Fear of Peace: Congress During the Revolutionary War
- 11 years ago
Fear of Peace: Congress During the Revolutionary War
The Society of the Cincinnati - Massachusetts Historical Society
We often assume that the American Revolution ended in October 1781, after Lord Cornwallis surrendered his British army at Yorktown. In fact, the war effectively continued for two more traumatic years. During that time, the Revolution came as close to being lost as any time since it began. These were years during which political and personal tensions paralyzed the British government and the American Congress. Loyalists fearing a Patriot victory fled America to seek refuge in other parts of the Empire. When Congress failed to pay the army, rumors of mutiny roiled through the ranks culminating in the General's legendary address to his officers on March 15, 1783. At that moment, Washington saved the republic.
The Society of the Cincinnati - Massachusetts Historical Society
We often assume that the American Revolution ended in October 1781, after Lord Cornwallis surrendered his British army at Yorktown. In fact, the war effectively continued for two more traumatic years. During that time, the Revolution came as close to being lost as any time since it began. These were years during which political and personal tensions paralyzed the British government and the American Congress. Loyalists fearing a Patriot victory fled America to seek refuge in other parts of the Empire. When Congress failed to pay the army, rumors of mutiny roiled through the ranks culminating in the General's legendary address to his officers on March 15, 1783. At that moment, Washington saved the republic.