This is a Revolutionary War

In order to make independence a reality Patriots had to win a bloody war against the most powerful country at the time. The British population was four times greater than the colonist's, which was 2.5 million. One fifth of this 2.5 were loyalist, another was neutral, and another slaves, minus women and kids. Numerical odds weren't good for the Patriots, and that wasn't their only disadvantage. British were great manufacturers of weapons, had an established government, and a trained army with plenty of supplies.

Patriots on the other hand were barely beginning a new type of government never seen before in the world, their army was low on supplies and had zero to little training. However, Patriots had one great advantage: British soldiers were fighting for a king, while patriots were fighting for their country and liberty. Even though this was one advantage, it was very powerful. England had defeated many European armies, but all these consisted of fighting, winning, and the losing team surrendering. Patriots wouldn't give up after losing one, two, three, or five battles. They kept coming back for more, until they eventually achieved their independence.

British never took Patriots seriously. They saw them as a small enemy which could be easily defeated. It is now evident they underestimated the power of a country fighting for its freedom, and that we can call their first great mistake. Their Lord Commander at the time, Lord William Howe believed that if he could defeat the Continental Army and take over Philadelphia, which was the Patriot capital at the time, the war would be won. He achieved both things, yet americans kept coming for more. Britain never understood this wasn't a European war, this was a revolutionary war. By hiring mercenaries they fed even more the Patriot's anger, and eventually lost the war.

The Colonist Declare Indepence

This declaration did not only brought an independent nation,also it got to bring allegiances,liberty and as in a part it state "grace".Declaring Independence was not the only thing they had to fight for it get to convince certain colonies and the members of the continental congress with at the end it was worth the effort.Although this take days with all integrity they got what they wanted,what there goal was having and independent nation as it is.

Spring 1776
Paines idea had bring momentum to the colonies shift.Congress draft a document declaring american independence.This document would also explain the reasons,why they were declaring.The declaraion came 442 days after the shots were fired at lexington and concord that leave a mark and conflict between the both colonies.They came various oppositions after the stamp act was passed,which led to the taxation without representation.The declaration of independence state not only that the colonies wanted independent nation but also peace between them.

July 2nd
Congress voted that America  was free,2 days laters they approved it.Delegates of the 2nd continental congress sign it.Members of the continetal congres were unwilling and not in favor to declare independence.On July 4 the declaration was adopted by 12 colonies after all.With the signing of the treaty of Paris with britain the united stes became and indepent nation.
 Thomas Jefferson wrothe the declaration and 3rd president,he also denounced the king as tyrant.The declaration has a long list of grievences that provided the rebellion.Declariong independece was one thing,fighting for it was different,war went on for 4 years.

"All men are created equal natural rights"

 

Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine

On January 29, 1737, Thomas Paine was born in England. He dropped out of school by the age of 12, tried being a sea adventurer, and finally ended up as a tax collector in England. He didn't excel at this job, so he turned to journalism. He met Benjamin Franklin in London the year 1774, Franklin helped him immigrate to Philadelphia. He suddenly became very important, when he inspired momentum all around the colonies with nothing but a small pamphlet called "Common Sense". "Common Sense" was about a strong defense of American independence from England.
This small but powerful book inspired the drafting of the declaration of independence.

Paine then traveled with the Continental Army but didn't succeed as a soldier either. However, he then published a book called "The American Crisis", which inspired the soldiers. This book was also a great success, just as his earlier publishes. Almost everyone read it or had it read to them. However, Paine decided to return to Europe and look for new adventures. He worked on candles and an iron bridge in France, and later wrote another book concerning the French Revolution, "The Rights of Man".

As you might expect, Paine was outlawed in England due to his views.  He would have been arrested, but he fled for France to join the National Convention. He was imprisoned in France the year 1793, for not endorsing the execution of Louis XVI. During his time in jail he wrote another book about church, which was a great success too. A year later, 1794, he was freed after almost being executed. He lived in France until 1892, when he returned to America because Thomas Jefferson invited him. He discovered all his contributions to the american revolution were eradicated because of his religious views. Paine died alone on June 8,1809 in New York City.

Patriots and Loyalists

You would think the colonists were ALL joining in on the same cause. However they were actually divided into Patriots, Loyalists, and Neutrals. Neutrals weren't in or out on any cause, they simply remained unmoving and silent. The two other groups did have very noticeable differences and beliefs. Patriots were the people who supported the American Revolution and were all about the US becoming an independent country. The people categorized as Loyalists were, naturally, the ones loyal to the British. They believed it was their duty to obey the British. Some of them thought British ruling was better, others were afraid of the British army, etc. Nevertheless they did not support the Patriots in any way, shape or form and they had their reasons.

Most of the colonies supported the continental congress,the other prefer te brititsh rule.They were called the loyalist who were in favor of the law and order.The loyalist saw the patriots as vermin (objectable and disgusting animals),they dread the patriots crows.Although some of the loyalists didn’t like the Britain taxes it would matter cause they will obey parliament.Also loyalist believed that if this keeps happening it will led to a destructive war and the doubt the patriots could win.

Jonathan Sewell who was a loyalist and John Adams a patriot,both where friends.During a conversation of both Sewell warns Adams,they britain will not change their system and will keep it as it is,and that is its necessary  England will come with all its force.About 1/5 of the loyalist remain Loyal the rest remain equal.Everyone had a different view or either thought about the loyalist making the thought that they were wealthy who will not care to sell their partners to the colonies for interest.Loyalist still remain hating taxes and the controversive between the patriots and loyalist remain.

Lexington and Concord

The Battle of Lexington and Concord

On April 19, 1775 war erupted. Loyalists had informed General Thomas Gage, governor of Massachusetts, about a Provincial Congress going on in Lexington. Gage ordered his men to march to Lexington and capture Samuel Adams and John Hancock, and then to Concord to seize the Patriot's weapons which they had been piling. As the British army marched towards Lexington, 3 patriots rode their horses as fast as they could so they could warn their fellow patriots. Paul Revere was one of the three, famous for his popular phrase "The British are coming, the British are coming!" 



The Patriots were able to assemble 70 militia that the British would encounter once they arrived, while Samuel Adams and John Hancock flew the scene.

The British arrived and asked the patriots to leave, however one of the patriots shoots- the first shot of the whole war- heard all around the world. Fire breaks and 8 patriots are killed. The Red Coats march to Concord, and find the weapons gone too. In their way back to Boston they find skirmish with minutemen, that are hidden behind barns and trees. The minutemen are able to wound and kill more than 200 British soldiers. The attack turned out to be a success because the British were visible to plain sight, while the patriots were hiding and had the element of surprise.

You will notice much of the patriot's triumph is due to timing, they were very quick when it came to improvising on the spot. Once the Red Coats returned to Boston the patriots confined them by surrounding the city. The loyalist feeling they would be more secure in Boston, seek refuge there too. Now both loyalist and soldiers are confined and unable to disperse. The only question that remains is: Will the other colonies join New England in the war against the most powerful country in the world?

The Boston Massacre

        Massacre. When we hear the word massacre we think of blood and death. The dictionary defines it as "the act or an instance of killing a number of usually helpless or unresisting human beings under circumstances of atrocity or cruelty". The Boston Massacre was the murder of five Colonists by the hands of British troops. It was basically a fight between the two that ended quite badly and had a heavy impact on the rebellion against Parliament. Since the tension Colonists had with the the tax-imposing British was growing by the second, a tragedy like this was bound to happen. Naturally, this angered the Colonists even more and caused them to fight harder and harder for their liberty.

Now lets move on to the story of the actual event. It all started with a group of Colonists enraged by the taxes Parliament was imposing upon them. These men decided to gather some sticks, snowballs, and stones and head to a British sentential. They started attacking the place as an act of protest and rebellion. Nevertheless this location had their British troops which where obviously ordered to fight back and protect the place. There were about 50 citizens in the mob so a British officer called on more soldiers. These were attacked as well so in return they instinctively fired into the crowd. They killed three on the spot and two died later on.

When the affair was over the soldiers were called into trial. Typically, the Colonists were furious and wanted these men sanctioned cruelly. John Adams fought in defense of the soldiers. He was able to get them a pretty good deal. The trial was heated nonetheless, it was the first time the judge used the phrase, "reasonable doubt". The jury of the trial did not have one single Bostonian. In conclusion The Boston Massacre was the killing of five Colonists due to gun firing of British troops. This occurrence left a mark on the American Revolution.

ABOUT US

We are a group of high school students who were assigned to do a blog dedicated to the American Revolution by our US History teacher. We will be writing two entries per week regarding the material we are taught in class, plus further research on whatever we find more intriguing. The american revolution was a key event in history and we're looking forward learning about it.