Treaty of Paris 1783

• American Independence: Recognized officially.
• Territorial Gains: Western boundary set at Mississippi River, additional fishing rights.
• British Troop Withdrawal: Rights and property for Loyalists restored, pre-war debts honored.

Articles of Confederation

Creation and Structure

• Purpose: Unite colonies against England.
• Structure: Unicameral legislature (Confederation Congress), every state one vote, difficult to pass laws/amendments.

Congressional Powers

• Foreign Affairs: Signing treaties, negotiations (approval of 9/13 states needed).
• Authority: Declare war, mediate disputes, manage Indian relations outside state boundaries.

Limitations of Power

• No Direct Taxes: Could not levy taxes or raise large armies without state compliance.
• State Sovereignty: States had significant autonomous powers.
• Ratification Issues: Delay due to states’ western land claims, especially Virginia’s claims.

Post-War Challenges

Treaty of Paris Enforcement

• Issues: Slaves taken by British, unpaid debts, British troops in northern forts.

Economic and Financial Problems

• National/State Debt: Financial instability, economic depression post-war.
• Continental Script: Worthless, specie in short supply, high post-war taxes.

Domestic and Foreign Conflicts

• Shay’s Rebellion & Northwest Indian War: Highlighted weaknesses in national governance.
• Pan-Indian Movement: Led by Joseph Brant, Chief Little Turtle, Blue Jacket; resisted U.S. expansion with British support.

Federal Government's Infrastructure

• Small Army: Limited ability to patrol and control frontier territory.