The Revolutionary War

The Struggle for Liberty Supporting the War Effort A. The typical soldier was young, under 16, and had little money or property. B. They fought because they were fighting for their homes and their freedom.

C. African Americans fought with whatever side they thought would give them their freedom. D. Women ran farms and Businesses, raised money, made clothes, served as messengers, nurses, and spies and sometimes fought like Molly Pitcher and Deborah Sampson.

Defeats and Victories Canada- Richard Montgomery captured Montreal. Benedict Arnold led troops to Quebec. Montgomery joined Arnold and attacked during a blizzard on New Year’ Eve and were defeated.

New York Washington had moved troops to NY. Gen. Howe forced Washington off of LI. 32,000 British soldiers were better equipped than 23,000 Patriots. Eventually the British pushed Washington across the Hudson to NJ. Nathan Hale was caught as a spy, but before he died he said, “I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

New Jersey Howe left NJ in the hands of the Hessians, German mercenaries. Washington’s army looked so bad that Thomas Paine wrote, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” Washington decided to go on the offensive and attack the Hessians In Trenton. On Christmas night, Washington crossed the Delaware.

The Hessians were asleep from celebrating Christmas The Hessians were asleep from celebrating Christmas. American soldiers were victorious and took 900 prisoners. A week later Washington beat the Redcoats at Princeton.

These victories saved the Revolution as men enlisted or re-enlisted in the army.

Burgoyne’s Plan: Burgoyne would cut off New England from the other colonies. His army would invade from Canada, General Howe would invade from NYC, and St. Leger would invade from Lake Ontario. All armies would meet in Albany.

What happened? Burgoyne took Ft. Ticonderoga. Howe left NYC and decided to take over Philadelphia. St. Leger was scared back to Canada by Benedict Arnold. Militia swarmed from all directions and attacked Burgoyne as he moved south. Patriots surrounded Burgoyne and forced him to surrender near Saratoga.

Why was Saratoga a turning point? It was the greatest victory for Americans up to that point. Morale soared. France and Spain decided to help the Americans.

Marquis de Lafayette: He sailed to America on his own ship and volunteered to serve in the Continental Army without pay. He gave money to support the war and asked wealthy friends to aid the Patriots. Toward the end of the war he persuaded the King of France to send the French navy.

Baron von Steuben: He was an experienced military officer from Prussia. He started training small groups of men at Valley Forge and then increased the amount of men with each drill session. He also taught the army how to use bayonets.

Benjamin Franklin: After Saratoga, Franklin convinced the King of France to help colonists win the war. Although France had been supplying the Patriots since 1776, she increased the amount of troops and sent the navy.

Bernardo de Galvez: He was governor of Spanish Louisiana. He made his way east and seized British posts all the way to Pensacola, Florida.

Why was Valley Forge so bad? There was a brutal winter and men lacked the clothes, blankets, shoes, and even the most basic protection from the weather. 2,000 soldiers died from disease and malnutrition.

War at Sea and in the West

How did the Patriots use their navy? They launched offensives to damage the British fleet located off the Carolinas Focused on capturing British supply ships. Needed to open the blockade so we could trade.

Bonhomme Richards vs. Serapis John Paul Jones was the captain of the Bonhomme Richards. When cannons on the BR had been knocked out, Jones was asked to surrender. He said, “I have not yet begun to fight.”

After two hours, the Americans won!

How was the war in West won? George Rogers Clark traveled 120 miles down the Ohio River and captured Ft. Kaskaskia and then Ft. Sackville. This won the Great Lakes region.

1. Why did British move the war to the South? Hoped to find support from Southern loyalists. They thought Southern slaves would help them because they promised slaves freedom. Southern ports were near the West Indies where British troops were stationed so it would be easy to move troops back and forth.

Brutal Fighting

How did Horatio Gates fail? (Camden) He had only ½ as many soldiers They were tired and hungry Many ran away Out of 4,000 troops only 700 were left.

Describe Francis Marion’s fighting tactics? His nickname was Swamp Fox Guerilla Warfare- hit and run attacks Disrupted British communication and supply lines

Marion’s Partisans burned communications stations, blew up ship depots, looted supply convoys and ambushed troop convoys.  Brutal in their methods, they would take no prisoners, looted the homes of loyalists with impunity, and on more than one occasion Marion himself hung or executed his own men for desertion or cowardice. 

Battle of Yorktown

Why did Cornwallis move to Yorktown? He was hoping to keep in touch with the British fleet. He also wanted reinforcements from NY.

How did the Patriots win? Lafayette was sent to stop Cornwallis from escaping. Rochambeau and Washington surround Cornwallis A French fleet controlled the Chesapeake After weeks of fighting, Cornwallis surrendered. Patriots captured 8,000 British.

Treaty of Paris The Treaty of Paris Period began with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in France on September 3, 1783 by Americans Benjamin Franklin, John Jay and John Adams, which formally ended the Revolutionary War.

What were the terms of the Treaty? US was Independent Fishing rights off the coast of Newfoundland Loyalist property would be returned Each country would pay their debts England would return captured slaves

The US’s borders North- Canada South- Spanish Florida West- Mississippi River East- Atlantic Ocean