Treaty of Paris

Finally the Revolutionary war had come to an end after Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown. Americans had achieved the impossible, to win with untrained, normal civilians, and farmers against the best army at the time. All that was left was that the world acknowledged this victory and recognized a new country, United States of America. For this, the Americans sent a group of delegates, including Benjamin Franklin to sign The Treaty of Paris. The treaty made official that British had lost and Colonist had won. British did not want to loose it all yet though, they still wanted some land and wanted to protect their loyalists.

Apart form recognizing Americans as free, sovereign and independent states, it also granted fishing rights, it established boundaries with British North America, gave property rights to the loyalist as well as providing evacuation for all British Forces. The only thing that nobody remembered were the Native Americans. Natives were surprised by the exclusion form the treaty and abandon by British, leaving them unprotected. Americans took advantage from this by taking their land and finally moving west of the Apalation Mountains, thus expanding their territory.

In numbers, it did not go so well for British, the war had cost the lives of around 60,000 people, including Germans. They had also spent 80million pounds, which raised their debt to 250million punds.

** Ms Touche, as you might notice, there are 6 posts instead of four, this is because two are fully

copy&paste from Juan Castillo and I decided to make an extra two to save my note.**

Battle of Yorktown

Finally! American Revolutionary War comes to an end after 6-7 bloody and difficult years for both Americans and British. It all came down to the Battles of Yorktown, after some well planned tactics, as well as lucky timings that made British surrender. British had been big favorites to win the war but they made costly mistakes, they underestimated American's will to fight and get the Independence. They didn't get the fact that this was not a normal war, it was a Revolutionary war, first on its kind. And to make it worst, French and Spanish allies, at the end, turned the balance in favor of the Americans.

Generals: George Washington (American)

Lieutenant Rochambeau (French)

General Cornwallis (British)

Army Size: 8800 Americans, 7800 French, 6000 British.

We all know the war hadn't been easy for the Americans, loosing most of the battles, though on the latter stages of it, French and Spanish help had made a big difference, aiding in other battles such as Pensacola, Florida or Mobile, Alabama. After loosing some key battles, General Cornwallis (British) decided to go to Yorktown and ask for support, which had to come by boat from New York. During the summer of 1781 George Washington decided to march south and try to trap Cornwallis' army at Yorktown. It was a risky idea at first, as he needed a French fleet to arrive at the Chesapeake Bay and block the exits and arrivals of provisions. It all went as planned, the French fleet arrived just in time to block the Chesapeake Bay. Then Washington's army blocked one of the flanks, while French helped by blocking the other. Cornwallis still tried to escape and battle, but it had no effect. Cornwallis had nothing left to do but to surrender.

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston on January 17, 1706. He was the tenth son of a soap maker, Josiah Franklin. Benjamin's mother was Abiah Folger, the second wife of Josiah. In total, Josiah had 17 children. Josiah wanted Benjamin to study as a clergy, but due to money limitations he could only attend school one year. Benjamin loved to read, which he had learned from his brother James, who was a printer. James would compose pamphlets and Benjamin would sell them on the streets, making this his first job. When Benjamin was fifteen, his brother James started the first newspaper in Boston which news, articles and opinions written by his friends. Benjamin wanted to write but knew his brother wouldn’t allow him to. He decided to start writing letters and signed them as Silence Dogood, a fictional widow. He sneaked these letters at night through the door. The letters were filled with advice, and were very critical with the world, especially on thing concerning about women. These letters were a big hit. After 16 letters he confessed and his brother got angry and jealous of all the attention he had gained.

Experiments were nothing new to Benjamin, as in 1943 he had invented the Franklin stove, which helped to keep houses warm. The lighting rod, which help prevent lightings strike homes and buildings in 1949, the bifocals, swim fins and others. He also discovered the Atlantic northern currents. He founded the American Philosophical society in 1943, to help men discuss their thoughts on inventions and science. He helped meteorology, discovering storms can move in different directions, and also helped with cooling and refrigeration.

In the late 1950’s, Benjamin started to have an interest for politics. In 1957 he went to England and stayed there representing Pennsylvania, Georgia, New Jersey and Massachusetts. He first supported British but the Stamp Act revolution blew his mind and convinced him to side with Americans. He started working for the Independence. His son William was appointed Governor of Massachusetts, but he didn’t share his father’s views. He helped draft the Declaration and signed it on 1776. He went to France to ally with them; French loved him and decided to help Americans. He was also there when the Treaty of Paris was signed. He later returned to America and died on April 17, 1790.

Treaty Of Paris

The American War for Independence (1775-83) was actually a world conflict, involving not only the United States and Great Britain but also France, Spain, and the Netherlands. The peace process brought and formed a newly born United States into the arena of international diplomacy, playing against the largest, most sophisticated, and most established powers on earth.

The three American negotiators, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay, proved themselves to be masters of the game, outmaneuvering their counterparts and clinging fiercely to the points of national interest that guaranteed a future for the United States. Two crucial provisions of the treaty were British recognition of U.S. independence and the delineation of boundaries that would allow for American western expansion. The treaty is named for the city in which it was negotiated and signed. The last page bears the signatures of David Hartley, who represented Great Britain, and the three American negotiators, who signed their names in alphabetical order. Many treaty documents, however, can be considered as originals. In this case, for example, the United States and British representatives signed at least three originals, two of which are in the holdings of the National Archives.

**Dear Bloggers, its Aristides and I apologize on behalf of my partner, Juan Castillo for copying&pasting this post**

The Battle of Yorktown

In August 1781, General George Washington learned that Lieutenant General Lord Charles Cornwallis' army was encamped near Yorktown. After discussing options with his French ally, Lieutenant General Jean-Baptiste Ponton de Rochambeau, Washington decided to quietly move his army away from New York City with the goal of crushing Cornwallis' army. Leaving on August 21, the French-American army began marching south. As any success would be dependent upon the French navy's ability to prevent Cornwallis being resupplied, this movement was supported by the fleet of Rear Admiral Comte de Grasse.

**Dear Bloggers, its Aristides and I apologize on behalf of my partner, Juan Castillo for copying&pasting this post**

Battle of Bunkerhill

"Don't fire until you see the white of their eyes" Said one of the American commanders while standing upon Breed's Hill, Boston.

Generals: William Howe (British) - Artemas Ward, Israel Putnam (American)

Army Size: 2400 British vs 1500 Americans

Throughout the month of May, 1775, British had been getting reinforcements. They had gathered an army of about 6000 soldiers at Boston. To help Thomas Gage, three other British commanders arrived, William Howe, John Burgoyne, and Henry Clinton. They were now planning on how to get out of Boston, and had decided to capture Charleston. The attack was set for June 18. Luckily for Americans, an unknown man, while taking a trip to Boston, overheard the planning of these men and notified Massachusetts Provincial Congress. The congress decided to fortify Charleston Peninsula, specially on Bunker Hill.

On the night of June 16th 1775, Howe found himself surrounded by 1500 Americans. The Americans began to line up around Breed's Hill and Bunker Hill. Howe decided to start attacking through the left flank, and thought it would be an easy win, but he returned with a heavy loss, after some nervous soldiers fired out of time, making the Americans respond, with the British still not prepared, this inflicted heavy losses. After that loss, Howe tried regroup and marched again, but failed with his directions and went to attack the wrong side, and returned with another loss. Howe tried for a third time, though successful, it was only because the Americans had run out of ammunition making the battle a close combat, from which the British took advantage.

Even though Americans lost the battle, it gave them the confidence boost they needed, as they knew British could only defeat them after they run out of ammunition.

Valley Forge

What is it that happened at Valley Forge? So many legends about it, although there was no war fought in Valley Forge, it was one of the turning points of the war. The continental army was suffering, bloody, beaten and weakened, also with hunger and diseases, they were ready to quit. As Washington said "If the army do not gets help soon, in all like hood it will disband". But why didn't it? Most couldn't withstand the hunger and cold, and so they died. Most of their horses didn't survive, as they also needed food. All that soldiers got a day was a combination of water and flour. Their clothes were bad and most had no shoes. At the end 2500 men died.

The military needed to be more efficient, have more discipline and have a confidence boost. This task fell on Baron Friedrich Von Steuben. Yes, most military were trained, but some weren't, and to win they needed all men in the same level. Later the wifes, children, sisters of the soldiers arrived to give their support. This gave them the motivation to keep going. Women helped with the cleaning and cooking, they also mended soldier's uniforms. They provided the much needed emotional support.