1770s-1780s

In which America gains its independence.

In 1774, delegates from every colony except for Georgia met to formulate a response to the Coercive Acts. Famous attendees include John Adams, George Washington, Samuel Adams, and Patrick Henry. John Adams proposed the Declaration of Rights and Resolves. It stated that Americans had the right to control their own legislation, but Parliament could control commerce between the colonies and foreign countries. This meeting, the First Continental Congress, also resolved to boycott British goods for a year.

The next year, more British troops were sent to Massachusetts to control the colony that King George III felt was in a state of rebellion. The soldiers were trying to prevent a second meeting of the Continental Congress.

Redcoats were sent to seize weapons and gunpowder from the colonists, and arrest to Patriot leaders, John Hancock and Sam Adams in Concord, Massachusetts. They clashed with militiamen in Lexington, Massachusetts. This battle was the first in the American War for Independence.

Although the British attempted to prevent it, the Second Continental Congress met in May, 1775. They appointed George Washington Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. They also wrote the Olive Branch Petition which asked King George to intercede with Parliament on the colonists’ behalf. In effect, the Second Continental Congress was becoming America’s new government.

Britain passed the Prohibitory Act in 1776. All colonial ports were closed, and treason was redefined as any resistance to British rule. In response, Congress opened port to international trade and authorized privateers to attack British ships. Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence which formally broke ties between American and Britain. On July fourth, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by Congress.

The document as well as the principles of the American Revolution was influenced by Enlightenment philosophy. Ideals of a balanced, democratic government, perfecting human society, reason, and the role of the individual came from the Age of Reason. Many colonial leaders including Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson were deists. They relied on logic and science instead of faith. These values were reflected in the Declaration.

During the first few battles of the Revolutionary War, the British were able to defeat the Continental Army through a combination of superior numbers and strategy. However, in 1776, the colonial army captured about a thousand British soldiers at Trenton, New Jersey. This was General Washington’s first true victory.

America won more battles. Then, in 1777, the American militia forced British General Burgoyne to surrender at Saratoga, New York. This victory convinced France to support the American rebels in their battles against the British.

France and America signed the Treaty of Alliance in 1778. It stipulated France would not stop fighting until America won its independence, neither country would stop until they emerged victorious, and both were responsible for protecting America against all other powers. In the same year, Britain decided to meet all American demands made prior to 1775 in hopes of ending the war and retaining control of the colonies. At this point, only total independence would satisfy the colonists. The offers were rejected.

By 1779, Britain was fighting America, France, Spain, and the Netherlands simultaneously. In an attempt to cut off the colonies, they blockaded the American coast. Because France had a large, powerful fleet, this tactic was ineffective.

During 1779 and 1780, the British captured Georgia and moved on to the Carolinas. South Carolina was almost subdued, but Britain overreached themselves. Two subordinates of General Cornwallis were captured by the Patriots.

General Washington and French commander Comte de Rochambeau surrounded Cornwallis and forced him to surrender in 1781. At the same time, the French fleet attacked and defeated the British navy. Although American victory seemed inevitable, King George decided to continue the war.

Britain was in debt, and suffering losses not only in the Americas, but also in other colonial areas. In 1782, Parliament voted to discontinue the war. Lord North resigned. The new Prime Minister, Lord Rockingham wanted to negotiate a peace treaty. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay were appointed by the Continental Congress to travel to Paris to talk with the British.

The diplomats were supposed to consult with their French allies before making a final settlement. The Americans were perturbed by this arrangement because
France was allied with both America and Spain. They were attempting to help Spain win back a small peninsula bordering Spain, Gibraltar, from the British. It was possible that the French would try to use American land west of the Appalachians to bargain with if they could not capture Gibraltar. Although France wanted to destroy the British Empire, they didn’t want the newly independent US to become a threat.

It seemed increasingly likely that European countries would cede all the land bordering America. Jay and Franklin held speparate negotiations with the British. They insisted that Britain recognize their independence, and withdraw British troops from America as soon as possible.

The American border was set to include everything south of the Great Lakes, east of the Mississippi River, and north of Florida. Florida would be returned to Spain, and Britain would  keep Canada. In addition, British merchants would be allowed to continue trading and collecting debts in the United States.

In 1783, France and Spain stopped trying to recapture Gibraltar. They agreed to make peace with the British. The Treaty of Paris was signed that year.

America began organizing their government during the Revolutionary War. Continental Congress was acting as a legislature without any constitutional basis. To give it legal authority, a national constitution was drafted in 1776. It was submitted for approval by the states the next year. In 1781, the first national constitution was ratified. It was called The Articles of Confederation.

The Articles linked the thirteen states into a country, and gave the Continental Congress a legal basis for their power. However, Congress could not levy taxes, regulate trade, or enforce new laws. The legislature had only one branch in which each state received one vote. Nine states had to approve in order to pass a bill about war, treaties, military or finances, while constitutional amendments required unanimous approval.

As a result of these political changes, a social revolution occurred. Most land-related voting requirements were dropped, allowing the majority of white men to vote. The Anglican Church was dissolved and reformed as the Protestant Episcopal Church to break its ties to England. There was greater religious freedom, and separation between church and state increased.

Starting with Pennsylvania in 1780, every northern state abolished slavery. Many southern states relaxed manumission laws which prevented owners from freeing their slaves. About ten thousand slaves were freed by their owners between 1782 and 1790. However, even in the North segregation prevented African Americans from holding specific jobs, purchasing property, and going to school.

Many Congressmen wanted to abolish slavery altogether. However, they decided that the issue would take too long to resolve, and cause division between the states. Slavery was outlawed only in areas where it wasn’t economically important.

Women could not vote, preach, hold office, or get divorced during the 1700s. In many states, they lacked the ability own property, and had no legal rights to their children. Although John Adams’ wife Abigail advised him to secure women’s rights in the constitution, he did not comply.

One area that saw significant progress was education. The first American history textbook was published in 1787. Eight new colleges were founded during the 1780s, almost doubling the original number.  Americans grew more interested in public schooling.