PERIOD 3: 1754 - 1800

Chapter 8 - America secedes from the empire (1775-1783)

Learning Objectives – After reading this chapter you should be able to:

1.  …describe how America engaged in military hostilities with Britain after April 1775, even while proclaiming their loyalty to the British crown.

2.  …explain why Thomas Paine’s Common Sense finally propelled Americans to declare their Independence in the summer of 1776, and outline the principal ideas of “republicanism” that Paine and other American revolutionary leaders promoted.

3.  …explain the specific reasons and general principles used in the declaration of independence to justify America’s separation.

4.  …understand the American War for Independence as a civil war as well as war with Britain, and describe the motivations and eventual fate of the Loyalists.

5.  …describe how the British attempt to crush the Revolution quickly was foiled, especially by the Battle of Saratoga.

6.  …describe the military and political obstacles of Washington and his generals faced and how they were able to overcome

7.  …outline the course and conduct of the War for Independence after 1778, and describe the key role played by France in the final victory at Yorktown.

8.  …describe the terms of the Treaty of Paris and explain how America was able to achieve such a stunning diplomatic victory.

Identify the Historical Significance of the following –

1.  George Washington

2.  William Howe

3.  Nathaniel Greene

4.  Benedict Arnold

5.  John Burgoyne

6.  Charles Cornwallis

7.  Thomas Paine

8.  Barry St. Lever

9.  George Rogers Clark

10. Richard Henry Lee

11. Horatio Gates

12. John Paul Jones

13. Thomas Jefferson

14. Marquis de Lafayette

15. Admiral De Grasse

16. Patrick Henry

17. Comte de Rochambeau

18. John Jay

19. Nathanael Greene

20. Daniel Morgan

Define & State the historical significance of the following –

21. mercenaries

22. natural rights

23. privateering

Describe & State the historical significance of the following –

24. Second Continental Congress

25. Common Sense

26. Declaration of Independence

27. Loyalists/Tories

28. Patriots/Whigs

29. Treaty of Paris of 1783

Describe & State the historical significance of the following –

30. Battle of Trenton

31. Battle of Princeton

32. Battle of Saratoga

33. Valley Forge

34. Monmouth

35. Vincennes

36. Kings Mountain

37. Cowpens

38. Guilford Courthouse