American Revolution in 9 Minutes - Manny Man Does History

Summary

The script narrates the history of the American Revolution, from the European colonization of North America in the 1490s to the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. It covers the causes of the conflict, including British taxes and lack of representation, the escalation into war, key battles like the Boston Massacre and Bunker Hill, the pivotal victory at Saratoga, and the decisive Battle of Yorktown. It also highlights the formation of the United States, the drafting of the Constitution, and George Washington's presidency, setting the stage for America's rise as a global power.

Takeaways

• 😐 The European colonization of the Americas began in the 1490s and intensified over the following centuries, leading to territorial disputes and conflicts.
• 🔍 The 18th century saw the rise of British, French, and Spanish colonies in North America, culminating in the French and Indian War, which ended with British victory and heavy debts.
• 💂‍♂️ Britain's attempt to tax the American colonists without representation sparked the American Revolution, as colonists boycotted British goods and protested against the Stamp Act.
• 🍵 The Boston Tea Party in 1773 was a significant act of defiance against British taxation and monopoly, leading to further punitive measures by Britain.
• 🏛 The First Continental Congress convened in 1774, seeking to resolve issues with Britain, but the British response was to increase military presence and restrictions.
• 🔫 The shots fired at Lexington and Concord in April 1775 marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War, as the militiamen and British forces clashed.
• 🗽 George Washington was appointed as the commander of the Continental Army, and the colonies began to establish revolutionary governments, taking control from the British.
• 📜 The Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson and ratified on July 4, 1776, declared the thirteen colonies as a new nation, the United States of America.
• 🛳 The French alliance with the Americans in 1778 was crucial, as it provided military support and resources, complicating Britain's global conflicts.
• 🏰 The Siege of Yorktown in 1781 was the decisive victory that led to the surrender of British General Cornwallis, effectively ending the Revolutionary War.
• 🏛️ The Treaty of Paris in 1783 recognized American independence and ceded lands west of the Appalachians to the United States, setting the stage for future expansion and conflict.

Q & A

What was the primary cause of the war between France and Britain in 1754?

The primary cause of the war between France and Britain in 1754 was the dispute over territories in North America, which escalated into a global colonial war.

Why did the American colonists refuse to pay taxes imposed by Britain after the war?

The American colonists refused to pay taxes because they believed in the principle of 'no taxation without representation,' as they had no voice in the British Parliament.

What was the significance of the Boston Tea Party in 1773?

The Boston Tea Party was significant as it was a direct act of defiance against British rule, where colonists dumped tea into the sea to protest against the British East India Company's tea monopoly and high taxes.

What was the First Continental Congress and why was it convened?

The First Continental Congress was a meeting of American patriot leaders from 12 of the 13 colonies in Philadelphia in 1774. It was convened to petition the king for the removal of taxes and royal governors, asserting that the British Parliament had no jurisdiction over internal American affairs.

Who was appointed as the general of the Continental Army during the Second Continental Congress?

George Washington was appointed as the general of the Continental Army during the Second Continental Congress.

What was the Declaration of Independence and when was it ratified?

The Declaration of Independence was a document drafted by Thomas Jefferson, which declared the thirteen colonies as a new nation, separate from the British Empire. It was ratified on July 4th, 1776.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Bunker Hill, and what did it signify?

The Battle of Bunker Hill resulted in a British victory at a high cost of life. It signified the beginning of open warfare and the start of the American Revolutionary War.

Why did the British forces fail to break the siege of Boston?

The British forces failed to break the siege of Boston due to a combination of factors, including the resilience of the American militia, a shortage of munitions and gunpowder, and the strategic positioning of the Continental Army.

What was the significance of the French alliance with the American colonies?

The French alliance was significant as it provided the American colonies with much-needed military and financial support, which was crucial in their struggle for independence against Britain.

What event marked the end of major hostilities in the American Revolutionary War?

The end of major hostilities in the American Revolutionary War was marked by the surrender of British General Cornwallis at the Battle of Yorktown on October 9th, 1781.

What was the Treaty of Paris and what did it entail?

The Treaty of Paris was the peace treaty agreed upon in 1783 that ended the American Revolutionary War. It involved Britain recognizing American independence and ceding lands west of the Appalachian Mountains to the United States.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 Colonial America and the Prelude to Revolution

This paragraph outlines the historical context leading to the American Revolution. It begins with the European colonization of the Americas in the 1490s, followed by the territorial disputes between Britain and France that escalated into a global conflict in the 18th century. The British victory left them in debt, leading to the imposition of taxes on the American colonies without representation, which sparked resistance. The colonists' refusal to pay taxes, the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, and the subsequent punitive acts by Britain are detailed. The formation of the First and Second Continental Congresses, the establishment of the Continental Army under George Washington, and the early stages of the Revolutionary War are also summarized.

05:01

🗝 The Struggle for Independence and the Path to Victory

This paragraph chronicles the progression of the American Revolutionary War, detailing the British attempts to quell the rebellion and the American forces' responses. It covers the Declaration of Independence, the strategic moves of both British and American forces, the critical battles, and the hardships faced by the Continental Army, especially during the winter at Valley Forge. The paragraph also highlights the international support from France and Spain, the pivotal Battle of Saratoga, the eventual British defeat at Yorktown, and the conclusion of the war with the Treaty of Paris in 1783. The aftermath includes the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, the election of George Washington as the first president, and the establishment of Washington D.C. as the capital, setting the stage for the United States' future as a world power.

Keywords

💡Colonization

Colonization refers to the process of claiming, settling, and establishing control over new territories. In the context of the video, it describes how European powers, particularly Britain, France, and Spain, established their presence in North America during the 18th century. This process was crucial to the development of the American colonies and set the stage for the conflicts that would eventually lead to the American Revolution.

💡Boston Tea Party

The Boston Tea Party was a significant event in American history where colonists, disguised as Native Americans, dumped 342 chests of British tea into the harbor as an act of protest against British taxes on tea. This act of defiance is a key symbol of the growing resentment against British rule and is highlighted in the video as a pivotal moment leading up to the American Revolution.

💡First Continental Congress

The First Continental Congress was a meeting of representatives from 12 of the 13 colonies that convened to discuss their response to British policies. The Congress petitioned the king for the removal of taxes and the royal governors, asserting their rights as Englishmen. The video emphasizes this event as a critical step in the unification of the colonies against British rule.

💡Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is a document drafted by Thomas Jefferson and ratified by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. It declared the thirteen colonies to be independent from British rule and established them as a new nation, the United States of America. The video highlights this document as the formal announcement of the colonies' intention to be free from British control.

💡General George Washington

General George Washington was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. His leadership was instrumental in organizing and leading the American forces against the British. The video script mentions Washington's role in taking charge of the siege of Boston and later moving his forces to New York City, illustrating his central role in the war effort.

💡Battle of Bunker Hill

The Battle of Bunker Hill was an early battle in the American Revolutionary War, notable for the high number of British casualties despite their victory. The video mentions this battle as an example of the tenacity of the American forces and the high cost of British victories, which contributed to the eventual shift in British strategy.

💡Saratoga

The Battle of Saratoga was a turning point in the American Revolutionary War, where American forces defeated a British army under General Burgoyne. The victory at Saratoga is highlighted in the video as it led to the French alliance with the Americans, significantly altering the dynamics of the war.

💡Valley Forge

Valley Forge was the site of the Continental Army's winter encampment during 1777-1778, where they faced severe conditions, disease, and a lack of supplies. The video script refers to this period as a time of great hardship for Washington's forces, which also served to strengthen their resolve and unity.

💡Yorktown

The Siege of Yorktown was the decisive battle of the American Revolutionary War, where British General Cornwallis surrendered his army to American and French forces, effectively ending the war. The video emphasizes the significance of this event as the moment when the British acknowledged the independence of the United States.

💡Treaty of Paris

The Treaty of Paris, signed in 1783, officially ended the American Revolutionary War. It recognized the independence of the United States and ceded territories to the new nation. The video script notes the Treaty of Paris as the formal acknowledgment of American independence by Britain.

💡American Constitution

The American Constitution is the supreme law of the United States, drafted in 1787 and ratified in 1788 and 1789. It established the framework of the federal government and the rights of the citizens. The video mentions the drafting and ratification of the Constitution as a foundational step in organizing the new nation after the war.

Highlights

Europeans began exploring and colonizing the Americas after their discovery in the 1490s.

The 1754 war between France and Britain over North American territories expanded into a global colonial conflict.

Britain emerged victorious from the war but incurred significant debt, leading to the first taxes on American colonists.

The American colonists' refusal to pay taxes due to lack of representation sparked the beginning of resistance.

The Stamp Act and increased taxes on British goods led to widespread boycotts and protests among the colonists.

The Boston Massacre in 1770 intensified anti-British sentiment across the 13 colonies.

The Boston Tea Party in 1773 was a significant act of defiance against British tea monopolization.

The First Continental Congress convened in 1774 to address grievances with British rule and taxes.

The Battles of Lexington and Concord marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.

George Washington was appointed as the commander of the newly formed Continental Army.

The Declaration of Independence was drafted and ratified in 1776, signifying the colonies' break from Britain.

The British experienced significant defeats and the loss of New York to American forces.

The harsh winter at Valley Forge tested Washington's army but ultimately strengthened their resolve.

France's official support for the American cause in 1778 was a turning point in the war.

The decisive American and French victory at the Siege of Yorktown in 1781 led to British surrender.

The Treaty of Paris in 1783 recognized American independence and established the United States' territorial claims.

The United States drafted and ratified its Constitution, with George Washington elected as the first president.

Washington DC was chosen as the nation's capital, symbolizing the unity of the former colonies.

Transcripts

since the Europeans had discovered the

Americas in the 1490s they had been

exploring conquering and colonizing the

new fine continent for the next few

centuries by the 18th century North

America had been colonized by Britain

France and Spain in 1754 a war began

between France and Britain over disputed

territories in North America it spilled

over into a colonial war across the

world and ultimately led to the British

forces defeating the French who'd been

helped by several Native American tribes

Great Britain had won the war but was

left heavily in debt at this time many

generations had been living in America

this was their home Britain decided to

tax the American colonists for the first

time but they refused to pay attacks as

they didn't have representation in the

British Parliament by their rights as

Englishmen colonists refused

representation to in Britain as being on

the opposite side of the Atlantic made

it a little impractical American

colonists began to boycott British goods

and angry mobs against the British group

the British Parliament repeated the

Stamp Act but maintained it should

govern over its colonies in America the

British decided to increase taxes to be

paid on customs duty for imported

British goods such as tea paper paint

LED and glass which the Americans were

reliant on this angered more and more

colonists 4,000 British troops were sent

to Massachusetts to try and threaten the

people of Boston

they simply organize more boycotts but

it was difficult because the highly

taxed goods were so widely used tensions

ran high in March 1770 as five colonists

were killed by British soldiers during a

heated incident word of the Boston

Massacre was spread around the 13

British colonies an outrage ensued in

1773 Britain tried to import and sell

untaxed tea for the East India Company

because Britain was trying to monopolize

the tea the Americans held the ships in

Boston and didn't allow them to unload

on December 6th a group known as the

Sons of Liberty disguised as Native

Americans boarded the ships and dumped

the tea into the sea and what became

known as the Boston Tea Party in 1774

Britain punished Massachusetts with a

series of acts to control the colony and

place its own royal governor to take

charge but the people set up their own

provincial Congress Britain was in

control Boston but the Americans had

control of the countryside as they began

organizing and training militias

American patriot leaders from 12 of the

13 colonies came together and convened

the First Continental Congress in

Philadelphia they petitioned the king

wanting rid of the taxes and the royal

governors claiming the British

Parliament at no place in internal

American affairs but they were happy to

agree to the trade regulations the

British response however was more and

more regular

restrictions and an increased army

presence in February 1775 Massachusetts

was declared being a state of rebellion

by the British Parliament by April the

British commander Lieutenant General

Thomas Gage was ordered to disarm the

rebels and arrest their leaders Paul

Revere and other writers rode through

the night ahead of the British forces to

warn the leaders in Lexington and

Concord by the time the British reached

Lexington militia were waiting for them

the first shots were fired and the

militiamen fell back to Concord the

British followed them to be met by 500

militiamen the overwhelmed British

forces fell back in retreat and the war

had begun the militia chased them back

to Boston and besieged the city the

Second Continental Congress of all three

colonies came together to organize the

war effort the militias were to be

reorganized into the Continental Army

with congressman George Washington

appointed as the general the thirteen

colonies organized revolutionary

governments and began to expel the royal

governor's taking control for themselves

British reinforcements led by General

William Howe landed across from Boston

and captured the Charleston Peninsula in

the Battle of Bunker Hill but at a high

cost of life but they were unable to

break the siege the king of England

issued a proclamation of rebellion

urging the British forces to quell the

Patriots they began recruiting from

Britain and Ireland and even hired

Hessian mercenaries from the Holy Roman

Empire General Washington arrived at the

siege of Boston the following month to

take charge

despite a shortage of munitions and

gunpowder the siege lasted through the

autumn and winter

the British failing to press any

advantage the Continental Army also

pressed into British controlled Quebec

to try and get the french-speaking

Canadians on their side but the British

forces ultimately pushed them back by

march 1776 General Washington had

gathered cannons and placed them on the

hills overlooking Boston the British

chose to evacuate and head for Halifax

in Nova Scotia knowing it would make a

great naval base for the British General

Washington moved his forces down to New

York City to defend it general Howes

British forces landed close by on Staten

Island June meanwhile the Congress were

formally establishing a document

explaining their position congressman

Thomas Jefferson first drafted what

became the Declaration of Independence

and it was ratified on the 4th of July

1776 it declared that the thirteen

colonies were to be recognized as no

longer part of the British Empire they

were to become known as a new nation the

United States of America by August

general Howes forces were ready to

attack Washington divided his trips

between Manhattan and Long Island but

the British forces managed to flank them

the American forces were ultimately

driven out of New York

defeat the British forces saw American

prisoners as traitors and not prisoners

of war and thus treated them as such

they kept them in prison ships in New

York and more Americans died of neglect

and disease in these ships than in the

rest of the war Washington's forces a

skip through New Jersey across the

Delaware River to Pennsylvania how you

chose not to follow them even though

American forces were dwindling into the

winter Congress fled Philadelphia in

despair with the British forces moving

closer hosts British forces thin

throughout New Jersey and General

Washington decided to attack before the

end of the year he stealthily crossed

the river Delaware at night at Christmas

and surprised 1000 Hessian mercenaries

at Trenton after a few more American

victories General Howe conceded most of

New Jersey to General Washington

despite his greater numbers Washington

took it easy for the rest of the winter

while militia continue to attack small

British forces throughout 1777 a British

force under General Burgoyne pushed down

from Quebec to try to cut off New

England from the other colonies it was a

tough campaign but was ultimately

stopped at Saratoga New York by American

forces under Horatio Gates and Benedict

Arnold forgoing hoped for help from Howe

but he'd sailed his forces south to take

Philadelphia forgoing surrendered how

maneuvered Washington and captured

Philadelphia Washington spent that

winter in Valley Forge where his force

lost many men through cold and disease

how had sent his resignation and chose

not to attack during 1777 also Congress

officially adopted their new flag to

stop the British from growing more

powerful France officially declared

their allegiance with the Americans and

their struggle for independence in 1778

the British offered that the colonies

could go back to the way they work

pre-tax pre-war allegiance to the crime

they were rejected on the sea as usual

Britain had the superior fleet when the

Americans relied on privateering to grow

their non-existent fleet Sir Henry

Clinton took over from Howe and moved

his forces back up to New York as the

French Navy approached the British had

ironed many Native American tribes and

loyalists to fight against the colonists

so George Washington ordered the sole of

an expedition to burn down Iroquois and

loyalist crops and villages in 1779

Spain officially entered the war on the

side of the Americans French and Spanish

threats elsewhere in the world such as

the West Indies were forcing the British

to remove soldiers from North America

the war in the north ultimately slowed

to a stalemate the British then looked

South Clinton left New York to hopefully

get a stronger foothold in the south and

more support from loyalists the winter

of 1779 was even worse for

northern Continental Army's the American

armies were falling apart as conditions

were terrible and money was worthless

mid knees broke out in 1780 but militias

were able to hold back any British trips

trying to press an advantage by May 17

80 Clinton had captured charts in South

Carolina and most of the southern

Continental Army along with it he

returned to New York leaving Lord

Cornwallis

in charge of the southern British Army

up north the French landed some trips in

Rhode Island but the British Navy

stopped any further French landing

Benedict Arnold's had been growing

disenchanted by the war and defected to

the British Horatio Gates took charge of

the remaining American forces in the

south but was defeated at the Battle of

Camden allowing Georgia and South

Carolina to fall back under British

control in 1781 Cornwallis continue to

push through North Carolina but his

forces were worn down by battles with

newly appointed general Nathanael Greene

Cornwallis retreated his forces to

Wilmington North Carolina

leaving Georgia and South Carolina by

the end of September 1781 the British

only controlled Savannah and Charleston

South Cornwallis continued his force

north into Virginia where he ultimately

set up a base in Yorktown on a peninsula

the French fleet moved in and fought off

the British ships there cutting off

Cornwallis by C the combined American

and French forces under General

Washington and the Comte de Rochambeau

moved in and surrounded Cornwallis who

ultimately surrendered his army on

October 9th 1781 British reinforcements

were sent out from New York that same

day but it was too late news reached

Britain the following month and the king

wanted to continue the war fighting

against France Spain and the Dutch

Republic was still happening around the

world a Tory prime minister Lord North

resigned and Pyrrha went to the liberal

Whig party who recognized American

independence and ended the war the peace

Treaty of Paris was agreed in 1783 and

Britain signed over the lands to the

United States of America this included a

Native American land west of the

Appalachian Mountains

unknown to the Native Americans

themselves there would be long and

fierce fighting to come over this land

France practically bankrupted itself

paying for the war leading to its own

revolution in 1789 the United States

would organize itself in the coming

decades they drafted their constitution

in 1787 and ratified it in 1788 and 1789

George Washington was unanimously

elected the first president of the

United States of America the next year

he chose an area along the Potomac River

roughly halfway down the thirteen

colonies to be the new nation's capital

Washington DC the United States of

America would grow in many ways to

become one of if not the most powerful

country in the world

but it had a long and bumpy road ahead

of it both literally and metaphorically

thanks very much for watching and I hope

you enjoyed it a huge thank you to

everyone who has supported me through

patreon so far everyone's generosity and

enthusiasm is hugely appreciated don't

forget to subscribe and find me on

Facebook and Twitter let me know what

you want to see next

you