Social Studies 7 Theme #2: Key Events in American History Page Number 1 Unit: Rebellion and

Revolution

Navigation Acts
Definition Characteristics
• Laws passed by Great Britain to make sure that the British benefited economically
from colonial trade
• Forced colonial goods to be transported on British ships or Colonial ships
• Certain products could only be sold to Great Britain or it’s colonies
• European imports had to pass through Great Britain first
Key Events Participants
• Navigation Act of 1651
• Navigation Act of 1660
• Navigation Act of 1696
• British Crown and Parliament
• The 13 English Colonies

Enlightenment
Definition Characteristics
• Philosophical movement that stressed human reason and scientific observation
• Condemned tyranny
• Called for social and political change
• Belief that human beings could use rational thought to improve themselves and their
society
• Ideas on government, economics, and society
Dates Key Figures
• 1600 and 1700s
• Occurred in Europe and the Colonies
• John Locke
• Jean Jacques Rousseau
• Baron de Montesquieu
• Thomas Hobbes
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Revolution

Great Awakening
Definition Characteristics
• Religious movement that swept through the colonies in the Early 1700s
• Inner emotion was greater than outward behavior
• Belief in a spiritual rebirth
• Spiritual Equality
• Evangelicalism
Key Figures Effects
• Jonathan Edwards
• Samuel Davies
• George Whitefield
• Increased religious diversity in the colonies
• Encouraged colonists to challenge authority and established traditions

French and Indian War

Definition Characteristics
• War fought from 1754-1763 between France, Britain, and their allies for control of
North America
• Fought on three continents (Europe, North America, and Asia)
• Also known as the Seven Years’ War
• Fought over control of the Ohio River Valley
Key Events Participants
• Battle of Fort Duquesne
• Battle of Quebec
• 1763 Treaty of Paris
• Great Britain
• France
• Colonists
• Several Native American Tribes
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Revolution

Albany Plan of Union

Definition Characteristics
• The first formal proposal to form a united group of colonies
• Proposed by Ben Franklin
• Modeled after the Iroquois Confederacy
• Was proposed as a method of defending the colonies during the French and Indian
War
Format Result
• Each colony would send representatives to a Grand Council. The Grand Council would
raise armies, collect taxes, and make treaties.
• Colonist's rejected the idea because the did not want to lose local control of their
colonies

Stamp Act
Definition Characteristics
• Law which required all legal and commercial documents to carry an official stamp
showing that a tax had been paid
• Almost all colonial documents were subject to this tax
• Act was passed to help pay the debt Britain had accrued while governing the colonies
• Helps to cause the “no taxation without representation” rallying cry
Key Events Participants
• Passed in 1765
• Colonist’s hold Stamp Act Congress to protest the Stamp Act in the same year
• Stamp Act is repealed in 1766
• British Crown and Parliament
• Colonists
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Revolution

First Continental Congress

Definition Characteristics
• Meeting of delegates from most of the colonies in September 1774
• Held in Philadelphia
• Met in response to the Intolerable Acts
Key Events Participants
• Voted to boycott trade with Britain until the Intolerable Acts were repealed
• Each colony would begin training their own militias
• All colonies sent delegates to Congress except for Georgia

Loyalist
Definition Also Known As...
• Colonists who supported the British during the American Revolution
• Tories

Patriot
Definition Also Known As...
• Colonists who supported the rebels during the American Revolution
• Rebels
• Minutemen (soldiers)
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Revolution

Second Continental Congress

Definition Characteristics
• Meeting of delegates beginning May 10, 1775. This would be the government of
America during the Revolutionary War.
• Met in Philadelphia
• Met on the same day that the attack at Fort Ticonderoga occurred
Key Events Participants
• Voted to create a Continental Army led by George Washington
• Delegates included Sam Adams, John Adams, John Hancock, Ben Franklin, George
Washington and Patrick Henry

Declaration of Independence
Definition Characteristics
• 1776 Document that declared the freedom of the 13 Colonies from Great Britain
• Declared the colonies to be free from British rule, as the British government had
infringed upon their natural rights (Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness)
Influenced by... Participants
• Common Sense
• Enlightenment
• Great Awakening
• English Bill of Rights
• House of Burgesses
• Mayflower Compact
• John Locke
• Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, Ben Franklin, Robert Livingston, John Adams,
and John Hancock
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Revolution

American Revolution
Definition Characteristics
• War fought between the British and American colonists for the independence of the
American colonies
• Lasted from 1775-1781
• Ended with the creation of the United States
• American colonists became well known for their use of guerrilla warfare (Minutemen)
Key Events Participants
• Battles of Lexington and Concord
• Battle of Bunker Hill
• Battles at Saratoga
• Winter at Valley Forge
• Battle of Yorktown
• British, German Hessian Mercenaries, and Native Americans on one side
• Colonists and France on the other side

Treaty of Paris
Definition Characteristics
• 1783 treaty that officially ended the American Revolution
• US gained independence
• Set boundaries for the US
Issues Participants
• Both sides did not follow all the terms
• Animosity between the two sides would help lead to the War of 1812
• British
• Americans
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Revolution

Four Column Chart: Content Vocabulary

Term Definition In Your Own Words Example
Recognize Interpret Exemplify
Navigation Acts
*FOUR SQUARE
Laws passed by Great Britain to make sure that the British benefited economically from colonial trade
Enlightenment
*FOUR SQUARE
Philosophical movement that stressed human reason and scientific observation
Great Awakening
*FOUR SQUARE
Religious movement that swept through the colonies in the Early 1700s
French and Indian War
*FOUR SQUARE
War fought from 1754-1763 between France, Britain, and their allies for control of North America
Albany Plan of Union
*FOUR SQUARE
The first formal proposal to form a united group of colonies
Stamp Act
*FOUR SQUARE
Law which required all legal and commercial documents to carry an official stamp showing that a tax had
been paid
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Revolution
Term Definition In Your Own Words Example
First Continental Congress
*FOUR SQUARE
Meeting of delegates from most of the colonies in September 1774
Loyalist
*FOUR SQUARE
Colonists who supported the British during the American Revolution
Patriot
*FOUR SQUARE
Colonists who supported the rebels during the American Revolution
Second Continental Congress
*FOUR SQUARE
Meeting of delegates beginning May 10, 1775. This would be the government of America during the
Revolutionary War.
Declaration of Independence
*FOUR SQUARE
1776 Document that declared the freedom of the 13 Colonies from Great Britain
American Revolution
*FOUR SQUARE
War fought between the British and American colonists for the independence of the American colonies
Social Studies 7 Theme #2: Key Events in American History Page Number 9 Unit: Rebellion and
Revolution
Term Definition In Your Own Words Example
Treaty of Paris
*FOUR SQUARE
1783 treaty that officially ended the American Revolution
Ben Franklin
*People & Groups
American writer, publisher, scientist, inventor and diplomat. Helped to secure the assistance of France
during the Revolution.
John Locke
*People & Groups
English philosopher who argued that all people have natural rights (life, liberty, and property)
John Peter Zenger
*People & Groups
New York publisher who was part of the first colonial trial that supported the freedom of the press
George Washington
*People & Groups
Colonial leader who commanded the Continental Army during the American Revolution; First President of
the United States
King George III
*People & Groups
British monarch during the American revolution
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Revolution
Term Definition In Your Own Words Example
Patrick Henry
*People & Groups
Member of the House of Burgesses; supported the Patriots during the American Revolution
Sons of Liberty
*People & Groups
Secret colonial society formed to oppose British policies; organized boycotts, etc.
Daughters of Liberty
*People & Groups
Organization of colonial women formed to protest British policies
Committees of Correspondence
*People & Groups
Organization formed to exchange information about British policies and American resistance
Minutemen
*People & Groups
Group of armed civilians, trained to be ready to fight “at a minute’s warning”
Samuel Adams
*People & Groups
Leader of the Boston Sons of Liberty
John Adams
*People & Groups
Patriot who served as lawyer of British soldiers accused of murder in the Boston Massacre
Paul Revere
*People & Groups
Patriot who helped to spread the message of British troop movement
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Revolution
Term Definition In Your Own Words Example
Thomas Jefferson
*People & Groups
American patriot, well known as the writer of the Declaration of Independence
Marquis de Lafayette
*People & Groups
French general who helped to train and lead the colonial army during the American Revolution
English Bill of Rights
*Key Events
1689 laws that protected the rights of English subjects and Parliament
Pontiac’s Rebellion
*Key Events
Native American revolt against the British following the French and Indian War
Proclamation of 1763
*Key Events
British declaration that prohibited colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains
Quartering Act
*Key Events
Act that required the colonists to quarter, or house, British soldiers and provide them with supplies
Sugar Act
*Key Events
Law that placed a tax on sugar, molasses and other products shipped to the colonies
Townshend Acts
*Key Events
Acts passed by Parliament in 1767 that put a tax on imports to the colonies
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Revolution
Term Definition In Your Own Words Example
Boston Massacre
*Key Events
Incident in 1773, in which British troops fired on and killed American colonists
Boston Tea Party
*Key Events
Incident in 1773, when colonists protested British policies by boarding British ships and throwing their
cargoes of tea overboard
Intolerable Acts
*Key Events
Series of laws, known in Britain as the Coercive Acts, meant to punish Massachusetts and clamp down
on resistance in other colonies
Lexington
*Key Events
Opening battle of the Revolutionary War
Concord
*Key Events
Second battle of the Revolutionary war
Battles of Saratoga
*Key Events
A series of conflicts in 1777 outside of Albany, NY, often called the turning point of the Revolutionary War
Valley Forge
*Key Events
Winter camp in Pennsylvania were the Patriots stayed during the winter of 1777-1778
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Revolution
Term Definition In Your Own Words Example
Battle of Charles Town
*Key Events
Worst American loss of the American Revolution. Occurred in May 1780.
Battle of Yorktown
*Key Events
Final battle of the war. American and French forces defeated the British, leading to their surrender.
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Revolution

Document #1: British Imperial Trade Regulations, 1651-1733

From: The American Journey, A History of the United States, 6th Edition
Name of Act Key Features
Navigation Act of 1651
•Aimed to eliminate Dutch competition in overseas trade
•Required most goods to be carried in English or colonial ships
•Required crews to be at least half English
Navigation Act of 1660
•Required all colonial trade to be carried in English ships
•Required master and 3/4 of crew to be English
•Created list of goods (like sugar and tobacco) that could only be shipped to England or
another English colony
Staple Act of 1663 •Required products from Europe, Asia, and Africa to be sent to
England before going to the colonies
Plantation Duty Act of 1673
•Attempted to reduce smuggling
•Captains had to post bond that they would deliver goods that were on their ships or
pay the “plantation duty” that would be owed in England
Navigation Act of 1696
•Plugged loopholes in earlier laws
•Created courts in the colonies to enforce trade regulations
Woolens Act of 1699
•Banned the export of colonial wool cloth so that English made cloth would have no
competition
Hat Act of 1732 •Prohibited the export of colonial-made hats
Molasses Act of 1733
•Placed high taxes on any molasses imported into the colonies that was not from the
British West Indies
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Revolution

Document #2: The French and Indian War

From: [Link]
ils_gr5b_u4_c07_l1.pdf
War Between France and Britain
In the 1750s, Britain and France had colonies in North America. The British
wanted to settle in the Ohio River Valley and to trade with the Native
Americans who lived there. The French built forts to protect their trade with
the Indians. In 1754, George Washington led an army against the French.
He was defeated.
Britain declared war on France. The war for control of the valley was called
the French and Indian War. Most American Indians in the region were allies
of the French. The American Indians liked the French because they traded
but did not settle on the land.
In 1754, a congress of the British colonies met in Albany, New York.
Benjamin Franklin thought the colonies should work together to defeat
France. Each colony would still have its own government. They would also
create one government together to decide important issues. His idea was
called the Albany Plan of Union. The colonists rejected it. They did not want
to join together under one government.
Victory for Britain
In 1757, Britain sent more soldiers to North America. This helped defeat the
French in Canada. In 1763, Britain and France ended the war and signed
the Treaty of Paris. France gave Britain control of Canada and most of the
land east of the Mississippi River. British soldiers stayed in the Ohio River
Valley. The Indians wanted the soldiers to leave. An Ottawa chief named
Pontiac led the Indians in a war against the British. This was called
Pontiac’s Rebellion. The British defeated the Indians in less than a year. To
avoid more conflict with American Indians, Britain made the Proclamation
of 1763. It recognized the Indians’ right to the land. It did not allow colonists
west of the Appalachian Mountains. The colonists were angry. They wanted
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Revolution

to settle on the land. They did not want the British soldiers to live amongst
them to enforce the proclamation.
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Revolution

Document #3: The Stamp Act

From: [Link]
The Stamp Act
March 22, 1765
AN ACT for granting and applying certain stamp duties, and other duties, in
the British colonies and plantations in America, towards further defraying
the expenses of defending, protecting, and securing the same; and for
amending such parts of the several acts of parliament relating to the trade
and revenues of the said colonies and plantations, as direct the manner of
determining and recovering the penalties and forfeitures therein mentioned.
WHEREAS, by an act made in the last session of Parliament several duties
were granted, continued, and appropriated toward defraying the expenses
of defending, protecting, and securing the British colonies and plantations
in America; and whereas it is just and necessary that provision be made for
raising a further revenue within your majesty's dominions in America toward
defraying the said expenses; we, your majesty's most dutiful and loyal
subjects, the Commons of Great Britain, in Parliament assembled, have
therefore resolved to give and grant unto your majesty the several rates
and duties hereinafter mentioned; and do humbly beseech your majesty
that it may be enacted, and be it enacted by the king's most excellent
majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the lords spiritual and
temporal, and commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the
authority of the same, that from and after the first day of November, one
thousand seven hundred and sixty five, there shall be raised, levied,
collected, and paid unto his majesty, his heirs, and successors, throughout
the colonies and plantations in America, which now are, or hereafter may
be, under the dominion of his majesty, his heirs and successors:
For every skin or piece of vellum or parchment, or sheet or piece of paper,
on which shall be engrossed, written, or printed, any declaration, plea,
replication, rejoinder, demurrer or other pleading, or any copy thereof; in
any court of law within the British colonies and plantations in America, a
stamp duty of three pence.
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Revolution

For every skin or piece of vellum or parchment, or sheet or piece of paper,

on which shall be engrossed, written, or printed, any special bail, and
appearance upon such bail in any such court, a stamp duty of two shillings.
For every skin or piece of vellum or parchment, or sheet or piece of paper,
on which may be engrossed, written, or printed, any petition, bill, answer,
claim, plea, replication, rejoinder, demurrer, or other pleading, in any court
of chancery or equity within the said colonies and plantations, a stamp duty
of one shilling and six pence.
For every skin or piece of vellum or parchment, or sheet or piece of paper,
on which shall be engrossed, written, or printed, any copy of any position,
bill, answer, claim, plea, replication, rejoinder, demurrer, or other pleading
in any such court, a stamp duty of three pence.
For every skin or piece of vellum or parchment, or sheet or piece of paper,
on which shall be engrossed, written, or printed, any monition, libel,
answer, allegation, inventory, or renunciation in ecclesiastical matters, in
any court of probate court of the ordinary, or other court exercising
ecclesiastical jurisdiction within the said colonies and plantations, a stamp
duty of one shilling.
For every skin or piece of vellum or parchment, or sheet or piece of paper,
on which shall be engrossed, written, or printed, any copy of any will (other
than the probate thereof) monition, libel, answer, allegation, inventory, or
renunciation in ecclesiastical matters, in any such court, a stamp duty of six
pence.
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Revolution

Document #4: Resolutions of the Stamp Act Congress (October 1765)

From: [Link]
The members of this Congress, sincerely devoted, with the warmest
sentiments of affection and duty to His Majesty's Person and Government,
inviolably attached to the present happy establishment of the Protestant
succession, and with minds deeply impressed by a sense of the present
and impending misfortunes of the British colonies on this continent; having
considered as maturely as time will permit the circumstances of the said
colonies, esteem it our indispensable duty to make the following
declarations of our humble opinion, respecting the most essential rights
and liberties Of the colonists, and of the grievances under which they
labour, by reason of several late Acts of Parliament
I That His Majesty's subjects in these
colonies, owe the same allegiance to the Crown of Great-Britain, that is
owing from his subjects born within the realm, and all due subordination to
that august body the Parliament of Great Britain.
II That His Majesty's liege subjects in
these colonies, are entitled to all the inherent rights and liberties of his
natural born subjects within the kingdom of Great-Britain.
III That it is inseparably essential to
the freedom of a people, and the undoubted right of Englishmen, that no
taxes be imposed on them, but with their own consent, given personally, or
by their representatives.
IV That the people of these colonies
are not, and from their local circumstances cannot be, represented in the
House of Commons in Great- Britain.
V
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Revolution

That the only representatives of the people of these colonies, are persons
chosen therein by themselves, and that no taxes ever have been, or can be
constitutionally imposed on them, but by their respective legislatures.
VI That all supplies to the Crown,
being free gifts of the people, it is unreasonable and inconsistent with the
principles and spirit of the British Constitution, for the people of
Great-Britain to grant to His Majesty the property of the colonists.
VII That trial by jury is the inherent and
invaluable right of every British subject in these colonies.
VIII That the late Act of Parliament,
entitled, An Act for granting and applying certain Stamp Duties, and other
Duties, in the British colonies and plantations in America, etc., by imposing
taxes on the inhabitants of these colonies, and the said Act, and several
other Acts, by extending the jurisdiction of the courts of Admiralty beyond
its ancient limits, have a manifest tendency to subvert the rights and
liberties of the colonists.
IX That the duties imposed by several
late Acts of Parliament, from the peculiar circumstances of these colonies,
will be extremely burdensome and grievous; and from the scarcity of
specie, the payment of them absolutely impracticable.
X That as the profits of the trade of
these colonies ultimately center in Great- Britain, to pay for the
manufactures which they are obliged to take from thence, they eventually
contribute very largely to all supplies granted there to the Crown.
XI That the restrictions imposed by
several late Acts of Parliament, on the trade of these colonies, will render
them unable to purchase the manufactures of Great-Britain.
XII
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That the increase, prosperity, and happiness of these colonies, depend on

the full and free enjoyment of their rights and liberties, and an intercourse
with Great-Britain mutually affectionate and advantageous.
XIII That it is the right of the British
subjects in these colonies, to petition the King, Or either House of
Parliament.
Lastly, That it is the indispensable duty of these colonies, to the best of
sovereigns, to the mother country, and to themselves, to endeavor by a
loyal and dutiful address to his Majesty, and humble applications to both
Houses of Parliament, to procure the repeal of the Act for granting and
applying certain stamp duties, of all clauses of any other Acts of
Parliament, whereby the jurisdiction of the Admiralty is extended as
aforesaid, and of the other late Acts for the restriction of American
commerce.
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Revolution

Document #6: Several Eyewitness Accounts of the Boston Massacre

From: [Link]
[Link]
#1: On Friday, the second instant, a quarrel arose between some soldiers
of the 29th and the rope makers, journeymen and apprentices, which was
carried to that length, as to become dangerous to the lives of each party,
many of them being much wounded. This contentious disposition continued
until the Monday evening following, [March 5th] when a party of seven or
eight soldiers were detached from the main guard, under the command of
Captain Preston, and by his orders fired upon the inhabitants
promiscuously in King Street, without the least warning of their intention,
and killed three on the spot; another has since died of his wounds, and
others are dangerously, some it is feared mortally, wounded. Captain
Preston and his party are now in jail. An inquiry is now making into this
unhappy affair . . .
Sam Adams, John Hancock, and others,
#2: . . . I saw a party of soldiers come from the main guard, and draw
themselves up in a line from the corner of the Customs-house to the
sentry-box; the people still continued in the street, crying “Fire, fire, and be
damned,” and hove [throw] some more snow balls; whereupon I heard a
musket go off, and in the space of two or three seconds, I heard the word
“Fire” given, but by whom I do not know, and instantly the soldiers fired one
after another. I then stood between the sentry-box and the Custom-house
door. And further I know not.
William Tant
#3: About 9, some of the guard came to and informed me the town
inhabitants were assembling to attack the troops, that that the bells were
ringing as the signal for that purpose . . . In my way there, I saw people in
great commotion, and heard them use the most cruel and horrid threats
against
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Revolution

the troops . . . about 100 people passed . . . towards the custom house
where the king’s money is lodged. They immediately surrounded the sentry
[British soldier] posted there, and with clubs and other weapons threatened
to execute their vengeance on him. I was soon informed by a townsman
their intention was to carry off the soldier from his post and probably murder
him . . . he assured me he heard the mob declare they would murder him.
This I feared might be a prelude to their plundering [stealing] the king’s
chest. I immediately sent an officer and 12 men to protect the sentry and
the king’s money . . . they [the soldiers] rushed through the people and by
charging their bayonets in half circles, kept them [the townspeople] at a
little distance . . . the unhappy affair took place without any loading in their
pieces [muskets]; nor did I ever give orders for loading them. The mob still
increased and were more outrageous, striking their clubs...and calling out,
come on you rascals, you bloody backs, you lobster-backs, you scoundrels,
fire if you dare . . . fire . . . At this time I was between the soldiers and the
mob, parleying with and endeavoring all in my power to persuade them to
retire peacefully, but to no purpose.
Captain Thomas Preston
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Revolution

Document #7: Boston Tea Party, An Eyewitness Account by a

Participant
From: [Link]
Spoken by: George Hewes
"It was now evening, and I immediately dressed myself in the costume of
an Indian, equipped with a small hatchet, which I and my associates
denominated the tomahawk, with which, and a club, after having painted
my face and hands with coal dust in the shop of a blacksmith, I repaired to
Griffin's wharf, where the ships lay that contained the tea. When I first
appeared in the street after being thus disguised, I fell in with many who
were dressed, equipped and painted as I was, and who fell in with me and
marched in order to the place of our destination.
When we arrived at the wharf, there were three of our number who
assumed an authority to direct our operations, to which we readily
submitted. They divided us into three parties, for the purpose of boarding
the three ships which contained the tea at the same time. The name of him
who commanded the division to which I was assigned was Leonard Pitt.
The names of the other commanders I never knew. We were immediately
ordered by the respective commanders to board all the ships at the same
time, which we promptly obeyed. The commander of the division to which I
belonged, as soon as we were on board the ship, appointed me boatswain,
and ordered me to go to the captain and demand of him the keys to the
hatches and a dozen candles. I made the demand accordingly, and the
captain promptly replied, and delivered the articles; but requested me at the
same time to do no damage to the ship or rigging. We then were ordered
by our commander to open the hatches and take out all the chests of tea
and throw them overboard, and we immediately proceeded to execute his
orders, first cutting and splitting the chests with our tomahawks, so as
thoroughly to expose them to the effects of the water.
In about three hours from the time we went on board, we had thus broken
and thrown overboard every tea chest to be found in the ship, while those
in the other ships were disposing of the tea in the same way, at the same
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Revolution

time. We were surrounded by British armed ships, but no attempt was

made to resist us.
...The next morning, after we had cleared the ships of the tea, it was
discovered that very considerable quantities of it were floating upon the
surface of the water; and to prevent the possibility of any of its being saved
for use, a number of small boats were manned by sailors and citizens, who
rowed them into those parts of the harbor wherever the tea was visible, and
by beating it with oars and paddles so thoroughly drenched it as to render
its entire destruction inevitable."
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Document #8: Fighting at Lexington

From: [Link]
[Link]
Report of Brig. Gen. Percy to General Gage
In obedience to your Excellency's orders, I marched yesterday morning at 9
o'clock with the 1st brigade and two field pieces in order to cover the retreat
of the grenadiers and light infantry in their return from their expedition to
Concord.
As all the houses were shut up, and there was not the appearance of a
single inhabitant, I could get no intelligence concerning them till I had
passed Metonymy when I was informed that the rebels had attacked his
Majesty's troops who were retiring, overpowered by numbers, greatly
exhausted and fatigued, and having expended almost all their ammunition -
and at about 2 o'clock I met them retiring rough the town of Lexington - I
immediately ordered the 2 field pieces to fire at the rebels, and drew up the
brigade on a height.
The shot from the cannon had the desired effect, and stopped the rebels
for a little time, who immediately dispersed, and endeavored to surround us
being very numerous. As it began now to grow pretty late and we had 15
miles to retire, and only 36 rounds, I ordered the grenadiers and light
infantry to move of first; and covered them with my brigade sending out
very strong flanking parties which were absolutely very necessary, as there
was not a stone wall, or house, though before in appearance evacuated,
from whence the rebels did not fire upon us. As soon as they saw us begin
to retire, they pressed very much upon our rear guard, which for that
reason, I relieved every now and then.
In this manner we retired for 15 miles under incessant fire all round us, till
we arrived at Charlestown, between 7 and 8 in the evening and having
expended almost all our ammunition. We had the misfortune of losing a
good many men in the retreat, though nothing like the number which from
many circumstances I have reason to believe were killed of the rebels. His
Majesty's troops during the whole of the affair behaved with their usual
Social Studies 7 Theme #2: Key Events in American History Page Number 27 Unit: Rebellion and
Revolution

intrepidity and spirit nor were they a little exasperated at the cruelty and
barbarity of the rebels, who scalped and cut off the ears of some of the
wounded men who fell into their hands.
Social Studies 7 Theme #2: Key Events in American History Page Number 28 Unit: Rebellion and
Revolution

Document #9: Olive Branch Petition

From: [Link]
[Link]
Approved by the Continental Congress on July 5, 1775
To the King's Most Excellent Majesty. Most Gracious Sovereign,
We your Majesty's faithful subjects of the colonies of New-hampshire,
Massachusetts-bay, Rhode island and Providence plantations, Connecticut,
New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the counties of New Castle, Kent,
and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and South
Carolina, in behalf of ourselves and the inhabitants of these colonies, who
have deputed us to represent them in general Congress, entreat your
Majesty’s gracious attention to this our humble petition.
The union between our Mother Country and these colonies, and the energy
of mild and just government, produced benefits so remarkably important,
and afforded such an assurance of their permanency and increase, that the
wonder and envy of other Nations were excited, while they beheld Great
Britain rising to a power the most extraordinary the world had ever known.
Her rivals observing, that there was no probability of this happy connection
being broken by civil dissension, and apprehending its future effects, if left
any longer undisturbed, resolved to prevent her receiving such continual
and formidable accessions of wealth and strength, by checking the growth
of these settlements from which they were to be derived.
In the prosecution of this attempt events so unfavorable to the design took
place, that every friend to the interests of Great Britain and these colonies
entertained pleasing and reasonable expectations of seeing an additional
force and extension immediately given to the operations of the union
hitherto experienced, by an enlargement of the dominions of the Crown,
and the removal of ancient and warlike enemies to a greater distance.
At the conclusion therefore of the late war, the most glorious and
advantageous that ever had been carried on by British arms, your loyal
colonists having contributed to its success, by such repeated and
Social Studies 7 Theme #2: Key Events in American History Page Number 29 Unit: Rebellion and
Revolution

strenuous exertions, as frequently procured them the distinguished

approbation of your Majesty, of the late king, and of Parliament, doubted
not but that they should be permitted with the rest of the empire, to share in
the blessings of peace and the emoluments of victory and conquest. While
these recent and honorable acknowledgments of their merits remained on
record in the journals and acts of the august legislature the Parliament,
undefeated by the imputation or even the suspicion of any offense, they
were alarmed by a new system of Statutes and regulations adopted for the
administration of the colonies, that filled their minds with the most painful
fears and jealousies; and to their inexpressible astonishment perceived the
dangers of a foreign quarrel quickly succeeded by domestic dangers, in
their judgment of a more dreadful kind.
Nor were their anxieties alleviated by any tendency in this system to
promote the welfare of the Mother Country. For 'tho its effects were more
immediately felt by them, yet its influence appeared to be injurious to the
commerce and prosperity of Great Britain.
We shall decline the ungrateful task of describing the irksome variety of
artifices practiced by many of your Majesties ministers, the delusive
pretenses, fruitless terrors, and unavailing severities, that have from time to
time been dealt out by them, in their attempts to execute this impolitic plan,
or of tracing thru a series of years past the progress of the unhappy
differences between Great Britain and these colonies which have flowed
from this fatal source.
Your Majesty's ministers persevering in their measures and proceeding to
open hostilities for enforcing them, have compelled us to arm in our own
defense, and have engaged us in a controversy so peculiarly abhorrent to
the affection of your still faithful colonists, that when we consider whom we
must oppose in this contest, and if it continues, what may be the
consequences, our own particular misfortunes are accounted by us, only as
parts of our distress.
Knowing, to what violent resentments and incurable animosities, civil
discords are apt to exasperate and inflame the contending parties, we think
ourselves required by indispensable obligations to Almighty God, to your
Majesty, to our fellow subjects, and to ourselves, immediately to use all the
means in our power not incompatible with our safety, for stopping the
Social Studies 7 Theme #2: Key Events in American History Page Number 30 Unit: Rebellion and
Revolution

further effusion of blood, and for averting the impending calamities that
threaten the British Empire.
Thus called upon to address your Majesty on affairs of such moment to
America, and probably to all your dominions, we are earnestly desirous of
performing this office with the utmost deference for your Majesty; and we
therefore pray, that your royal magnanimity and benevolence may make the
most favorable construction of our expressions on so uncommon an
occasion. Could we represent in their full force the sentiments that agitate
the minds of us your dutiful subjects, we are persuaded, your Majesty
would ascribe any seeming deviation from reverence, and our language,
and even in our conduct, not to any reprehensible intention but to the
impossibility or reconciling the usual appearances of respect with a just
attention to our own preservation against those artful and cruel enemies,
who abuse your royal confidence and authority for the purpose of effecting
our destruction.
Attached to your Majesty's person, family and government with all the
devotion that principle and affection can inspire, connected with Great
Britain by the strongest ties that can unite societies, and deploring every
event that tends in any degree to weaken them, we solemnly assure your
Majesty, that we not only most ardently desire the former harmony between
her and these colonies may be restored but that a concord may be
established between them upon so firm a basis, as to perpetuate its
blessings uninterrupted by any future dissensions to succeeding
generations in both countries, and to transmit your Majesty's name to
posterity adorned with that signal and lasting glory that has attended the
memory of those illustrious personages, whose virtues and abilities have
extricated states from dangerous convulsions, and by securing happiness
to others, have erected the most noble and durable monuments to their
own fame.
We beg leave further to assure your Majesty that notwithstanding the
sufferings of your loyal colonists during the course of the present
controversy, our breasts retain too tender a regard for the kingdom from
which we derive our origin to request such a reconciliation as might in any
manner be inconsistent with her dignity or her welfare. These, related as
we are to her, honor and duty, as well as inclination induce us to support
and advance; and the apprehensions that now oppress our hearts with
Social Studies 7 Theme #2: Key Events in American History Page Number 31 Unit: Rebellion and
Revolution

unspeakable grief, being once removed, your Majesty will find your faithful
subjects on this continent ready and willing at all times, as they ever have
been with their lives and fortunes to assert and maintain the rights and
interests of your Majesty and of our Mother Country.
We therefore beseech your Majesty, that your royal authority and influence
may be graciously interposed to procure us relief from our afflicting fears
and jealousies occasioned by the system before mentioned, and to settle
peace through every part of your dominions, with all humility submitting to
your Majesty's wise consideration, whether it may not be expedient for
facilitating those important purposes, that your Majesty be pleased to direct
some mode by which the united applications of your faithful colonists to the
throne, in pursuance of their common councils, may be improved into a
happy and permanent reconciliation; and that in the meantime measures
be taken for preventing the further destruction of the lives of your Majesty's
subjects; and that such statutes as more immediately distress any of your
Majesty's colonies be repealed: For by such arrangements as your
Majesty's wisdom can form for collecting the united sense of your American
people, we are convinced, your Majesty would receive such satisfactory
proofs of the disposition of the colonists towards their sovereign and the
parent state, that the wished for opportunity would soon be restored to
them, of evincing the sincerity of their professions by every testimony of
devotion becoming the most dutiful subjects and the most affectionate
colonists.
That your Majesty may enjoy a long and prosperous reign, and that your
descendants may govern your dominions with honor to themselves and
happiness to their subjects is our sincere and fervent prayer.
Social Studies 7 Theme #2: Key Events in American History Page Number 32 Unit: Rebellion and
Revolution

Document #10: An Excerpt from Common Sense by Thomas Paine

From: [Link]
But admitting that matters were now made up, what would be the event? I
answer, the ruin of the continent. And that for several reasons.
First. The powers of governing still remaining in the hands of the king, he
will have a negative over the whole legislation of this continent. And as he
hath shown himself such an inveterate enemy to liberty, and discovered
such a thirst for arbitrary power; is he, or is he not, a proper man to say to
these colonies, "You shall make no laws but what I please." And is there
any inhabitant in America so ignorant, as not to know, that according to
what is called the present constitution, that this continent can make no laws
but what the king gives it leave to; and is there any man so unwise, as not
to see, that (considering what has happened) he will suffer no law to be
made here, but such as suit his purpose. We may be as effectually
enslaved by the want of laws in America, as by submitting to laws made for
us in England. After matters are made up (as it is called) can there be any
doubt, but the whole power of the crown will be exerted, to keep this
continent as low and humble as possible? Instead of going forward we shall
go backward, or be perpetually quarreling or ridiculously petitioning. — We
are already greater than the king wishes us to be, and will he not hereafter
endeavor to make us less? To bring the matter to one point. Is the power
who is jealous of our prosperity, a proper power to govern us? Whoever
says No to this question is an independent, for independency means no
more, than, whether we shall make our own laws, or, whether the king, the
greatest enemy this continent hath, or can have, shall tell us, "there shall
be no laws but such as I like."
But the king you will say has a negative in England; the people there can
make no laws without his consent. In point of right and good order, there is
something very ridiculous, that a youth of twenty-one (which hath often
happened) shall say to several millions of people, older and wiser than
himself, I forbid this or that act of yours to be law. But in this place I decline
this sort of reply, though I will never cease to expose the absurdity of it, and
only answer, that England being the King's residence, and America not so,
make quite another case. The king's negative here is ten times more
Social Studies 7 Theme #2: Key Events in American History Page Number 33 Unit: Rebellion and
Revolution

dangerous and fatal than it can be in England, for there he will scarcely
refuse his consent to a bill for putting England into as strong a state of
defense as possible, and in America he would never suffer such a bill to be
passed.
America is only a secondary object in the system of British politics, England
consults the good of this country, no farther than it answers her own
purpose. Wherefore, her own interest leads her to suppress the growth of
ours in every case which doth not promote her advantage, or in the least
interferes with it. A pretty state we should soon be in under such a second-
hand government, considering what has happened! Men do not change
from enemies to friends by the alteration of a name: And in order to show
that reconciliation now is a dangerous doctrine, I affirm, that it would be
policy in the king at this time, to repeal the acts for the sake of reinstating
himself in the government of the provinces; in order that HE MAY
ACCOMPLISH BY CRAFT AND SUBTLETY, IN THE LONG RUN, WHAT
HE CANNOT DO BY FORCE AND VIOLENCE IN THE SHORT ONE.
Reconciliation and ruin are nearly related.
Secondly. That as even the best terms, which we can expect to obtain, can
amount to no more than a temporary expedient, or a kind of government by
guardianship, which can last no longer than till the colonies come of age,
so the general face and state of things, in the interim, will be unsettled and
unpromising. Emigrants of property will not choose to come to a country
whose form of government hangs but by a thread, and who is every day
tottering on the brink of commotion and disturbance; and numbers of the
present inhabitants would lay hold of the interval, to dispose of their effects,
and quit the continent.
But the most powerful of all arguments, is, that nothing but independence, i.
e. a continental form of government, can keep the peace of the continent
and preserve it inviolate from civil wars. I dread the event of a reconciliation
with Britain now, as it is more than probable, that it will followed by a revolt
somewhere or other, the consequences of which may be far more fatal than
all the malice of Britain.
Thousands are already ruined by British barbarity; (thousands more will
probably suffer the same fate.) Those men have other feelings than us who
have nothing suffered. All they now possess is liberty, what they before
Social Studies 7 Theme #2: Key Events in American History Page Number 34 Unit: Rebellion and
Revolution

enjoyed is sacrificed to its service, and having nothing more to lose, they
disdain submission. Besides, the general temper of the colonies, towards a
British government, will be like that of a youth, who is nearly out of his time;
they will care very little about her. And a government which cannot
preserve the peace, is no government at all, and in that case we pay our
money for nothing; and pray what is it that Britain can do, whose power will
be wholly on paper, should a civil tumult break out the very day after
reconciliation? I have heard some men say, many of whom I believe spoke
without thinking, that they dreaded an independence, fearing that it would
produce civil wars. It is but seldom that our first thoughts are truly correct,
and that is the case here; for there are ten times more to dread from a
patched up connexion than from independence. I make the sufferers case
my own, and I protest, that were I driven from house and home, my
property destroyed, and my circumstances ruined, that as a man, sensible
of injuries, I could never relish the doctrine of reconciliation, or consider
myself bound thereby.
Social Studies 7 Theme #2: Key Events in American History Page Number 35 Unit: Rebellion and
Revolution

Document #11: Declaration of Independence

From: IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people
to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another,
and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal
station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a
decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare
the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that
they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that
among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure
these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just
powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of
Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the
People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its
foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to
them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence,
indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be
changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath
shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable,
than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are
accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing
invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute
Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government,
and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the
patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which
constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of
the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and
usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute
Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid
world.
Social Studies 7 Theme #2: Key Events in American History Page Number 36 Unit: Rebellion and
Revolution

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for
the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing
importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be
obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to
them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts
of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation
in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants
only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable,
and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose
of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with
manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to
be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have
returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the
mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and
convulsions within.
He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that
purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to
pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions
of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to
Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their
offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of
Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.
Social Studies 7 Theme #2: Key Events in American History Page Number 37 Unit: Rebellion and
Revolution

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the
Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the
Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our
constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their
Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: For protecting
them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should
commit on the Inhabitants of these States: For cutting off our Trade with all
parts of the world: For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: For
depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury: For transporting
us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offenses For abolishing the free
System of English Laws in a neighboring Province, establishing therein an
Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at
once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule
into these Colonies: For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most
valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested
with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection
and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and
destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to
complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with
circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most
barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation. He has
constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear
Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and
Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
Social Studies 7 Theme #2: Key Events in American History Page Number 38 Unit: Rebellion and
Revolution

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to

bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages,
whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages,
sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the
most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by
repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act
which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have
warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an
unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the
circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to
their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the
ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would
inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have
been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore,
acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold
them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in
General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the
world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority
of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That
these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent
States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and
that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is
and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States,
they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances,
establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which
Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration,
with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually
pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
Social Studies 7 Theme #2: Key Events in American History Page Number 39 Unit: Rebellion and
Revolution

Document #12: Winter at Valley Forge: A Letter by George

Washington
From: [Link]
Head Quarters, Valley Forge, February 16, 1778
Dear Sir: It is with great reluctance, I trouble you on a subject, which does
not fall within your province; but it is a subject that occasions me more
distress, than I have felt, since the commencement of the war; and which
loudly demands the most zealous exertions of every person of weight and
authority, who is interested in the success of our affairs. I mean the present
dreadful situation of the army for want of provisions, and the miserable
prospects before us, with respect to futurity. It is more alarming than you
will probably conceive, for, to form a just idea, it were necessary to be on
the spot. For some days past, there has been little less, than a famine in
camp. A part of the army has been a week, without any kind of flesh, and
the rest for three or four days. Naked and starving as they are, we cannot
enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery, that
they have not been ere this excited by their sufferings, to a general mutiny
or dispersion. Strong symptoms, however, discontent have appeared in
particular instances; and nothing but the most active efforts every where
can long avert so shocking a catastrophe.
Our present sufferings are not all. There is no foundation laid for any
adequate relief hereafter. All the magazines provided in the States of New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland, and all the immediate
additional supplies they seem capable of affording, will not be sufficient to
support the army more than a month longer, if so long. Very little been done
to the Eastward, and as little to the Southward; and whatever we have a
right to expect from those quarters, must necessarily be very remote; and is
indeed more precarious, than could be wished. When the aforementioned
supplies are exhausted, what a terrible crisis must ensue, unless all the
energy of the Continent is exerted to provide a timely remedy?
Impressed with this idea, I am, on my part, putting every engine to work,
that I can possibly think of, to prevent the fatal consequences, we have so
great a reason to apprehend. I am calling upon all those, whose stations
and influence enable them to contribute their aid upon so important an
occasion; and from your well known zeal, I expect every thing within the
Social Studies 7 Theme #2: Key Events in American History Page Number 40 Unit: Rebellion and
Revolution

compass of your power, and that the abilities and resources of the state
over which you preside, will admit. I am sensible of the disadvantages it
labors under, from having been so long the scene of war, and that it must
be exceedingly drained by the great demands to which it has been subject.
But, tho' you may not be able to contribute materially to our relief, you can
perhaps do something towards it; and any assistance, however trifling in
itself, will be of great moment at so critical a juncture, and will conduce to
keeping the army together till the Commissary's department can be put
upon a better footing, and effectual measures concerted to secure a
permanent and competent supply. What methods you can take, you will be
the best judge of; but, if you can devise any means to procure a quantity of
cattle, or other kind of flesh, for the use of this army, to be at camp in the
course of a month, you will render a most essential service to the common
cause. I have the honor etc.
– George Washington, letter to George Clinton (Feb. 16, 1778)
Social Studies 7 Theme #2: Key Events in American History Page Number 41 Unit: Rebellion and
Revolution

Document #13: A Summary of the Battle of Saratoga

From: [Link]
In hopes of crushing the American rebellion before foreign powers might
intervene, the British concocted a plan to invade New York from their base
in Canada in 1777. Essentially, two armies would follow waterways into the
Rebel territory, unite and capture Albany, New York. Once the town was in
their possession, these British forces would open communications to the
City of New York, and continue the campaign as ordered. It was believed
that by capturing the Hudson River’s head of navigation (Albany) and
already holding its mouth (the City of New York), the British could establish
their control of the entire river. Control of the Hudson could sever New
England-the hot bed of the rebellion-from the rest of the colonies.
The architect of the plan, General John Burgoyne, commanded the main
thrust through the Lake Champlain valley. Although the invasion had some
initial success with the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, the realities of untamed
terrain soon slowed the British triumphant advance into an agonizing crawl.
Worse for the British, a major column en route to seek supplies in Vermont
was overrun, costing Burgoyne almost irreplaceable 1000 men. Hard on
the heels of this disaster, Burgoyne’s contingent of Native Americans
decided to leave, word came from the west that the second British column
was stalled by the American controlled Fort Stanwix and that the main
British army would not be operating near the city of New York. Although his
plans were unraveling, Burgoyne refused to change his plans and collected
enough supplies for a dash to Albany.
For the Americans, the British delays and defeats had bought them enough
time to re-organize and reinforce their army. Under a new commander,
General Horatio Gates, the American army established itself at a defensive
position along the Hudson River called Bemis Heights. With fortifications on
the flood plain and cannon on the heights, the position dominated all
movement through the river valley. Burgoyne’s army was entirely
dependent upon the river to haul their supplies, and the American defenses
were an unavoidable and dangerous obstacle.
Social Studies 7 Theme #2: Key Events in American History Page Number 42 Unit: Rebellion and
Revolution

Learning of the Rebels’ position, Burgoyne attempted to move part of his

army inland to avoid the danger posed by the American fortifications. On
September 19th 1777, his columns collided with part of General Gates’
army near the abandoned farm of Loyalist John Freeman. During the long
afternoon, the British were unable to maintain any initiative or momentum.
Pinned in place, they suffered galling American gunfire as they strove to
hold their lines. Late in the day, reinforcements of German auxiliary troops
turned the tide for Burgoyne’s beleaguered forces. Although driven from the
battlefield, the British had suffered heavy casualties and Gates’ army still
blocked his move south to Albany.
General Burgoyne elected to hold what ground he had and fortify his
encampment, hoping for assistance from the City of New York. On October
7th, with supplies running dangerously low and options running out,
Burgoyne attempted another flanking move. The expedition was noticed by
the Rebels who fell upon Burgoyne’s column. Through the fierce fighting
the British and their allies were routed and driven back to their fortifications.
At dusk, one position held by German troops, was overwhelmed by
attacking Americans. Burgoyne had to withdraw to his inner works near the
river and the following day tried to withdraw northward toward safety.
Hampered by bad roads made worse by frigid downpours, the British
retreat made only eight miles in two days to a small hamlet called
Saratoga; Gates’ army followed and surrounded Burgoyne and his army.
With no other option Burgoyne capitulated on 17 October 1777.
The American victory at Saratoga was a major turning point in the war for
Independence, heartening the supporters of independence and convincing
France to enter in the war as an ally of the fledgling United States. It would
be French military assistance that would keep the rebel cause from
collapse and tip the balance at Yorktown, Virginia in 1781 – winning
America its ultimate victory as a free and independent nation. The war also
would reach to nearly every quarter of the globe as Spain and the
Netherlands would become involved. But more importantly ideals of the
rebel Americans would be exported as well, inspiring people throughout the
world with the hope of liberties and freedom.
Social Studies 7 Theme #2: Key Events in American History Page Number 43 Unit: Rebellion and
Revolution

Document #14: An Eyewitness Account of the Surrender at Yorktown,

by Dr. James Thatcher
From: [Link]
"At about twelve o'clock, the combined army was arranged and drawn up in
two lines extending more than a mile in length. The Americans were drawn
up in a line on the right side of the road, and the French occupied the left.
At the head of the former, the great American commander [George
Washington], mounted on his noble courser, took his station, attended by
his aides. At the head of the latter was posted the excellent Count
Rochambeau and his suite. The French troops, in complete uniform,
displayed a martial and noble appearance; their bands of music, of which
the timbrel formed a part, is a delightful novelty, and produced while
marching to the ground a most enchanting effect.
The Americans, though not all in uniform, nor their dress so neat, yet
exhibited an erect, soldierly air, and every countenance beamed with
satisfaction and joy. The concourse of spectators from the country was
prodigious, in point of numbers was probably equal to the military, but
universal silence and order prevailed.
It was about two o'clock when the captive army advanced through the line
formed for their reception. Every eye was prepared to gaze on Lord
Cornwallis, the object of peculiar interest and solicitude; but he
disappointed our anxious expectations; pretending indisposition, he made
General O'Hara his substitute as the leader of his army. This officer was
followed by the conquered troops in a slow and solemn step, with
shouldered arms, colors cased and drums beating a British march. Having
arrived at the head of the line, General O'Hara, elegantly mounted,
advanced to his excellency the commander-in-chief, taking off his hat, and
apologized for the non-appearance of Earl Cornwallis. With his usual
dignity and politeness, his excellency pointed to Major-General Lincoln for
directions, by whom the British army was conducted into a spacious field,
where it was intended they should ground their arms.
The royal troops, while marching through the line formed by the allied army,
exhibited a decent and neat appearance, as respects arms and clothing, for
Social Studies 7 Theme #2: Key Events in American History Page Number 44 Unit: Rebellion and
Revolution

their commander opened his store and directed every soldier to be

furnished with a new suit complete, prior to the capitulation. But in their line
of march we remarked a disorderly and unsoldierly conduct, their step was
irregular, and their ranks frequently broken.
But it was in the field, when they came to the last act of the drama, that the
spirit and pride of the British soldier was put to the severest test: here their
mortification could not be concealed. Some of the platoon officers
appeared to be exceedingly chagrined when giving the word "ground
arms," and I am a witness that they performed this duty in a very un-officer
like manner; and that many of the soldiers manifested a sullen temper,
throwing their arms on the pile with violence, as if determined to render
them useless. This irregularity, however, was checked by the authority of
General Lincoln. After having grounded their arms and divested themselves
of their accoutrements, the captive troops were conducted back to
Yorktown and guarded by our troops till they could be removed to the place
of their destination."