Revolutionary War: America’s Fight for Independence

The Domino Effect French and Indian War  England in debt  Stamp Act  “No taxation without representation!”  Taxation of common, necessary goods  Boston Massacre  Boston Tea Party  Intolerable Acts  Battle of Lexington  Battle of Bunker Hill  Signing of the Declaration of Independence…  …??

A Discouraging Start “Hanging separately” during the first part of the war seemed like a very real possibility for the colonists The 13 new states may have been united, but the people living in the states STILL were not! Some colonists were still loyal to the king; these people were called “Loyalists” Some Loyalists moved to Canada or back to Great Britain 50,000 Loyalists joined Great Britain to fight in the war against the colonists Great Britain had one of the largest armies in the world (5x bigger than the American army!) Then 50,000 Loyalists joined And then 30,000 mercenaries were added (soldiers hired from other countries) Also had Indian allies in the West British soldiers were well-trained and very committed to their country Willing to stay in the army for years

The Colonists’ Army General Washington would have loved to have the same arrangement as the British army! But he had to build his own army from scratch… Made up of farmers- these men were amateurs (not professional soldiers!) Soldiers’ time in the army was unpredictable Some joined for 3-year terms Most volunteered for less than a year Some only volunteered for 3-month long terms Some fought only when a battle was near their village, then went home after the British troops moved on Some left during planting and harvesting seasons to help at home Unpredictable soldiers made training very difficult!

Colonists vs. British Colonists British Advantages Fighting on home territory = fresh food and supplies Fighting for a good cause (freedom, families, homes) Under Washington’s leadership Experience of French and Indian War Disadvantages Unprofessional & poorly trained Army Lack of supplies (including uniforms) Small navy Advantages Best trained Army in the world Plenty of money = plenty of supplies Strongest navy in the world (100x more warships than America) Disadvantages Fighting far from home (had to ship troops and supplies from 3,000 miles) Soldiers were less committed to the cause they were fighting for (they fought to earn money)

The British Army

Support from Women Worked in army camps Washed; cooked; cared for the wounded; made gunpowder Fought on the battlefield! Even though they weren’t supposed to… Mary Ludwig Hays Brought pitchers of water to her husband’s cannon crew Nicknamed “Molly Pitcher” Husband became ill during battle and others were killed Loaded and fired cannon by herself until more soldiers arrived to help Deborah Sampson Dressed in men’s clothing and joined the army Was not discovered until she became ill and doctors found out she was a woman Many other women served as messengers and spies Also kept families, farms, and businesses going while their husbands served in the army

Black Americans About 5,000 fought on the American side Most were free men from the northern states Took part in every battle in the war, starting with Bunker Hill Black Americans were divided over the Revolution, just as white Americans were… Some southern states opposed the idea of black men joining the army Worried about slave uprisings Did not like black people having guns- even if they were fighting for independence! Black people knew that even if the U.S. won independence from Britain… slavery in the colonies would not end Why fight for a country that would keep you as a slave? Britain knew this too- Offered freedom to any slave who fought for the British Thousands risked their lives running away to accept that offer British Navy carried thousands of escaped slaves to Canada, where they started free settlements

America’s Army Winter time… Soldiers are cold No new, warm clothing or shoes Running low on food Government is running low on money (won’t be able to fund the war and provide supplies for much longer) Enlistments are up, and many soldiers are leaving the army and heading home What could Washington do to revive his troops?!

So… What did King George say when he read the Declaration of Independence?! What happened to the 56 men who signed it?!