Crash Course U.S. History: The American Revolution

Types of Revolutions

• Revolutions can lead to significant change or leave things largely unchanged.
• Example: French Revolution vs. Industrial Revolution.
• The American Revolution: a mix of both.
  • Shift from British rule to governance by rich white men.
  • Despite not living up to its rhetoric, the ideas of the revolution were impactful.

War for Independence

• British Strategy: Capture major cities to force surrender.
  • Success in capturing Boston, New York, Charleston.
  • Colonists held the countryside due to home-field advantage.
• Key Battles:
  • Trenton: Washington's surprise attack, crossing the Delaware.
  • Saratoga: Major British defeat, poor British leadership.
  • Yorktown: British surrender in 1781, thanks to French aid.

Impact on Different Groups

Continental Soldiers

• Poor conditions; often unpaid and lacking rations.
• Felt unappreciated by the new nation.

Loyalists and Pacifists

• Many fought for the British or remained neutral.
• Quakers faced property confiscation for their pacifism.

Slaves

• British offered freedom to slaves who fought for them.
• Many fled to British lines; 15,000 left with the British.
• Britain abolished slavery by 1843 without a civil war.

Native Americans

• Desired neutrality; ended up divided.
• Iroquois and Cherokees split on which side to support.
• Suffered brutality from American troops.

Women

• Limited gains; some fought, but roles largely unchanged.
• "Republican Motherhood" emphasized women's role in educating citizens.

Revolutionary Changes

Ideas

• Declaration of Independence: "All men are created equal."
• Broadened voting rights (though still limited to property-owning white males).
• Religious freedom: Jefferson's separation of church and state.

Economic Shifts

• Decline in apprenticeship and indentured servitude.
• North-South economic divide began to solidify.
• Cotton gin reinvigorated slavery in the South.

Slavery and Hypocrisy

• Founders' hypocrisy in owning slaves while advocating for liberty.
• Northern states gradually abolished slavery post-Revolution.
• Free black population increased significantly by 1810.

Legacy of the Revolution

• Introduction of American equality: no inherent social classes based on birth.
• Catalyst for change in America and globally.
• Shift from birth-determined destiny to potential for success irrespective of background.

Conclusion

• The American Revolution was revolutionary more in its ideas than immediate changes.
• Set a foundation for future revolutions and changes globally.

Crash Course U.S. History produced by Stan Muller, directed and edited by Stan and Mark Olsen. Written by John Green and Raoul Meyer. Graphics by Thought Bubble.