American Histor y Chapter 3, Section 3 The War for Independence

The opposing sides Colonial Advantage British Disadvantage Fighting on home ground Fighting on unfamiliar, hostile territory Fighting far away from Britain and resources Good decisions by generals, and good at guerilla warfare Troops really didn’t care, many merchants and members of Parliament were against the war Fighting for their rights and freedom French alliance: Loans Navy troops

The opposing sides (2) rag Colonial disadvantages British advantages Food and ammunition shortages Lots of resources (food and ammunition) Untrained soldiers, small army; many deserted or went home to plant or harvest crops Well trained, well-supplied army and navy Weak and divided government Strong, central government

Trenton Washington crossing the Delaware River Washington made a surprise attack on the night before Christmas, He and his army marched 9 miles, and then they defeated hired soldiers (mercenaries) at the Battle of Trenton. The victories boosted the morale (spirits) of the Americans. A few days later Washington defeated the British at Princeton.

Saratoga British General Burgoyne took Fort Ticonderoga, but Americans blocked his path to meet General Howe At Saratoga, Burgoyne was surrounded by a large American army. Burgoyne and 5,000 troops surrendered to General Horatio Gates. Saratoga was a turning point because.... 1) It raised American morale AND 2) The French decided to give military aid and money to the Am. Cause.

Foreign Friends De Lafayette French nobleman who was one of Washington's top naval commanders and advisors

Foreign Friends De Rochambeau French commander who fought with Washington at Yorktown

Foreign Friends Admiral de Grasse He and the French navy kept Cornwallis from escaping at Yorktown.

Foreign Friends Von Steuben German drill sergeant who trained the Continental Army at Valley Forge

Valley Forge Lowest point of the war for America Brutal cold Near starving Not enough clothes or blankets

War in the South After Saratoga, the new British strategy was to fight in the South. The British hoped to get Loyalists to join them. British captured Charleston, S.C. Nathaniel Greene organized hit- and-run raids against the British. The guerilla tactics wore down the British in the South, and British General Cornwallis decided to invade Virginia.

Victory Washington and Rochambeau (French) marched south to Yorktown. Admiral De Grasse moved into Chesapeake Bay, preventing Cornwallis from escaping by sea. Surrounded by Americans and French, after 10 days of fighting, the British surrendered. The French attacked from the left, and the Americans from the right.

Yorktown General Cornwallis surrendered to Washington.* October 19, 1781 *Cornwallis didn’t surrender in person. He claimed to be sick that day.

1783 John Adams Ben Franklin The Treaty of Paris Ended the war Recognized American independence Added new land (west to the Mississippi; from the Great Lakes to Florida)

How America won! Geography: Americans knew the territory; British were 3,000 miles from home (communication/supplies) General Washington Aid from foreign countries: French soldiers and navy; Layfayette & von Stueben Support in Britain was small Patriotism: more colonists were for the Revolution