▶ Key Takeaways
- The Declaration of Independence was written more than a year after the Revolutionary War began.
- The 56 signers of the Declaration knew they were committing treason against King George of England and that they would be executed if the colonies lost the war.
- The first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence was celebrated in Philadelphia with decorated boats on the Delaware River, fireworks, and a 13-gun salute.
- Three months later, in September 1777, the British captured Philadelphia and the Continental Congress had to flee.
- Despite the loss of Philadelphia, George Washington defeated the British at Saratoga in October 1777.
- After the victory at Saratoga, the French entered the war in alliance with the American colonies.
- It is highly unlikely the colonies would have defeated the British Army without the assistance of the French Army and Navy.
A war.
A Declaration of Independence.
More war… for 5 long years after the Declaration.
Farmers, merchants, pastors, teenagers… fighting against the greatest, most professional, most disciplined army in the world at that time.
The outcome of the War of Independence was in doubt on July 4th, 1776 – the date we celebrate our nation’s birth.
The outcome of the war was very much in doubt on July 4th, 1777 – our nation’s first birthday.
There might not have even been a second birthday celebration.
Here are 5 facts about our nation’s early history you should know:
1. The War of Independence – a.k.a. The Revolutionary War – began before the Declaration of Independence was written.
No one knows for sure which side fired “the shot heard ‘round the world.”
It happened early in the morning on April 19, 1775 on Lexington Green in Massachusetts.
After the initial shot, the British troops fired a volley, killing 8 colonists.
Later the same morning, a battle occurred at the North Bridge in Concord, resulting in the first British deaths.
The war was on.
2. The signers of the Declaration of Independence knew they were committing treason against the British Crown.
The 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence knew that if the colonies were not able to defeat the British army on the battlefield, they would be executed as traitors – by hanging.
The concluding paragraph of the Declaration begins with the words:
“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States…”
First they appealed to God – “the Supreme Judge of the world” – to give them success.
And then they made an irrevocable, unbreakable commitment to God:
“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
These weren’t empty words…
Some of the signers had their homes burned to the ground by British troops.
Some lost everything and died penniless.
They knew what the cost would be if they failed… and they were willing to pay that cost with their lives.
3. The war was not going so well for America on our first birthday.
New York had been captured by the British in 1776.
The British had significant advantages over the colonies:
- In manpower
- In supplies
- In naval power
Two American victories boosted morale after the loss of New York:
- Trenton – late 1776
- Princeton – early 1777
But the British were planning a major campaign to capture Philadelphia – the American capital – and split the colonies.
Despite the threat, the Continental Congress celebrated the first Independence Day with festivities described by John Adams:
- Ship decorations on the Delaware River
- A 13-gun salute
- Bell-ringing in the city
- Toasts
- Fireworks
Meanwhile, British forces were advancing toward Philadelphia.
They defeated Washington at the Battle of Brandywine in September.
They occupied the city in late September.
The Continental Congress had to flee.
The brutal winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge followed…
The future of the one-year-old baby nation looked bleak…
4. The turning point of the war.
British General John Burgoyne was advancing on the New England colonies from Canada.
Called the Saratoga campaign, the British strategy was to isolate New England.
George Washington and the main Continental Army positioned themselves to counter British moves in the mid-Atlantic region.
Washington defeated the British at Saratoga in October 1777.
This victory turned out to be a major turning point in the War for Independence.
Why?
Two reasons:
1. It helped secure alliance and help from the French
2. It gave Washington and his troops the resolve to survive the brutal winter at Valley Forge.
5. It took 6 ½ years of war and nearly 2 years of negotiations for Great Britain to recognize the United States of America as an independent nation.
The War of Independence lasted longer than:
- The Civil War
- World War I
- World War II
It began on April 19, 1975…
Six-and-a-half years later – on October 19, 1781 – the British surrendered to George Washington and the Continental Army at Yorktown, Virginia.
The American victory was made possible through help from French Army and Navy forces.
This victory prompted King George to negotiate for peace.
The war officially ended on September 3, 1783 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.
An estimated 25,000 Americans died during the war – approximately 6,800 on the battlefield – and the rest from disease.
Military deaths on the British side were approximately 43,600…
Between 8,500 and 9,300 were killed in action – with the vast majority dying from typhus, smallpox, dysentery and other diseases.
Conclusion:
Historians overwhelmingly believe the colonists could not have defeated the British army without help from France.
France delivered critical supplies to the Continental Army during the latter years of the war:
- Arms, cannon, uniforms
- 90% of the gunpowder
- Experienced military officers and advisers
- Crucial naval forces that prevented the British from resupplying its troops
The last major battle of the War of Independence occurred at Yorktown, Virginia in the fall of 1781.
The key to the American victory and the British surrender was the naval blockade of British forces by the French Navy.[1]
Britain couldn’t bring in fresh troops… or necessary supplies to the troops that were trapped.
But what caused France to help the colonies in their cause to be a free and independent nation?
Could it be that God intervened?
The signers of the Declaration of Independence appealed to God – the Supreme Judge of the world – for the “rectitude” or the rightness of their intentions.
They believed they were following not only the will of the people… but also the will of God.
As we just celebrated the 250th anniversary of our independence as a nation, let’s remember to give thanks to the God who made our independence and our liberty possible.
Action:
1. Read the Declaration of Independence in its entirety. If you don’t have a copy, you can download it HERE.
2. Read the U.S. Constitution in its entirety. If you don’t already have a copy, you can download it HERE.
What do you think? Email me at [email protected].
FAQs:
Q: When did the War of Independence begin?
A. It began on April 19, 1775, with the Battles of Lexington and Concord—more than a year before the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776.
Q: Why was signing the Declaration of Independence an act of treason?
A. By declaring independence from Great Britain, the signers openly rejected the authority of King George III. If the American colonies had lost the war, the signers risked execution for treason against the British Crown.
Q. What does the Declaration of Independence say about God?
A. The Declaration states that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. This is a direct reference to God as the creator of mankind. It also appeals to the “Supreme Judge of the world” and to “divine Providence.”
Q: How was the first Independence Day celebrated in Philadelphia?
A. It was celebrated with decorated boats on the Delaware River, bell ringing, public toasts, and fireworks.
Q: Why is the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777 considered a turning point in the Revolutionary War?
A. The American victory convinced France that the colonies had a realistic chance of defeating Britain. France soon entered the war as an ally, providing military, financial, and naval support that proved decisive.
Q: How important was France to America’s victory in the Revolutionary War?
A. Most historians agree that French assistance was essential to the American victory. France supplied arms, ammunition, military advisers, financial aid, soldiers, and a powerful navy that helped trap British forces at Yorktown.
Q: How long did the Revolutionary War last?
A. The war lasted approximately six and a half years, beginning in April 1775 and ending with the British surrender at Yorktown in October 1781.
Q. When did Great Britain officially recognize the United States as an independent nation?
A. Great Britain formally recognized American independence with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783.
About Craig Huey:
Craig Huey is a Christian political commentator, and marketing expert. He is the author of The Great Deception: 10 Shocking Dangers and the Blueprint for Rescuing the American Dream, exposing the lies of socialism and defending America’s founding principles. He publishes The Huey Alert and hosts the Huey Alert Podcast with his wife Shelly. Together, they stand at the intersection of faith, politics, and culture, helping Christians understand the issues shaping America today.
[1] https://www.nps.gov/york/index.htm