colonists defeated invading British fleet in June 1776

June 7, 1776, "declared independence" , notion adopted on July 2, 1776

-British recognized independece of US-granted generous boundaries-Yankees retain a share in the fisheries of Newfoundland-Loyalists not further persecuted- debts owed to the British creditors must be paid

power from the people, individuals in republic must sacrifice personal interest to public good

May 1775- Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold captured British garrisons and secured priceless store of gunpowder and artillery

Burgoyne who was struggling through the north of Albany got trapped, forced to surrender in October 17, 1777 to American Horatio Gates- secured French aid and revived colonial cause

1776 wrote Common Sense, convinced American colonies that their true cause was independence not reconciliation with Britain, also supported the idea of a "republic"

Washington retired to Valley Forge after the loss in Philadelphia

Montgomery was joined at Quebec by Arnold, assault on Quebec was beaten off, Montgomery was killed, and Arnold injured, eventually turned traitor- but was caught

colonists invaded Canada in 1775 and Montgomery captured Montreal

Congress chose Washington to head army in Boston, political reasons: from Virginia, man of wealth so not a fortune-seeker, character: leadership, strength of character, moral force

guide American commissioners (no political connection, no military connection, only commercial connection)

General Benedict Arnold fought here and lost, but he won time

captured British forts Kaskaskia, Cahokia, and Vincennes in the Illinois country

colonials loyal to the king (Tories)- 16% of population, people of education + wealth, older generation, Anglican clergy, (Loyalists were roughly handled, imprisoned, and a few hung, many estates were confiscated and sold)

1784, Indians (Senecas, Mohawks, Cayuhas, and Onondagas) forced to cede land because they were allies of George III

April 1775 to July 1776- colonists were split between loyalty to the king and shooting the king's soldiers

Thomas Jefferson wrote this on July 4, 1776, talked about the natural rights of humankind (king denied these rights), French Declaration of the Rights of Man were made 13 years later based on this

American privately owned armed ships who were authorized by Congress to prey on enemy shipping- captured 600 British prizes

December 26, 1776- Washington captured 1000 Hessians after stealthily crossing back on the Delaware

American rebels (Whigs)

British General John Burgoyne would push down the Lake Champlain route from Canada, General Howe's troops in New York could meet Burgoyne near Albany, Colonel Barry St. Legor could come in from the west by Lake Ontario and Mohawk Valley

Washington and an army escaped to Manhattan Island then to Delaware River, British general Howe did not crush American forces speedily, battle continued at Trenton (see Trenton)

last ditch effort at peace that proclaimed American loyalty to the crown, begging king to prevent further hostilities- failed