A Critical Time Chapter 6 Section 2

Retreat from New York Mid 1776, fighting shifts from New England to the middle states. June 1776, Sir William Howe (British) gathered his forces on Staten Island. Washington expected this, but he didn’t have enough troops. The British won the Battle of Long Island Washington had to abandon New York City

Nathan Hale An American legend Connecticut officer Volunteered for dangerous spy duty: to collect information about British battle plans on Long Island Caught behind British lines Condemned to death (hanged)

Surprises for the British To raise the morale of the Continental Army, Thomas Paine wrote another Pamphlet “The Crisis” Urged Americans to support the army, regardless of hard times

Crossing the Delaware Christmas night 1776 Washington and troops cross the Delaware River in small boats Early in the morning on December 26, they attacked Trenton from two sides.

An American Victory The attack brought an American Victory. Soldiers in Trenton were Hessians (men from Hesse, a German state) Mercenaries fighting for the British (soldiers paid to fight for a country other than their own) Washington’s army captured almost 1,000 Hessian Mercenaries.

Saratoga: A Turning Point British General John Burgoyne made a plan to end the rebellion. His goal: to cut off New England from the rest of the states.

The British Plan Burgoyne’s plan called for British forces to move toward Albany, NY in three directions Ran into trouble almost immediately Howe’s forces had already moved south

An American Victory American commander: General Horatio Gates At the village of Saratoga, NY, the Americans surrounded the British. British suffered heavy casualties Burgoyne surrendered on October 17, 1777.

Results of the Battle Battle of Saratoga: major turning point in the war Victory ended British threat to New England Destroyed British hopes of an easy victory Lifted Patriots spirits Convinced Europeans that Americans had a chance to win

Help from Overseas Feb. 1778, France formed an alliance with the United States

The French Alliance France and its allies in the Netherlands and Spain also went to war with Britain. This helped America because the British had fewer troops to fight in North America.

European Volunteers Many Europeans volunteered to serve with American forces. French noble, Marquis de Lafayette, became a high ranking officer in Washington’s army…became very close with Washington Volunteers from Poland Thaddeus Koscuisko: engineer- built fortifications at West Point Casimir Pulaski led and trained Calvary

Baron Von Steuben German Helped train the Continental army Served in the Prussian army (best in Europe) Taught soldiers how to march, improve their aim, and attack with bayonets Shaped the Continental army into a more effective force

Valley Forge Valley Forge, Pennsylvania Conditions were horrible—cold, no shoes, no food, sickness Americans learned about this and sent help Women collected food, clothes, medicine, ammunition Some went to Valley Forge to tend to the sick