Module Five: The Revolution Is At Hand!�(1775 CE- 1784 CE)

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Professor Ryan Lancaster

Smallpox�(1775 CE)

• Although unaware of virology, English colonists understood the need to isolate smallpox cases to prevent its spread.
• Facing smallpox, colonists relied on quarantine or the controversial practice of inoculation.
• Fearing inoculation risks, many chose quarantine, sending infected individuals to remote areas for isolation.
• Entire towns were quarantined, as seen in the 1647 Puritan isolation of ships from the Caribbean.

Smallpox�(1775 CE)

• Upon leading the Continental Army, George Washington recognized smallpox's threat and prioritized containment.
• Washington quarantined soldiers and isolated them from infected civilians during an outbreak in Boston.
• Inoculation, introducing smallpox for immunity, was feared but effective in survivors.
• John and Abigail Adams promoted inoculation through personal example, fostering gradual acceptance.

Smallpox�(1775 CE)

• Knowing quarantine was insufficient, Washington chose to inoculate most of his troops.
• Despite inoculation risks, Washington prioritized long-term health and inoculated most of his army.
• Local officials feared inoculation would spread smallpox to civilians, but Washington persisted in immunizing his troops.
• Inoculating soldiers at Valley Forge helped them survive, bolstering the army and advancing American public health.

Colonial Hygiene

• Hygiene in the 1700s was shaped by practical needs, religious beliefs, and social standing.
• Full-body baths were rare, mainly given to infants to "harden" them, not to cleanse.
• Daily routines focused on rinsing the face and hands, with little emphasis on full bathing.
• Swimming was used to cool down, not for washing.

Colonial Hygiene

• Bathtubs were luxuries for the wealthy, leading to common sponge baths.
• Puritans linked cleanliness to spirituality, viewing uncleanliness as sinful.
• Cleanliness reflected moral character and social status.
• Bathing was thought to prevent sin and poverty.

Colonial Hygiene

• Puritans believed water cleansed both body and spirit, linking it to moral purity.
• Filth on the body was seen as a reflection of mental impurity.
• Hygiene was a marker of piety and social respectability.
• Cleanliness was believed to ward off sin and maintain societal well-being.

Women in the Revolution

• On November 16, 1776, Margaret Corbin took over her husband’s cannon at Fort Washington, was severely injured, and heroically defended against Hessian troops.
• Initially a nurse, Corbin joined the fight after her husband’s death, refusing to let him fight alone.
• Having learned artillery from her husband, Corbin impressed soldiers with her skill in firing and cleaning the cannon under pressure.
• Her bravery led her to become the first woman to receive a Congressional pension for war injuries.

Women in the Revolution

• In June 1778, at the Battle of Monmouth, Mary Hays, later known as “Molly Pitcher,” provided water to soldiers amidst British fire.
• When her husband collapsed from heat exhaustion, Mary took over his cannon, loading and firing under enemy attack.
• After the battle, General Washington recognized her bravery, granting her a warrant as a noncommissioned officer, earning her the name “Sergeant Molly.”
• Mary Hays' legacy became the "Molly Pitcher" legend, symbolizing women's valor in the Revolutionary War.

Women in the Revolution

• Deborah Sampson, disguised as a man, enlisted as Timothy Thayer in 1782, but was discovered and expelled from her church.
• Undeterred, she enlisted again as Robert Shirtliff, fighting in several battles and sustaining severe injuries.
• Sampson removed a musket ball from her thigh herself to avoid discovery, carrying another for life.
• In 1783, her true identity was revealed after falling ill, leading to her honorable discharge from the army.

The Physical Toll�(1776 CE)

• Disease killed more Revolutionary War soldiers than combat, exposing severe health crises.
• Soldiers faced poor diets, worn clothing, and unsanitary conditions, leading to widespread illness.
• Injured soldiers often healed better without treatment from ineffective doctors of the time.
• The Continental Congress's first pension law granted half-pay for life or disability to those who lost limbs or were disabled in service.

The Physical Toll

• Congress relied on states to manage and fund pensions due to a lack of authority.
• Formal veteran benefits began in 1789, recognizing service-related disabilities.
• Many pension records were lost in fires in 1800 and 1814, complicating record-keeping.
• The 1782 Act revealed 1,500 invalid pensioners mistakenly listed.
• From 1780, pensions provided half-pay for life to officers and widows, with an extension for officers serving until 1788.

The Physical Toll

• Daniel F. Bakeman, the last Revolutionary War soldier, died on April 15, 1869, aged 109, with 887 widows still receiving pensions.
• In 1906, Esther S. Damon was still on the pension list, dying on November 11 that year.
• By 1818, 20,485 soldiers had received pensions, with 1,200 in 1828 and 33,425 in 1832.
• In 1789, the Federal Government took over invalid pensions for Continental Line soldiers and later assumed South Carolina’s pensions by 1804.

Latinos in the American Revolution

• Bernardo de Galvez, born in Spain, was the governor of Louisiana during the American Revolution and a key ally to the Continental Army.
• Galvez s. He playedGeorge Washington by blockading British ships, even before Spain officially declared war on Britain.
• From 1775 to 1777, he provided the Continental Army with weapons, food, and resources.
• After Spain declared war in 1779, Galvez led a militia of Native Americans, freed African Americans, and soldiers in battles against the British.

Latinos in the American Revolution

• His forces captured British forts in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Natchez, weakening British control.
• Galvez expanded his campaign, capturing Mobile and Pensacola, further reducing British influence in the Gulf.
• He contributed to the American victory at Yorktown, helping defeat the British.

Latinos in the American Revolution

• Francisco de Miranda, born in Venezuela, fought in the American Revolution, including at the Siege of Fort Pensacola in 1781.
• Miranda earned the rank of lieutenant colonel for his contributions under General Galvez and helped in the capture of the Bahamas and Yorktown.
• Cuba donated 1.2 million pounds sterling, allowing Washington to equip thousands of troops, a sum worth $28 million, which contributed to honoring Galvez by inviting him to join the July 4, 1783, victory parade.

African Americans in the Revolution

• Thousands of enslaved African Americans fled to British lines during the War for Independence, lured by promises of freedom for military service.
• In South Carolina, about 25,000 enslaved people—one-quarter of the state's enslaved population—escaped to the British or abandoned plantations.
• African Americans served both sides in the war, from infantry to naval roles, showing their essential contributions.
• From Lexington and Concord to Yorktown, African Americans fought for the American cause and distinguished themselves on the battlefield.

African Americans in the Revolution

• African Americans also served in the American Navy, expanding their role beyond land-based conflicts.
• Historians debate the numbers, but freedom and a better life motivated African Americans to enlist with both the British and Americans.
• Slavery persisted in all 13 colonies, leading some colonists to question if free African Americans should join the Continental Army.
• Initially barred, free blacks were eventually allowed to enlist as the demand for soldiers grew.

African Americans in the Revolution

• Early in the war, African Americans served alongside white soldiers, though later, they were segregated into separate units.
• In July 1775, George Washington, a slaveholder, took command of the Continental Army and initially banned African American enlistment, fearing rebellion.
• Washington's manservant, William Lee, stayed by his side throughout the war, illustrating Washington's complex relationship with slavery.
• Lord Dunmore's 1775 proclamation offering freedom to enslaved Africans who joined the British led Congress and Washington to allow free blacks into the Continental Army.

Jews in the Revolution

• Jewish contributions to the American Revolution are often overlooked due to their small population.
• Jewish Americans, like other colonists, opposed British taxation and supported independence.
• Reuben Etting of Baltimore joined the war after hearing of Lexington, traveling to Massachusetts to fight.
• Captured by the British, Etting refused pork due to his faith and survived on scraps from fellow prisoners.

Jews in the Revolution

• Etting's health declined in captivity, and he died soon after his release.
• His cousin, also Reuben Etting, served in the war and was appointed U.S. marshal by President Jefferson in 1801.
• Haym Salomon, a key financier of the Revolution, sacrificed his wealth to support the American cause.
• Of the 1,500 Jews in the colonies, about 200 lived in Newport, Rhode Island, the largest Jewish community.

Jews in the Revolution

• Jewish loyalties were split, as David Franks supplied the British while his relatives served in the Continental Army.
• For many Jews, the Revolution was their first chance to fight as equals alongside Christians.
• Jews fought at key battles like Bunker Hill and Valley Forge.
• Jewish shipowners, like Isaac Moses, equipped privateers and supplied the army through blockades.

Muslims and the Revolution

• During the American Revolution, George Washington forged a critical alliance with Sidi Muhammad bin Abdullah, Sultan of Morocco.
• The Sultan allowed American ships to dock in Moroccan ports, granting crucial access to international waters.
• This partnership paved the way for the 1790 Treaty of Marrakech, strengthening America's independence from Britain.
• Washington's alliance with Sidi Muhammad bin Abdullah shows his openness to Muslim leaders in the war effort.

Muslims and the Revolution

• Muslims like Benjamin Ishmael and Bampett Muhammad served in Washington's "Virginia Line," aiding the Continental Army.
• Muslim participation in the Revolution highlights the diverse fight for American independence.
• Salem Poor, an enslaved African-American, bought his freedom in 1769 for 27 pounds and later joined the Continental Army.

Muslims and the Revolution

• After his emancipation, Poor committed to the cause of independence, enlisting in the Continental Army.
• Poor's bravery was pivotal in the Battle of Bunker Hill, where he killed British Lieutenant Colonel James Abercrombie.
• In 1775, Massachusetts' General Court honored Poor for his courage, a rare recognition for an African-American soldier.
• Contributions from figures like Salem Poor and Muslim soldiers reflect the diverse backgrounds in America's fight for freedom.

Sex and the Revolution

• John Adams was known for telling dirty jokes, while Benjamin Franklin often visited Philadelphia's red-light district.
• Franklin, charming and sophisticated, openly pursued romantic relationships.
• In a famous letter, Franklin advised seeking older mistresses for their discretion and experience.
• He bluntly remarked that while older women lose their looks, their lower bodies remain attractive longer.

Sex and the Revolution

• Though premarital sex was frowned upon, it was familiar enough to prompt "bundling."
• Bundling involved placing couples in sacks or separating them with a wooden board while they shared a bed.
• By the late 1700s, despite disapproval, 33% of colonial brides were pregnant at their wedding.

Sex and the Revolution

• "Handfasting" allowed couples to marry by simply declaring themselves married without formal documentation.
• Without records, spouses could quickly desert marriages after consummation.
• Same-sex relationships existed despite being forbidden in Revolutionary-era America.
• Thomas Jefferson, despite his liberal ideals, enslaved people and fathered six children with Sally Hemings, confirmed by DNA tests.

The Fourth of July

• July 2, 1776: The Continental Congress voted for independence; New York abstained but later supported it.
• July 2, 1776: John Adams predicted the date would become a significant annual festival with parades, games, and fireworks.
• July 4, 1776: The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, authored by Thomas Jefferson.
• July 4, 1776: Independence Day was officially celebrated on the 4th, though the vote was on the 2nd.
• Pre-Revolutionary Era: Colonists celebrated the king's birthday with bells, bonfires, and processions.

The Fourth of July

• Summer of 1776: Some colonists held mock funerals for King George III to mark the end of British rule.
• Post-Adoption Celebrations: Initial public readings of the Declaration were celebrated with concerts, bonfires, and gunfire.
• July 4, 1777: Philadelphia hosted the first Independence Day celebration; Congress was busy with the Revolutionary War.
• 1778: George Washington marked independence by giving soldiers double rations of rum.
• 1781: Massachusetts was the first state to officially recognize July 4 as a holiday before the Yorktown victory.

The Fourth of July

• Late 18th Century: Political parties led to separate Fourth of July celebrations in many cities.
• July 4, 1777: Fireworks began with a 13-gun salute and displays over Boston Common during the first organized celebration in Philadelphia.
• Post-War of 1812: Independence Day celebrations became more widespread as the U.S. faced Britain again.
• 1870: Congress made July 4 a federal holiday, with paid leave for federal employees added in 1941.
• Modern Era: Independence Day is celebrated with family gatherings, fireworks, and barbecues, symbolized by the American flag and "The Star-Spangled Banner."

The Declaration of Independence

• The Declaration of Independence was the first formal claim by a nation to choose its government, a revolutionary idea at the time.
• In April 1775, American colonists initially fought for their rights as British subjects, not for independence.
• By mid-1776, as the Revolutionary War intensified, support for independence grew, pushing the Continental Congress toward a break with Britain.
• In June 1776, a committee including Jefferson, Adams, and Franklin was tasked with drafting a formal statement of the colonies' intentions.

The Declaration of Independence

• On July 4, 1776, Congress adopted Jefferson's Declaration of Independence, symbolizing the birth of American independence.
• Like John Adams, early independence advocates were seen as radicals for pushing to break from Britain.
• In October 1775, King George III condemned the colonies and called for more troops to suppress the rebellion.
• News of the king's message in January 1776 bolstered the independence cause, even among moderate colonists.

The Declaration of Independence

• On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee's motion for independence ignited debate in Congress, delaying the vote.
• Before adjourning, Congress appointed a committee to justify independence, leading to the drafting of the Declaration.
• Jefferson's draft had five parts: introduction, preamble, grievances, and conclusion.
• After revisions, Congress adopted the Declaration on July 4, 1776, marking a pivotal moment for the U.S. and global democracy.

Francis Marion

• Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox," was a key American Revolution officer known for guerrilla warfare against the British.
• In 1757, he enlisted with his brother to fight in the French and Indian War, beginning his military career.
• Marion became captain of the 2nd South Carolina Regiment on June 21, 1775, and helped defend Charleston in 1776.
• He fought in the failed 1779 Siege of Savannah to reclaim the city from British control.

Francis Marion

• In 1780, Marion evaded capture during the siege of Charleston due to a broken ankle.
• After Charleston fell, Marion formed a 20-70-man resistance force in South Carolina despite his injury.
• Marion's swift attacks and retreats harassed Loyalists and confused British forces.
• His men fought without pay, supplying their horses, arms, and provisions.

Francis Marion

• Banastre Tarleton called him the "Swamp Fox" after failing to capture him in a 26-mile chase in 1780.
• On August 31, 1780, Marion rescued an American force surrounded by 500 British troops, earning praise from the Continental Congress.
• The 2000 film The Patriot exaggerated Marion's life, inaccurately portraying him as a family-man hero.
• British historians, like Neil Norman and Christopher Hibbert, have criticized Marion's involvement in atrocities and challenged his heroic status.

Colonial Hygiene

• Due to the lack of dentists in colonial America, barbers, surgeons, apothecaries, and blacksmiths often performed tooth extractions.
• Before extraction, people used figs, chamomile, alcohol, and opium for toothache relief, reflecting folk medicine.
• Extracted teeth were sometimes reinserted, or replacements were made from wood, ivory, metal, or teeth from low-income people.
• George Washington wore dentures made of metal, wire, and animal teeth, which caused discomfort and altered his appearance.

Colonial Hygiene

• Middle- and upper-class colonists wore powdered wigs as status symbols to prevent lice.
• Lice were common, so wigs were boiled to kill bugs and covered in fragrant powders to mask odors and repel insects.
• Chamber pots were emptied by throwing contents near homes, contaminating water sources.
• Human waste pollutes water, spreading disease due to poor sanitation.

Colonial Hygiene

• Earpicks were used for hygiene tasks like cleaning nails and gathering earwax, sometimes replacing beeswax.
• Wealthy colonists imported fragrant soaps, but most used harsh lye soap for cleaning household items.
• Colonial women rarely shaved due to societal norms and the dangers of the process.
• George Washington ordered his troops to maintain cleanliness during the Revolutionary War, though these orders were often ignored.

Baron Friedrich von Stuben�(1778 CE)

• Baron von Steuben, a valued aide to King Frederick II of Prussia, was known for his military expertise.
• His acceptance into Frederick's court suggested von Steuben's homosexuality, given Frederick's open reputation.
• Benjamin Franklin saw von Steuben as ideal for imposing discipline on American forces during their war with Britain.
• Von Steuben initially declined, but threats of prosecution for his homosexuality in Prussia pushed him to join.

Baron Friedrich von Stuben�(1778 CE)

• Without funds, Congress relied on secret French financial aid to cover his travel and service costs.
• Von Steuben arrived in America with a 17-year-old French nobleman who was an ineffective translator.
• General Washington assigned Alexander Hamilton and John Laurens to assist von Steuben as translators.
• Washington selected 100 elite infantry soldiers to form a model brigade for von Steuben's training.

Baron Friedrich von Stuben�(1778 CE)

• Army drills under von Steuben's leadership began on March 19, 1778, earning soldiers' admiration.
• Impressed, Washington expanded the training to the entire army, improving discipline.
• Five weeks later, von Steuben became the first Inspector General of the Continental Army.
• In 1780, von Steuben served as a division commander at the Siege of Yorktown, aiding in the victory.

Gadsden Flag�(1775 CE)

• The Gadsden flag, with its yellow background, coiled rattlesnake, and "Don't tread on me" motto, is a notable symbol in modern America.
• The rattlesnake symbol first appeared in 1751 in Benjamin Franklin's Pennsylvania Gazette as a critique of England's practice of sending convicts to America.
• The Gazette humorously suggested sending rattlesnakes to Britain to inhabit noble gardens in retaliation.
• Over 25 years, the rattlesnake became a symbol of colonial resistance against British rule and the push for independence.

Gadsden Flag�(1775 CE)

• In 1775, the Continental Congress established the Navy to disrupt British arms shipments, a key moment in the Revolutionary War.
• Christopher Gadsden proposed a unified Navy flag with a rattlesnake and "Don't tread on me," which was quickly adopted by the Continental Congress.
• The flag first flew during the Continental Navy’s successful 1776 mission in the Bahamas, with the rattlesnake representing the 13 colonies.
• The rattlesnake's silent rattle symbolizes the colonies’ united strength and resilience.

Gadsden Flag�(1775 CE)

• Native to North America and known for striking only when threatened, the rattlesnake mirrored colonial determination.
• In Charleston, South Carolina, the Gadsden flag remains a prominent symbol with historical and regional importance.
• From the 1970s, the flag was adopted by libertarian groups for individual freedoms and limited government, and later by the Tea Party in 2009, and has since been associated with far-right movements, including the 2014 Las Vegas shootings and the 2021 Capitol storming.

Yankee Doodle�(1775 CE)

• By the 1750s, "Yankee Doodle" was widely known, gaining prominence before the American Revolution.
• In 1755, British doctor Richard Schuckburg reportedly added lyrics to "Yankee Doodle" to mock American allies as unsophisticated and cowardly.
• Schuckburg's lyrics derided American fighters as "doodles" and "dandies," implying rustic simplicity and pretentiousness.
• The origin of "Yankee" is uncertain, but one theory links it to the Dutch nickname "Little Jan" used by early settlers.

Yankee Doodle�(1775 CE)

• The British used "Yankee" pejoratively for all American colonists, which later became the name of a New York baseball team.
• On April 19, 1775, about 700 British soldiers marched out of Boston to seize suspected American weapons and ammunition.
• The overconfident British underestimated the Minutemen, who were ready to fight.
• British fifers and drummers played "Yankee Doodle" to taunt American colonists as they moved through the countryside.

Yankee Doodle�(1775 CE)

• In Lexington, British soldiers clashed with Minutemen on the village green, resulting in eight American casualties.
• After Lexington, British troops retreated to Boston, ambushed by colonial militias along their route.
• During the retreat, colonial forces sang "Yankee Doodle" in retaliation.
• "Yankee Doodle" became the Continental Army's unofficial anthem, symbolizing American patriotism during the Revolutionary War, including the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781 and the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

Miscellaneous Stories of the Rebellion

• On April 26, 1777, 16-year-old Sybil Ludington rode through rain to warn militias of a British attack, covering 20 to 40 miles.
• Her courageous ride, similar to Paul Revere’s, was largely unrecognized.
• At the Battle of Germantown in October 1777, General Washington led American forces against British General Howe.
• A dog with Howe’s collar appeared on the battlefield, leading to a note from Alexander Hamilton and the dog’s return.

Miscellaneous Stories of the Rebellion

• Conrad Heyer, born in 1749, served in the Continental Army and lived to 106, becoming the first person photographed at 103 in 1852.
• On September 7, 1776, the "Turtle," a wooden vessel by David Bushnell, was used to attack British ships, but Ezra Lee’s mission only caused minor damage.
• Benjamin Franklin’s son, William, was a loyalist during the Revolutionary War, leading to his imprisonment and estrangement from his father.
• Despite reconciliation attempts in 1782, Benjamin Franklin could not forgive William for his loyalty to King George III.

Miscellaneous Stories of the Rebellion

• Post-war negotiations set a border "through Lake Superior northward of the Isles Royal and Phelipeaux."
• The location of Phelipeaux remained unknown until it was confirmed nonexistent in 1820.
• Sybil Ludington’s ride involved a challenging overnight journey.
• William Franklin’s loyalty to the British Crown deeply hurt his father, Benjamin Franklin.

Fallout from the American Revolution

• About 15-20% of American colonists remained loyal to the British crown and were distressed by the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781, resulting in violence against them by Patriot groups.
• Loyalists faced mob violence from Patriot gangs who targeted their homes and assaulted them for supporting Britain.
• As the British withdrew, many Loyalists fled with them to escape retribution.
• After the British defeat at Yorktown, Prime Minister Lord North resigned in disgrace due to his failed diplomatic efforts with the Conciliation Plan.

Fallout from the American Revolution

• The British offer to end oppression in exchange for the colonies' surrender was rejected, leading to continued conflict.
• Peace talks began in Paris in 1782, where British representative Richard Oswald and American delegates Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams drafted a settlement.
• The preliminary Articles of Peace were signed, setting the stage for the formal treaty that ended the war.
• One month after the British left American soil, George Washington resigned as commander of the US Army, a significant act of patriotism and selflessness.

Fallout from the American Revolution

• Washington's resignation was a commitment to the nation over personal power.
• After resigning, Washington returned to his estate at Mount Vernon, resuming life as a private citizen and plantation owner.
• In the 1780s, Massachusetts faced an economic crisis that drove many farmers into severe debt, leading to property loss and imprisonment.
• The state's harsh response, including military action against rebelling farmers, contributed to the governor's defeat in the next election.
• The Articles of Confederation, created in 1777, lacked the power to effect substantial change or levy taxes, prompting the 1786 Philadelphia Convention to draft a new constitution.
• The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, establishing a stronger governance framework and leading to George Washington's election as the first president in 1789.

The Founding Fathers

• In 1998, renovations at Benjamin Franklin's London home revealed 1,200 bone fragments from about 15 people, including six children, exposing Franklin's hidden involvement in anatomy studies.
• Franklin's secret anatomy school obtained bodies from graveyards and gallows, highlighting early anatomists' ethical and legal dilemmas.
• George Washington exploited legal loopholes to sidestep the Gradual Abolition Act of 1780 by moving enslaved people out of Pennsylvania every six months to avoid their emancipation.
• Washington evaded abolition laws by periodically removing enslaved individuals from Pennsylvania, showing his commitment to preserving slavery.

The Founding Fathers

• "Honest John" Hart, the oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence, suffered severe personal losses, including his wife's death and his children's displacement, due to his Revolutionary War patriotism.
• After signing the Declaration, John Hart faced property destruction, livestock loss, and hardship from British aggression, including living in hiding.
• During the 1793 Philadelphia yellow fever epidemic, Dr. Benjamin Rush's harmful treatments like bloodletting and forced vomiting worsened patient outcomes despite peer criticism.
• Dr. Benjamin Rush's ineffective treatments during the yellow fever outbreak reflected his stubbornness and the era's limited medical knowledge.

The Founding Fathers

• As the second U.S. President, John Adams faced challenges like the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts, which restricted free speech and led to his single term.
• Judge George Wythe, a Declaration signer, was poisoned by his grandnephew amid a family dispute, highlighting issues of personal trust and justice.
• Judge Wythe's poisoning involved his grandnephew and Lydia Broadnax, whose invalidated testimony led to the accused's acquittal.
• Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death" speech overshadowed his wife Sarah's tragic decline from postpartum depression, leading to her harsh confinement.
• Sarah Henry's mental illness was treated with brutal methods, including straightjacket confinement, reflecting the era's lack of compassion and Patrick Henry's struggle to protect both her and his reputation.

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Gouverneur Morris

• "We the People of the United States," a renowned Constitutional phrase, was written by Gouverneur Morris, an enigmatic yet impactful Founding Father.
• Morris condemned slavery as a "nefarious institution" at the Constitutional Convention, showing his strong moral stance despite his complex personal life.
• Born in the Bronx and educated in Europe, Morris was audacious and unconventional among the Founding Fathers.

Gouverneur Morris

• In France, Morris had a lengthy affair with a married woman living in the Louvre, highlighting his adventurous lifestyle.
• Morris's diary euphemistically referred to their sexual activities as "celebrating," reflecting his candid, often risqué reflections.
• At 57, Morris married his 22-year-old housekeeper, Anne Gary Randolph, who had a controversial past.

Gouverneur Morris

• Randolph, known as Nancy, faced scandal in 1792 for alleged adultery and murder but was acquitted.
• At 32, Morris lost his leg in a carriage accident, a result of an altercation with a jealous husband.
• Despite his prosthetic leg, Morris used it to fend off revolutionaries while serving as US Minister to France.
• In his later years, Morris's urethral blockage, possibly from prostate cancer, led him to use a whalebone for self-treatment, which caused severe complications and contributed to his death.

Treaty of Six Nations�(1784 CE)

• The Treaty of Fort Stanwix, signed October 22, 1784, was the first post-Revolutionary War treaty between the U.S. and the Iroquois Confederacy.
• It followed the British surrender, which ignored Native American allies’ rights.
• The Treaty of Paris ended the Revolutionary War but left Native American land claims unresolved.
• The Treaty of Fort Stanwix sought peace and addressed land claims from Iroquois conquests in the Beaver Wars.

Treaty of Six Nations�(1784 CE)

• The Iroquois ceded claims to the Ohio territory, the Niagara River area, and land west of Buffalo Creek, reducing their holdings.
• The Six Nations at Buffalo Creek opposed the treaty, questioning the authority of their delegates and seeking compensation.
• The treaty led to more treaties and land sales, reshaping Native American lands and relations.
• While it reduced Western conflict, it spurred colonial expansion into the frontier.

Treaty of Six Nations�(1784 CE)

• The opened lands contributed to the formation of new states, such as Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
• The treaty severely weakened the Iroquois League, already battered by the war.
• The Iroquois Confederacy’s influence declined sharply, diminishing its role in North American politics.
• The Iroquois never regained their former influence, becoming minor players in American territorial expansion.

WORK CITED