18. Fighting the Revolution: The Big Picture

The American Revolution (HIST 116)

Today's lecture concludes Professor Freeman's discussion of the four phases of the Revolutionary War. America's victory at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777 marked the end of the third phase of the war, and led to a turning point in the conflict: France's decision to recognize American independence and enter into an alliance with the fledging nation. Although the British made one final attempt at reconciliation in 1778 with the Conciliatory Propositions, they were rejected by the Continental Congress. The fourth and final phase of the war lasted from 1779 to 1781, as the British Army focused its attention on the American South. The British seized Charleston and South Carolina, and defeated the Continental Army in a series of battles. But with the help of the French fleet, Washington was able to defeat Cornwallis's army at the Battle of Yorktown in 1781. Peace negotiations to end the Revolutionary War began in Paris in June of 1782.

00:00 - Chapter 1. Introduction: The Revolution was Not Inevitable
04:46 - Chapter 2. Summary of the First Three Phases of the War
12:13 - Chapter 3. Franklin in Paris and France's Recognition of America
21:20 - Chapter 4. The British Conciliatory Propositions and their Rejection
25:09 - Chapter 5. The Final Phase: Valley Forge and the American South
39:04 - Chapter 6. The French Impact on the War and Peace Negotiations in Paris
45:08 - Chapter 7. Victory, Independence, and Uncertainty

Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: http://open.yale.edu/courses

This course was recorded in Spring 2010.