KQ2: Struggle for independence

• Factors:

  1. Rebellion to Resolution: the Coercive Acts
  2. Military Action, 1775
  3. Declaration of Independence
  4. Articles of Confederation
• What did the Coercive Acts aim to do?

  force patriots into submission and isolate Boston
• What were the impacts of the Coercive Acts?

  • Open rebellions lead to the first military engagement of the AWOI
  • Continental Congress (est 1774 sept), de facto govt, supports radicals, called Massachusets to arms, each colony to determine need for troops
  • Committee of Correspondence -> Committee of Safety, day-to-day running given to committes

  Early Feb Britain declared Massachusets in.a state of rebellion

  Earl of Chatham proposed removal of sugar acts and defining Continental Congress as Parliment BUT rejected by House of Lords
• Early fighting based in and around Boston with only 4k British troops available, British able to control Boston but lose the 12 other colonies

  • Gage (governor of Boston) knew where weapons were held but was unsuccessful in seizing them in Salem
  • R2!!, April, Gage tries again but munitions moved
• At Concord, minutemen and colonials hid + shot at troops, 73 British killed, relief soon arrived to save British from total disaster

  • Boston sieged and surrounded by 20k militia, reinforcements arrive at Boston in May
  • 12th June British launch full assault with 125k casualties, British to evacuate Boston
  • 23rd August, George III declared Boston in a state of open rebellion
• Why did the Declaration of Independence take time?

  It was pushed due to careful consideration and consultation of the democratic majority
• In June 1775 the immediate necessity for colonialists was finance and army organisation

  • issues paper money to cover the cost of war
  • George Washington as Commander of Continental Army
• Declaration of Independence and formal government took longer as intellectual and personal journeys happened along with the emphasis on democracy through communication with colonies
• George III’s rejection of Olive Branch Petition justified ideas that the patriots had no alternative, as backed by Thomas Paine’s Common Sense (12k copies sold)
• What happened between April and July 1776?

  Local assemblies authorised delegates to declare independence

  Declaration of Independence adopted by Congress on 4th July
• What were the Articles of Confederation?

  Created national government with Congress able to appoint congressmen from each state to draw up a constitution
• Focus on states working together, all powers not specifically granted to congress
• All states have to agree with any amendments with no president
• Powers of Congress:

  • borrow / issue money
  • Declare war
  • Draw up treaties as long as 9 states agree
  • Regulate post offices
• Congressmen elected annually

  • articles of confederation approved in nov 1777