Chapter 6 Review: Trials of War 1776-1778

Introduction

• Focus on the first two years of the Revolutionary War.
• War in the North: British military outnumbered Patriots.
• Turning point: Battle of Saratoga (1777).

Key Events and Figures

• Battle of Saratoga:
  • Patriots won; crucial as France began aiding the US.
  • French aid was financial and military.
• Women's Role:
  • Women made clothing and managed farms.
  • Abigail Adams advocated for women's rights.
• Economic Issues:
  • State currencies were highly inflated.
  • Robert Morris secured foreign loans from Holland and France.

Military Strategy and Foreign Alliances

• Valley Forge:
  • Baron von Steuben trained American troops.
• French Alliance:
  • Unusual alliance due to differing religious and political beliefs.
  • Ben Franklin instrumental in securing the Treaty of Alliance.

War in the South

• Spain joined the war (1779).
• Fear of slave rebellions impacted southern war efforts.
• Philipsburg Proclamation:
  • Promised freedom to slaves rebelling against Patriots.
  • 5,000 African-Americans fought for the Patriot cause.

Key Figures

• Marquis de Lafayette:
  • Secured French troops for the US.
• Battle of Yorktown (1781):
  • Last major battle where Lord Cornwallis surrendered to Washington.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

• Ended the war, recognized US independence.
• US gained land east of the Mississippi and fishing rights.
• Spain regained Florida; France gained little.

Republican Institutions

• State Constitutions:
  • Pennsylvania had a unicameral legislature.
  • Most states were not fully democratic.
• Women's Public Voice:
  • Abigail Adams advocated for women's rights.

Losers of the War

• Loyalists, Native Americans, and slaves negatively affected.
• Articles of Confederation created a weak central government.

Articles of Confederation

• Each state had one vote; unanimous approval needed for amendments.
• Could make treaties and borrow money but not tax.
• Northwest Ordinance:
  • Banned slavery in the Northwest Territory.
  • Money from land sales funded education.
  • Territories became states at 60,000 population.

Shay’s Rebellion

• Highlighted weaknesses of the Articles.
• Led to calls for a stronger central government.

Constitutional Convention (1787)

• Virginia Plan: Bicameral legislature based on population.
• New Jersey Plan: Equal representation for all states.
• Great Compromise:
  • Combined elements of both plans.
  • House based on population; Senate with equal representation.

Slavery Compromises

• Three-Fifths Compromise: Counted 60% of slaves for representation.
• Slave Trade Compromise: Could not stop importation before 1808.

Ratification Debate

• Federalists: Supported a strong central government.
• Anti-Federalists: Feared too much centralized power, lacked a Bill of Rights.
• Federalist Papers: Advocated for ratification, discussed issues like factions.
• Constitution ratified with promise of Bill of Rights.

Recap

• Battle of Saratoga: Turning point, led to French involvement.
• Foreign Aid: Crucial for war success.
• Constitution: Established a stronger federal framework.

Conclusion

• Essential knowledge includes key battles, foreign aid, women's roles, and the impacts on different groups after the war.
• Understand Articles of Confederation problems and the solutions offered by the Constitution.