The Revolution IGNITED

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Benjamin Franklin, (January 17, 1706 April 17, 1790) known as one of the Founding Fathers of America. He was a talented man (an outstanding author, printer, scientist, statesman, diplomat, politician, etc.) to demonstrate a great potential on a vast number of areas.





Benjamin was born in Boston and was the tenth son, out of 17 children of a soap maker called Josiah Franklin and his mother was Abiah Folger, Josiah´s second wife. His father intended for Benjamin to enter into clergy, yet he could only afford one year of school and clergymen required many years of schooling. However Benjamin loved to read he became a novice of his brother James who was a printer. When he was 12 years old, he would help him compose pamphlets and sell them on the streets. Then at age of 22 he opened his own printing shop, ongoing with his newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette (1779) which soon became the most successful in the colonies. This profitable newspaper also included the first political cartoon, authored by Benjamin itself. After a few years (1773) Poor Richard´s Almanac was released and became the best-selling book in the colonies selling over 10000 copies a year. Benjamin published this almanac under the name of Richard Saunders, a poor man who had to take care of his critical wife. This almanac portrayed Franklin as a distinguished and eminent writer. Soon he became the most active printer in the colonies and was selected as the official printer of Pennsylvania. His obligation consisted in printing money, laws and documents for the colony. Next he became the public printer for Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland and also helped establish newspapers in New York, Connecticut and two islands in the West Indies.  






Benjamin formed part of a club called the Leather Apron Club (because most of them wore leather aprons) which made reading more fashionable creating the first library in America in 1773 from their money. This way everybody was able to borrow books for a certain amount of time. Considering that books at that time were scarce and very expensive, libraries provided people the opportunity of learning through books. Soon other towns imitated the cause, making reading common among less educated people. In 1773, he then helped to launch the American Philosophy Society, the first learned society in America.
Benjamin also participated in associations that helped in creating organizations for health assistance such as: 
The Pennsylvania Hospital in 1751
The Philadelphia´s Union Fire Company in 1736 for fire aid.
The Philadelphia Contribution for Insurance Against Loss by fire in 1752.




When Benjamin was 42 years old he retired from the printing to new interests such as science. He succeeded in numerous inventions such as:
*Swim fins                                *Bulkheads
*Bifocals                                   *The lightning rod
*A glass armonica                   *Odometer
*Watertight                               *  The wood stove - called the Franklin Stove

In early 1750´s he turned to the study of electricity with his son William. They carried out an experiment on electricity on which their main purpose was to prove that lightning was a form of electricity not a mysterious force of punishment from God as people use to think. The experiment consisted in attaching a pointed metal piece on a kite and a metal key to the base of the kite. Lightning struck the kite and traveled down to the key. When he touched the key with his knuckle there was a spark. Although he was knocked unconscious twice before when experimenting with electricity, he was capable of proving his hypothesis. Next he invented the lightning rod to protect buildings and ships form lightning damage.

Benjamin received great recognition for his inventions but he never benefit from them since he decided to give them away to the world freely.






During the fight for independence at the American Revolution, Benjamin was sent to Europe to represent the colonies. In 1776 he signed the Declaration of Independence and in 1778 the treaty of Alliance with France in which he negotiated with the French to assist the colonists during the American Revolution. Then, he became the first United States minister of France. He also worked as a volunteer in the troops securing arms, guns and ammunition.
When the colonists won their independence he helped negotiate peace with England and signed The Treaty of peace with Great Britain in 1782. He was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention at age 81.


After the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787 he became known as the only Founding Father to have signed all five documents that established the American Independence: The Declaration, the Treaty of Amity and Commerce with France, the Treaty of Alliance with Great Britain, and the Constitution of the United States of America.

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George Washington (February 22, 1732- December 14, 1799), referred to as the Father of America. His early education included the study of such subjects as mathematics, surveying, the classics and "rules of civility". He was well-known for his remarkable work as a general and commander and chief of the colonial armies during the American Revolution. He was also identified for his love of land and farming on his plantations at Mount Vermont in Virginia on the Potomac River, which he inherited from his half brother Lawrence who died from tuberculosis, he was an inspiration for George as he acknowledged his abilities from him. At the age of 16 he worked as a survey to scheme the land of people for a few years. Then he was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel in 1754 and fought in the French and Indian War (1754-1763) in favor of the British. He kept a record of his life in a journal. He wrote to his mother a letter on which he wrote about an injury he got from 4 bullets through his coat and 2 horses that shot under him. Due to these circumstances, George became very ill and was sent home to Virginia for recovery. After his recovery he returned to the British army, defeated the French and captured Fort Duquesne in 1758.   
 Next, he was married to a widow called Martha Dandridge after the French and Indian War on January 6, 1759. She had two children before she had married George, John and Martha which George treated as his own. As George was at war Martha would join Washington´s headquarters every winter on which she contributed in everything she could to encourage and support her husband´s army. They had a happy marriage. 
His experience in the militia made him a well-trained soldier factor that lead the Continental Congress to choose him as commander in chief  of the Continental forces during the fight for independence where he served with no pay in return, but for the honor and love to his country. The colonist fought eight rough years (1775-178)3 for independence from the British, a war that concluded in success thanks to the great assistance of a great commander, George Washington, who played an important role leading his army with courage and support through his great stragedies of defense and spirit of independence. After the war Washington expected to join his family back in home at Mount Vermont. But on 1789 he was elected unanimously as the first president of the United States. Because it was an honor and a great responsibility George accepted and left Mount Vermont on April 16 and arrived new York City on April 30 where his inauguration where he took his oath of office as president on the balcony of federal Hall on Wall Street.. he arranged his first cabinet to run the country, which included Thomas Jefferson as secretary of state, Alexander Hamilton as secretary of the treasury, Henry Knox as secretary of war, and Edmund Randolph as attorney general. By March 1797, when Washington left the office, the country's new federal government was well-established. He proceeded to his retirement at Mount Vermont to spend his last years happily next to his family. Three years later he died from a throat infection at his estate on December 14, 1779.

George Washington was a memorable character in America as he emerged in national imagination with patriotism during his lifetime accomplishing his objective of a great nation, the United States of America.

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The Battle of Saratoga was like the turning point of the Revolution. 
British troops in Canada had as their main objective to take control of Albany, New York and Hudson River to divide the New England colonies from all the other colonies at the Hudson River and make it easier for Britain to gain control, under the guidance and lead of Major General John Burgoyne. General Burgoyne left Montreal, Quebec in Canada with 6000 men on June 1777 to approach Albany. Another group of troops led by Lieutenant Colonel St. Leger were to join him from Canada. General Howe also was to join him from New York. On their way they stopped at Fort Tinconderoga which is between Lake George and Lake Campaign built by the French in 1775 to protect themselves against the British and also protect fur trading the major route through the Hudson River. Then the fort was taken over by the British on July 5, 1777.
Unfortunately for Burgoyne, St. Leger's troops ran into Benedict Arnold and his American militia. St. Leger and his troops were forced to head back to Canada. Then, General Howe's forces were fighting with Washington at the Battle of Brandywine and then the Battle of Germantown. This kept him from joining Burgoyne.


As Major General Burgoyne reached Albany with his men in September, 1777, they found the city guarded by 7000 Patriots under the command of Major General Horatio Gates now Patriots had decided to wait for British to make their move since they had used the land to their advantage. After minor assaults on September 19 General Gates led his men to an attack at Freeman´s Farm and even though Patriots were reinforced with Gate´s troop they were still not able to suppress the British. Patriots had 320 men killed or hurt, then the British had 600 killed or wounded and the survivor moved up north two miles of Freemen´s Farm to set up their camp headquarters.

On October 7, 1777 General Burgoyne and his men executed a full assault on the patriots at Bemis Heights. But the Patriots had let down the British before through the minor assault and they were now prepared to fight them on October. The patriot´s defense was made up of Major General Gates´, Major General Arnold´s, and Major General Daniel Morgan´s troops which together integrated a great defense against the British. This gave General Burgoyne on choice but to depart Saratoga, they suffered 600 losses compared to the patriots who only lost 150 men. General Burgoyne with 5000 men surrenders to a Patriot army of 20000 men.

This battle strengthen the Patriot´s spirit of winning the war and gave them the confidence, but it also disappointed the British who had the purpose of  taking control of the North giving up their hope of ever recovering authority over the Colonies.


This battle encouraged the French to support in a more direct and public way the colonists since it use to be a secret way of helping, but the war had persuaded the French that patriots had the chance to win the war against the British for their independence. They participated in the victory at Yorktown on October 6, 1781, where General Cornwallis´ and his troops also surrendered against an army of 16000 men.
This battle was one important victory as a turning point of the war in favor of the colonists.




GoAnimate.com: Revolutionary War- Battle of SaratogaVideo

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During the year of 1776 George Washington had suffered great losses on Long Island and having to surrender on New York City and forded them to retreat to Jersey. Washington withdraw his troops throughout the crossing of the Delaware, this would make him and his troops indefensible from the British with their naval mobility and larger force. British didn´t attempt to cross the Delaware and established at Manhattan Island and Staten Island under General Howe´s leadership.
Fort Manhattan and Fort Lee had been captured by about 1500 Hessians. George Washington was planning to attack them, by crossing the Delaware at Christmas night with about 2000 men. But the crossing was hard since the weather conditions did not make the passage easy with their boats avoiding ice floes in the river and heavy snow storms. Many of the soldiers were badly clothed and some did not have shoes, several were leaving traces of blood on the snow as they marched to Trenton. On December 26, 1776, American troops surprised the Hessians who were stationed in houses along the Penning road about half mile outside Trenton, they had intended to celebrate Christmas and even their commander was notified of an attack, but he ignored the warning. He said "What need of entrenchments? Let the rebels come; we will at them with the bayonet", and did not anticipate defense works around the town. Continental forces under the command of Nathanael Greene and John Sullivan surrounded them. The Hessian´s commander Colonel Rall who intended to caution his soldiers got in his horse, but he was then shot and died from his wounds. Within 90 minutes Hessians were surrounded by the Americans considering escape routes cut off.. Hessians surrendered, they suffered 20 deaths, 100 wounded and 1000 of their soldiers were captured and sent to Philadelphia.
For the first time Washington and his troops had defeated a regular army in the field, the army had gain forces to continue, the victory raised their spirits giving them confidence, some who were about to leave the army, reenlisted; and Washington´s reputation of a good commander had solidified there were no more doubts of his abilities. Afterward, Washington gained 6 cannons, 40 horses and a great deal of supplies that were transported to Pennsylvania.

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Thomas Paine was an author, pamphleteer, radical, inventor, intellectual, revolutionary, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He has been called "a corsetmaker by trade, a journalist by profession, and a propagandist by inclination."
Born in Thetford, in the English county of Norfolk, Paine emigrated to the British American colonies in 1774 in time to participate in the American Revolution. His principal contributions were the powerful, widely read pamphlet Common Sense

He denounced the King and aristocrasts as frauds and parasites. He wanted the common people to elect everyone in the goverment. Thomas Paine depicked the King as the enemy, not Parliament. He hated the rigid class structure of britan for smothering the hopes of the poor who had no titles. He argued that a republic would award those who worked hard, instead of inheriting your power or priviledges.

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Though most people agreed with the boycotts of British imports there was a small minority that preffered the British rule. Many, if not most loyalists dreaded the Patriots and mobs. Some Loyalists didn't fight because they were not dissatisfied. They may have been wealthy or simply believed that Great Britain was justified in its actions. Patriots would insult Loyalists and mistrusted them because they did not believe in the Patriots' cause.

Although many loyalists disafreed with the taxes, they believed that they had to obey the goverment. Loyalists feared that the resistance was going to start a war. They favored laws and order and considered Patriots vermin. Loyalists resented Patriots shooting down loyalist newspaper stands. Loyalism appealed to native americans and to enslaved people.

Loyalists opposed patriot causes becaus the preffered English rule, they considered Patriots brutal, they disliked the militia and most importantly, the favored law and order.  

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At the signing of the Declaration of Independence, John Hancock wrote his name first and biggest on the declaration. He said, "The British ministry can read that name without spectacles; let them double their reward." The reward he refers to is the one offered by King George III that was to be given to anyone who could capture one of the Sons of Liberty, especially Samuel Adams and John Hancock. 

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The Intolerable Acts were commonly known in England as Coercive Acts. They were introduced in 1774 as a reply or punishment form the Parliament to the colonists to the Boston Tea Party. These series of laws were sponsored by British Prime Minister Lord North and encouraged by King George III with the purpose of restoring order in Massachusetts.

 The Intolerable Acts, as they were known in America, included the following:


Boston Port Act (March 31) :  The king closed Boston Harbor to everything but British ships, boycotting the colonists, until the East India colony was paid for the lost tea on the Boston Tea Party.


Quartering Act (June 22) : To enforce this measure the British sent troops and warships to Boston and allow soldiers to inhabit n  colonial buildings at expense of the colonists.

Quebec Act (June 2) : British expanded the boundaries of the province of Quebec, the southern border of Canada and cut off the western colonies of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Virginia. People that lived in that area lost heir land.

Administration of Justice Act (June 2) : British officers that committed crimes in the colonies had to go to trial in England.

Massachusetts Government Act (May 20) : Consisted in taking away right of self-government. Government positions were appointed by the governor or directly by the king. Strict limits were placed on the town meetings. This was established with the intention of forcing Boston out of resistance.

In rural Massachusetts, people reacted to the British action with violence. They were armed with clubs and guns to force the courts of law to shut down. They also assaulted anyone that accepted an office under the governors commands or spoke in favor of the parliament. And used tarring and feathering to torture the victims.

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• Tea was allowed to be shipped in East India Company ships directly from India to the American colonies without any intermediate, bypassing the colonial wholesale merchants.
• A duty of three pence per pound was to be collected on tea delivered to America; this tax was considerably less than the previous one.
• The tea was to be marketed in America by merchants selected by the East India Company. 

Most colonists applauded the action while the reaction in London was furious and vigorous.

 

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There were three tactics that the colonists used to protest against British taxes. 
One consisted of colonial leaders using enlightenment ideas in their sermons and speeches, they also spread their cause by handing out pamphlets that promoted protesting against unfair taxes. 
Another method they used that was probably one of the most effective were economic boycotts. They agreed on non-importation agreements from England. Now the women played an important role, since they couldn't import the material they used, they had to make it. It was because of all their contributions that they were named Daughters of Liberty.
The third way that colonists protested was much more physical. They used Violent Intimidation to get their point across. Mobs destroyed the homes of tax collectors and they used tarring and feathering as well. 


Tarring and Feathering was a punishment that went back to the Middle Ages with Richard the Lionhearted and the Crusades. Tarring and feathering was successfully used as a weapon against the Townshend Duties (including the tea tax which led to the Boston Tea Party). In Parliament they hotly debated how best to punish the Bostonians. one member argued that "Americans were a strange set of people, and that it was in vain to expect any degree of reasoning from them; that instead of making their claim by argument, they always chose to decide the matter by tarring and feathering." Fearing that the practice was getting out of control and was harming their image, Boston leaders called a halt to the practice. 

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After the war the British government evaluated new methods for generating funds since any they would have had disappeared with all the expences concerning the war. It was then decided to levy new taxes on the colonies with the goal of offsetting some of the cost for their defense. People in England argued that so much money was spent trying to protect the colonies, and they only paid minor taxes compared to them.

On April 5, 1764, the Sugar Act placed a tax of three pence per gallon on molasses as well as listed specific goods which could be exported to Britain. This new Sugar Act called for active enforcement and struck the colonies during an economic downturn. This lead to outcries from colonial leaders who said: "taxation without representation" meaning that they were against paying levyed taxes without having a member of Parliament to represent their interests.

The economic situation in America was made worse later that year with the implementation of the Currency Act which prohibited the colonies from printing paper money

 As many American businesses engaged in credit sales with Britain, they were weakened when financial crisis gripped London in the 1760s and 1770s. Unable to generate any form of liquid currency, American businesses were frequently going bankrupt, damaging the colonial economy. Outraged by these new laws, and the Quartering Act which required colonial citizens to house and feed British troops, the American colonies began to systematically boycott British goods.

QUARTERING ACT-
The Quartering Act was an act passed by British Parliament to ensure that British soldiers would be properly accommodated and fed during their times of service in the North American colonies. In fact, Parliament passed two separate Quartering Acts, one in 1765 and another in 1774, and both became serious means of contention among the Colonists. In fact, the Quartering Act was found so offensive that specific references were made to it in the Declaration of Independence and the American Constitution.

The Stamp Act

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This Revolution didn't simply errupt overnight, it was the result of a chain of events that eventually progressed into what we know as the American Revolution. The desire for such an act of rebellion was ignited by a few, and set ablaze many.

It all began with France and England fighting over the Ohio River Valley. A very young George Washington commanded the British troops (he then fought against them years later for independence)
British colonists wanted to take over french land in North America and the fur trade apprehended in French territory.
It was called the French and Indian war because Native Americans allied with the French against the British because they feared the British in America could take over their territory. It was also called the SevenYear War in Europe. It spread through Eurpoe, Asia and West Indies.


First the British suffered loses from 1756 to 1758. French and Indian allies started to expand in areas that British had claimed. They destroyed British forts in Lake Ontario and Georgia and captured English trading posts. They also destroyed a Miami village called Pickawillany in what is now western Ohio that hosted English traders and built Fort Duquense. Then in 1756 the war was declared by England even though it had started two years ago. Indians had covered most of the native American territory claimed during the war.


But from 1758 to 1759 the war shifted in favor of the British with William Pitt as British Secretary of State. The British blocked the French shipment and also built their own forts like Fort Necessity with the leadership of George Washington to defend their territory from French threats, they took over Fort Duquesne. Indians then abandon the French and this allowed British to capture French forts that protected the entrance to the Saint Lorens River. In 1759 the British won the battle, which allowed them to take up Quebec. The next year British Major General James Wolfe and his troops marched down to Montreal and captured it. They forced the French governor general to surrender and give up Canada including forts protecting the Great Lake and Florida.


In 1763 the Treaty of Paris ended the war in favor of the British. The Mississippi River became the boundary between the British and Spanish claims.


As a result of the war, the British Parliament began taxing the colonists to recover the expenses of the war, since the war had caused a great debt that nearly destroyed England's government. Colonists protested as they did not want to pay any taxes except for those levied by their representatives. This is one of the leading tensions that caused the American Revolution.