REER - The Revolutionary Era and Early Republic Module Overview

The Revolutionary Era and Early Republic

Introduction

Cover of Common Sense In a previous module, we set the scene for the foundation of the American Republic: galvanized by Enlightenment ideals and thinkers, strengthened by their convictions, and encouraged by the spirit of independence, many colonial leaders finally decided to break from England by early 1776. In many ways, the stage was set for revolution by a war that had been fought between the English and the French over a decade earlier. Though the odds were long--and not in the colonists' favor--the reward on the horizon looked pretty good to colonial leaders and the American experiment in democratic government was soon born.

One question to keep in the back of your mind throughout this unit: Was the “revolution” a “revolution” in the minds of the colonists living in North America in the years leading up to and during the war or was the “revolution” only the years of combat? Could the “revolution” be both—in the minds of the Americans and combat?

The decision to seek total separation from Britain was not one that was reached overnight, and many colonists were not convinced that independence was the best alternative to their grievances. At no time were more than 1/3 of the colonists “for” independence. In fact, about 1/3 of the colonists were “for” independence, about 1/3 were against, and about 1/3 were either neutral or were “fence sitters”---people who changed their minds depending on how the war was going---if it was favorable for the colonists, then they were “for” independence and if the war was going well for the British, then they were “for” the British.

Freedom came at a price for our forefathers—not just the troops and military leaders but also for their families---women, children, enslaved people, and the indigenous people.

The English Crown naturally wasn't intent on allowing the thirteen colonies to just “go their own way” without a fight.

The war that started with a minor skirmish at Lexington and Concord in April 1775 didn't finally end until the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783--almost a full two years after the last major battle of the war was fought at Yorktown in October 1781.

In its first attempt to organize the United States under some form of government, the Second Continental Congress drafted the Articles of Confederation, a set of rules designed to loosely hold the states together without forcing them to submit to a strong central government. Unfortunately for the weary delegates, the Articles contained many weaknesses; in the years following the Treaty of Paris, it became readily apparent to many leaders that a stronger central government would have to be created if the United States was going to survive.

Finally, a Constitutional Convention was called in Philadelphia in May 1787 with the charge of improving the relationship between the states. The single document that was produced at this meeting--the United States Constitution--has provided living proof of the strength of the United States and its system of government ever since. Crafted through genius and a great deal of compromise, the Constitution literally defines who we are as a nation.

But the passage of the Constitution did not absolve the new nation of all its troubles. A number of very important issues--the foremost among them was slavery--were not resolved in the Constitutional debates and, as such, many problems were left to fester. In spite of that, a new government had been formed and the former war hero, George Washington, was chosen as the only logical person to lead it. His expert statesmanship set critical precedents for the presidents who followed and Washington's contribution to the foundation of the United States cannot be overstated. Although he warned against the wisdom of forming political parties, Washington found himself in the midst of intense personal debates between the men who would succeed him. Just as the American government was taking shape, so too were American politics.

Essential Questions

How did the relationship between Britain and its thirteen colonies deteriorate to the point of open warfare?
What were some of the major changes brought about by the American Revolution?
In what ways did the Constitution resolve conflicts between state and federal government, but leave other conflicts unresolved in the short term?
Why did the two-party system develop?

Module Lessons Preview

In this module, we will study the following topics:

Key Concepts - In this lesson. you’ll learn about the American Revolution and Early Nation in more general terms. You’ll also investigate the relevant vocabulary you’ll need to fully understand the text of the module.
French and Indian War Aftermath - In this lesson, you’ll review the consequences and effects of the French and Indian War.
The Road to Revolution - You’ll learn more about the events and reasons for the colonists’ discontent between 1763 and 1776.
George Washington and the Continental Army - You’ll learn about George Washington and his Continental Army and their ups and downs in the early days of the war.
Key Battles and Leaders - You’ll learn about the most important battles and military leaders in the Revolutionary Period.
The End of the War - You’ll learn about the end of combat and the situation in the immediate aftermath of the revolution.
The Constitutional Convention - This lesson covers the reasons for the need for a stronger document to structure the new nation’s government.
The Presidency - You’ll learn about the first presidency and the challenges and triumphs of Washington’s two terms.
Writing DBQs -We’ll cover the “how to’s” of writing document-based questions (DBQs) to prepare you for the assignment and for future DBQs in the course and on the AP Exam.
Document Analysis - You’ll learn about how to analyze primary source documents to help you better write your first DBQ!
Module Review - You’ll review the module—the information you gained---as you prepare for the Unit Exam.

Textbook Readings

Read the chapters in your textbooks that relate to this module. Your instructor will provide you with a specific reading schedule.

American Yawp:

Boundless Readings:

Revolutionary Era Links to an external site.

Additional Supplemental Readings for More Information:

OpenStax:

Key Terms

Check out the flashcards to familiarize yourself with the vocabulary for this module before moving to the next page.

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