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Difficulty: MediumThe Revolutionary War: Military and Diplomacy

"The Acts of the British Parliament, the Commission from your Sovereign, and your Letter, suppose the People of these States to be Subjects of the Crown of Great Britain, and are founded on the Idea of Dependence, which is utterly inadmissible. ... Congress will be ready to enter into a Treaty of Peace and Commerce, not inconsistent with Treaties already subsisting, when the King of Great Britain shall demonstrate a sincere Disposition for that Purpose. The only solid Proof of this Disposition will be, an explicit Acknowledgement of the Independence of these States, or the withdrawing his Fleets and Armies."

— Henry Laurens, President of the Continental Congress, letter to the British Peace Commissioners, June 17, 1778

Which of the following historical developments most directly prompted the British government to send the peace commission referenced in the excerpt?

  1. A
    The formal signing of the Treaty of Paris ending all military hostilities
  2. B
    The colonial submission of the Olive Branch Petition seeking reconciliation
  3. The French entry into the war following the American victory at SaratogaAnswer
  4. D
    The ratification of the Articles of Confederation by the required thirteen states

Answer

The French entry into the war following the American victory at Saratoga
The correct answer is correct because the British defeat at the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777 and the subsequent signing of the Franco-American alliance in early 1778 placed Great Britain in a precarious military position. Fearing a wider global war, the British Parliament authorized the Carlisle Peace Commission to offer the American colonies a return to the pre-1763 status quo, including self-rule within the empire. The Continental Congress, having already declared independence and secured the French alliance, rejected the commission's terms.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the date and context of the primary source.
The letter is dated June 17, 1778, and is written by Henry Laurens, President of the Continental Congress, to British Peace Commissioners who are attempting to offer peace terms.
Establishing the historical timeline is crucial for identifying the causal factors and avoiding chronological errors.
2
Identify the key military turning point that occurred shortly before 1778.
The Battle of Saratoga (October 1777) resulted in a major British surrender and convinced France to sign formal treaties of alliance with the United States in early 1778.
The threat of French entry changed British military strategy and forced them to seek a political reconciliation to avoid a global conflict.
3
Evaluate the options to find the development that prompted the British initiative.
The French entry into the war following Saratoga matches the context and timeline, as the British hoped to reconcile with the colonies before French military aid arrived.
This links the military outcome directly to the diplomatic shift that occurred in early 1778.

Key Concept

The diplomatic and strategic consequences of the Battle of Saratoga and the resulting Franco-American alliance.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

The Revolutionary War: Military and Diplomacy

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