The American Revolution 211

The Legacy of the War

MAIN IDEA WHY IT MATTERS NOW TERMS & NAMES

44

Why the Americans WonIn November 1783, the last British ships and troops left New York City,and American troops marched in. As Washington said good-bye to hisofficers in a New York tavern, he hugged each one. Tears ran down hisface. He became so upset that he had to leave the room.

Earlier in the fall, Washington had written a farewell letter to hisarmies. In it, he praised them by saying that their endurance “throughalmost every possible suffering and discouragement for the space of eightlong years, was little short of a standing miracle.”

By their persistence, the Americans won independence even thoughthey faced many obstacles. As you have read, they lacked training andexperience. They were often short of supplies and weapons. By contrast,the British forces ranked among the best trained in the world. They were

After the war, the new nation faced

issues such as a high national debt

and calls for equality.

To promote liberty, some states

passed laws outlawing slavery and

protecting religious freedom.

Treaty of Paris of 1783

republicanism

ElizabethFreeman

Richard Allen

ONE AMERICAN’S STORYIn 1776, 15-year-old Joseph Plumb Martin of

Connecticut signed up to fight for the Americans.

He stayed with the army until the war ended. Many

years later, Martin wrote about leaving the army.

A VOICE FROM THE PAST

There was as much sorrow as joy. . . . We had livedtogether as a family of brothers for several years, . . .had shared with each other the hardships, dangers,and sufferings incident to a soldier’s life; hadsympathized with each other in trouble and sickness;. . . And now we were to be . . . parted forever.

Joseph Plumb Martin, quoted in The Revolutionaries

At war’s end, Martin and his country faced an uncertain

future. How would the United States recover from the war?

What issues would confront the new nation? Section 4

discusses those questions.

Joseph PlumbMartin may havedressed like thisAmerican soldier.

1776 1777 1778

CALIFORNIA STANDARDS

7.11.3 Examine the origins of moderncapitalism; the influence of mercantil-ism and cottage industry; the ele-ments and importance of a marketeconomy in seventeenth-centuryEurope; the changing internationaltrading and marketing patterns,including their locations on a worldmap; and the influence of explorersand map makers.

8.1.3 Analyze how the AmericanRevolution affected other nations,especially France.

8.1.4 Describe the nation's blend ofcivic republicanism, classical liberalprinciples, and English parliamentarytraditions.

8.4.3 Analyze the rise of capitalism andthe economic problems and conflictsthat accompanied it (e.g., Jackson'sopposition to the National Bank; earlydecisions of the U.S. Supreme Courtthat reinforced the sanctity of con-tracts and a capitalist economic systemof law).

8.6.4 Study the lives of blackAmericans who gained freedom inthe North and founded schools andchurches to advance their rights andcommunities.

Taking Notes

Use your chart totake notes about the results of the AmericanRevolution.

experienced and well-supplied professional soldiers. Yet the Americanshad certain advantages that enabled them to win.

1. Better leadership. British generals were overconfident and madepoor decisions. By contrast, Washington learned from his mistakes.After early defeats, he developed the strategy of dragging out thewar to wear down the British. Despite difficulties, he never gave up.

2. Foreign aid. Britain’s rivals, especially France, helped America.Foreign loans and military aid were essential to America’s victory.

3. Knowledge of the land. The Americans knew the land where thewar took place and used that knowledge well. The British could con-trol coastal cities but could not extend their control to the interior.

4. Motivation. The Americans had more reason to fight. At stake werenot only their lives but also their property and their dream of liberty.

The Treaty of ParisAs the winners, the Americans won favorable terms in the Treaty ofParis of 1783, which ended the Revolutionary War. The treaty includedthe following six conditions:

1. The United States was independent.2. Its boundaries would be the Mississippi River on the west, Canada

on the north, and Spanish Florida on the south.3. The United States would receive the right to fish off Canada’s

Atlantic Coast, near Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.4. Each side would repay debts it owed the other.5. The British would return any enslaved persons they had captured.6. Congress would recommend that the states return any property

they had seized from Loyalists.Neither Britain nor the United States fully lived up to the treaty’s

terms. Americans did not repay the prewar debts they owed British mer-chants or return Loyalist property. For their part, the British did not return

212

The American painter BenjaminWest began a portrait of themen who negotiated the Treatyof Paris. But the British officialsrefused to pose, so West neverfinished the painting. From leftto right are the American offi-cials John Jay, John Adams,Benjamin Franklin, and two others.

What does this paintingreveal about the Britishresponse to losing the war?

A. EvaluatingWhat do youthink wasWashington’sbest characteristicas a leader?A. PossibleResponses Hiscourage, his strat-egy of wearingdown the British,his perseverance,his willingness tosuffer for hiscause, his abilityto inspire his men

runaway slaves. They also refused togive up military outposts in the GreatLakes area, such as Fort Detroit.

Costs of the WarNo one knows exactly how many peopledied in the war, but eight years of fight-ing took a terrible toll. An estimated25,700 Americans died in the war, and1,400 remained missing. About 8,200Americans were wounded. Some wereleft with permanent disabilities, such asamputated limbs. The British sufferedabout 10,000 military deaths.

Many soldiers who survived the warleft the army with no money. They hadreceived little or no pay for their service.Instead of back pay, the governmentgave some soldiers certificates for land in the West. Many men sold thatland to get money for food and other basic needs.

Both the Congress and the states had borrowed money to finance theconflict. The war left the nation with a debt of about $27 million—adebt that would prove difficult to pay off.

The losers of the war also suffered. Thousands of Loyalists lost theirproperty. Between 60,000 and 100,000 Loyalists left the United Statesduring and after the war. Among them were several thousand AfricanAmericans and Native Americans, including Joseph Brant. Most of theLoyalists went to Canada. There they settled new towns and provinces.They also brought English traditions to areas that the French had settled.Even today, Canada has both French and English as official languages.

The American Revolution 213

120°

W

40°W

80°W

40°N

60°W

100°

W140°

W

20°N

60°N

Claimed byU.S. and Spain

Claimed by U.Sand Great Britain

Claimed byU.S andGreat Britain

Claimed byGreat Britain,

Spain, and Russia

SPANISHTERRITORY

BRITISHTERRITORY

RUSSIANTERRITORY

UNITEDSTATES

FRENCHTERRITORY

MEXICO

QUEBEC

A T L A N T I CO C E A N

HudsonBay

P A C I F I CO C E A N

Gulf of Mexico

0

0

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1,000 Kilometers

Postwar Boundaries, 1783

BackgroundEven afterGeorge RogersClark’s Westernvictories, theBritish stayed atFort Detroit.

B. PossibleResponses Theywere afraid ofreprisals; theywanted to remainunder British rule.

B. AnalyzingCauses Why doyou think theLoyalists left theUnited States?

SkillbuilderAnswers1. about 15,7002. about 28 percent

CONNECTIONS TO MATH

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

AmericansHessiansBritish

Nu

mb

er

of

death

s*

Military Deaths in the American Revolution

American Deaths

Sources: World Book Encyclopedia; An Outline History of the American Revolution

* These figures are estimates.No figures available for French deaths.

10,000 died in camp(of starvation, exposure, or disease)

8,500 died in British prisons

7,200 died in battle

SKILLBUILDER Interpreting Charts1. How many more deaths did the Americans suffer than the British?2. What percentage of American deaths occurred in battle?

Issues After the WarThe American Revolution was not just a war, but a change in ideasabout government. Before the war, Americans had demanded theirrights as English citizens. But after declaring their independence, theyreplaced that goal with the idea of republicanism. This idea stated thatinstead of a king, the people would rule. The government would obtainits authority from the citizens and be responsible to them.

For this system to work, individuals would have to place the good ofthe country above their own interests. At first, only men were allowed totake part in governing by voting or holding public office—and not evenall men. However, women could help the nation by teaching their chil-dren the virtues that benefited public life. Such virtues included honesty,duty, and the willingness to make sacrifices.

As part of their liberty, Americans called for more religious freedom.Before the war, some laws discriminated against certain religions. Somestates had not allowed Jews or Catholics to hold public office. After the

Free EnterpriseOne cause of the Revolution was the colonists’ resentment ofBritish mercantilism. Parliament passed laws to discourage thecolonists from developing their own manufacturing and to forcethem to buy British goods. During the war, British economic con-trol weakened. British exports of woolens to the colonies droppedfrom £645,900 in 1774 to only £2,540 in 1776. As a result, thecolonists were able to make more economic choices—for example,they could choose to manufacture wool clothing.

The end of Britain’s mercantilist control allowed free enterpriseto begin to develop in the United States. In a free-enterprise sys-tem, business can be conducted freely based on the choices ofindividuals. The government does not control the system, but onlyprotects and regulates it.

CONNECT TO HISTORY1. Analyzing Causes Why do

you think the colonists wereable to manufacture their ownwool clothing during the war?

See Skillbuilder Handbook, page R11.

CONNECT TO TODAY2. Comparing Think about a mall

where you shop. Nameexamples of businesses thatcompete with each other.Compare the methods they use to attract customers.

For more about free enterprise . . .

RESEARCH LINKSCLASSZONE .COM

Competition encourages businesses to improve goods andservices and to keep prices down.

Property is owned by individualsand businesses.

The desire to make a profit motivates businesspeople.

Individuals, not the government,decide what to buy and what tomanufacture and sell.

The government protects private property and makes sure businesses operate fairly.

A

B

C

D

E

D

214 CHAPTER 7

C

A

B

A

E

war, states began to abolish those laws. They also ended the practice ofusing tax money to support churches.

Many people began to see a conflict between slavery and the ideal ofliberty. Vermont outlawed slavery, and Pennsylvania passed a law to freeslaves gradually. Individual African Americans also tried to end slavery.For example, Elizabeth Freeman sued for her freedom in a Massachusettscourt and won. Her victory in 1781 and other similar cases ended slaveryin that state. Freeman later described her desire for freedom.

A VOICE FROM THE PAST

Anytime while I was a slave, if one minute’s freedom had been offered tome, and I had been told I must die at the end of that minute, I wouldhave taken it—just to stand one minute on God’s earth a free woman.

Elizabeth Freeman, quoted in Notable Black American Women

With freedom, African Americans began to form their own insti-tutions. For example, the preacher Richard Allen helped start theFree African Society. That society encouraged African Americans tohelp each other. Allen also founded the African Methodist EpiscopalChurch, the first African-American church in the United States.

The American Revolution also influenced people in other countries.The Declaration of Independence was widely circulated in France, andhelped inspire the French Revolution in 1789. Revolutionaries in LatinAmerica began to rise up against colonial powers in the late 1700s andearly 1800s. By 1830, most of the former European colonies in Centraland South America had won independence.

Perhaps the main issue facing Americans after the war was how to shapetheir national government. American anger over British taxes, violation ofrights, and control of trade had caused the war. Now the United States neededa government that would protect citizens’ rights and economic freedom. InChapter 8, you will read how U.S. leaders worked to create such a government.

The American Revolution 215

2. Using GraphicsUse a chart like the onebelow to classify the terms ofthe Treaty of Paris accordingto which side they favored.(Do not list terms that don’tfavor either side.) (REP5)

3. Main Ideasa. What advantages helpedthe Americans win theRevolutionary War? (HI2)

b. How did the end of thewar affect Loyalists? (HI2)

c. What were the economiccosts of the war to individu-als and to the government?(HI6)

4. Critical ThinkingRecognizing Effects Howdid republicanism shape theUnited States after the war?(CST1)

THINK ABOUT• American ideas about

government• the roles men and women

could play in public life• religious freedom• the antislavery movement

1. Terms & NamesExplain the

significance of:• Treaty of Paris

of 1783• republicanism• Elizabeth Freeman• Richard Allen

Section Assessment

ACTIVITY OPTIONS

SPEECHMATH

Look up the U.S. population in 1780. Calculate what percentage of Americanpeople died in the war. Report your findings in a speech or a pie graph. (REP3)

Terms of the Treaty of Paris

Favorable to Favorable toAmerica Britain

4

BackgroundOnly Northernstates ended slav-ery after the war.In the North, slav-ery was not asimportant a partof the economyas in the South.

C. SolvingProblems Howdid free AfricanAmericans takeon the responsi-bility of trying toimprove theirlives?C. PossibleResponse Theybegan self-helporganizations andAfrican-Americanchurches.

Elizabeth Freemanfought a courtcase that helpedend slavery inMassachusetts.

TERMS & NAMESBriefly explain the significance of each of the following.

1. George Washington 6. John Paul Jones

2. mercenary 7. Lord Cornwallis

3. Battles of Saratoga 8. Battle of Yorktown

4. ally 9. Treaty of Paris of 1783

5. Marquis de Lafayette 10. republicanism

REVIEW QUESTIONSThe Early Years of the War (pages 193–199)

1. What motives led African Americans to fight forthe British? The Americans? (HI2)

2. How did women help the American war effort? (HI1)

3. What events led to the British defeat at Saratoga?(HI2)

The War Expands (pages 200–205)

4. What foreign countries helped America? How?(HI1)

5. What were conditions like at Valley Forge? (HI1)The Path to Victory (pages 206–210)

6. What two Southern ports did the British capture?(HI1)

7. How did America’s ally France contribute to thevictory at Yorktown? (HI2)

The Legacy of the War (pages 211–215)

8. For what did Washington praise his army in hisfarewell letter? (REP4)

9. What land did the United States acquire fromBritain as a result of the Treaty of Paris? (HI2)

10. What three states outlawed slavery after the war?(HI2)

CRITICAL THINKING1. USING YOUR NOTES: SEQUENCING EVENTS

Using your completed time line, answer the questionsbelow. (CST2)

a. What were the main events of 1776 and 1777?

b. While George Rogers Clark was capturing Kaskaskia,what was happening in the South?

2. ANALYZING LEADERSHIP

George Washington was the most beloved Americanleader of his time. What qualities do you think madehim such a respected leader? (HI1)

3. THEME: CITIZENSHIP

What Revolutionary leaders displayed civic virtue byputting the good of the nation ahead of their owninterests? Explain your answer. (HI1)

4. RECOGNIZING EFFECTS

How did Britain’s loss in the war allow free enterpriseto develop in the United States? (HI2)

5. APPLYING CITIZENSHIP SKILLS

How was the writing of The American Crisis an exam-ple of good U.S. citizenship? (REP4)

How did the sacrifices you discussed before you readthe chapter compare with what Patriots really did?

VISUAL

SUMMARY

7Chapter ASSESSMENT

The American Revolution (CST2)

commanded the ContinentalArmy.

fought for the Americans.

surrendered to the Americansat Saratoga.won a major naval victory forAmerica.helped hold the Westernfrontier for America.surrendered at Yorktown,ending the war.

helped finance the war for America.aided soldiers by bringingthem water in battle.wrote The American Crisisto inspire Americans.was a diplomat to France and Britain.was captured by the Britishbut would not betray America.defended her Georgia homeagainst Loyalist raiders.

Military Civilian

216 CHAPTER 7

1776 1777 1778 1779 1780 1781 1782 1783

George Washington

Marquis de Lafayette

John Burgoyne

John Paul Jones

George Rogers Clark

Lord Cornwallis

Haym Salomon

Molly Pitcher

Thomas Paine

Benjamin Franklin

James Forten

Nancy Hart

People and Events of the Revolution

Interact with History

The American Revolution 217

TEST PRACTICECLASSZONE .COM

Use the map and your knowledge of U.S. history toanswer questions 1 and 2.

Additional Test Practice, pp. S1–S33.

1. In what state was the Battle of Yorktown fought?(8.1)

A. North Carolina

B. Pennsylvania

C. South Carolina

D. Virginia

2. Which of the following describes the route of theforces led by Cornwallis? (8.1)

A. south from York, PA to Yorktown, VA

B. south from New York to Yorktown, VA

C. north from Wilmington, NC to Richmond, VA

D. north from Richmond, VA to Wilmington, NC

This quotation is from Thomas Paine discussing theRevolutionary War. Use the quotation and yourknowledge of U.S. history to answer question 3.

PRIMARY SOURCE

These are the times that try men’s souls. The summersoldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis,shrink from the service of their country; but he thatstands it now, deserves the love and thanks of manand woman.

Thomas Paine, The American Crisis

3. Who is Paine referring to as “the summer soldierand the sunshine patriot”? (7.11.5)

A. Americans who support the war only when it isgoing well

B. Loyalists who never support the war efforts

C. Americans who show continuous support forthe war

D. soldiers who perform best in good weather

James R.

VIRGINIA

N.C.

S.C.

MD.DEL.

PA.

N.J. N.Y.New York

Philadelphia

Richmond

MountVernon

York

Wilmington

YorktownOct. 19, 1781

Battle of the CapesSept. 5, 1781

Washington and Rochambeau, Aug. 1781

Wayne

CornwallisMay 1781

De Grasse1781

Graves and Hood1781

Lafayette

American and allied forcesBritish forcesAmerican and allied victory

0

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A T L A N T I CO C E A N

Battle of Yorktown, 1781

CLASSZONE .COMINTERNET ACTIVITY

ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT1. WRITING ABOUT HISTORY

Suppose you are a soldier at Valley Forge during thewinter of 1777–1778. Write daily journal entries forone week, describing the harsh conditions of the campand your physical and emotional state. (REP5)

• Research Valley Forge in books or encyclopedias.

• Try to locate primary sources such as letters, diaries,and journals of soldiers at Valley Forge.

2. COOPERATIVE LEARNING

Working in groups, prepare a talk show in whichguests discuss which side to take in the RevolutionaryWar. One group member should be the host. Othermembers should be guests. Consider some of the fol-lowing guests: the wife of an American soldier, anenslaved African American, an Iroquois chief, a Quakerminister, and an employee of the British government.(REP5)

INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGYCREATING A MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATION

Choose a major battle of the Revolution. Then use theInternet and other library resources to research thatbattle. Gather information that represents theAmerican and British points of view. (REP4)

• Locate details about the battle, as well as primarysources, such as quotations from participants onboth sides. Make copies of any images you find,being careful to credit your sources.

• Find music of the time period and sound effects.

• Once you have collected these audio and visualmaterials, combine them to create a multimediapresentation.

For more about the battles . . .

STANDARDS-BASED ASSESSMENT