The American Revolution 1775 - 1783

Historians estimate that at the start of the American Revolution only about 40% of the colonists would have been considered patriots in favor of war.

Another 35-40% were Loyalists Another 35-40% were Loyalists. The remaining 20% were undecided or neutral.

Despite this fact, after the first shots of the war were fired at Lexington & Concord, tensions between the colonists and the British continued to escalate.

The 2nd Continental Congress voted George Washington leader of the Continental Army. Washington inherited an army that lacked supplies, experience & training. He was distraught.

“Could I have foreseen what I have, and am likely to experience, no consideration upon earth should have induced me to accept this command.” GEORGE WASHINGTON 1777

What were the strengths and weaknesses of the British and Americans going into the war???

Continental Disadvantages No Navy Untrained Soldiers Few cannons and little gunpowder

The rifle took a long time to load, compared to the musket The rifle took a long time to load, compared to the musket. By the time a soldier forced his rifle ball down the barrel, the enemy could get him with a bayonet. Their rifles had no bayonet, a necessity for fighting at close range, or in damp weather when wet flints and gunpowder made firearms useless. Because of these disadvantages, the musket remained the primary weapon used during the Revolutionary War.

- leadership of George Washington Continental Army Advantages - fighting for their homes and freedom - leadership of George Washington

- most powerful navy in the world British Army Advantages - highly trained, experienced soldiers - plentiful weapons and supplies - most powerful navy in the world Burgoyne Cornwallis Clinton Gage Howe

The Patriot – Battle Scene British Army Disadvantages - the war was fought far from home - less reasons to fight hard - risked constant attack The Patriot – Battle Scene

Battle of Bunker Hill – video 3:53 • Occurred on Breeds Hill on June 17, 1775.

• The Patriots were short on gunpowder and were warned by Colonel William Prescott, “Don’t fire till you see the whites of their eyes!”

• The British won the battle, but lost over 1,000 troops.

• This battle showed Britain that the Patriots would not be an easy enemy.

It was at the Battle of Saratoga What was the turning point of the Revolution??? It was at the Battle of Saratoga British Gen. John Burgoyne

Battle of Saratoga

The Battle of Saratoga October 1777 • British General John Burgoyne sent 700 Hessians to look for supplies. • The Americans then launched a surprise attack, defeating Gen. Burgoyne’s force. • Turning Point – This battle convinced France to join the war on the side of the U.S.

How did Ben Franklin help the colonies during the American revolution?? In the fall of 1776, Congress sent him to French capital Paris. His job was to persuade France to become an ALLY of the United States.

Benjamin Franklin at the Court of France. I LOVE Paris, France!!!!! Benjamin Franklin at the Court of France.

European help would be crucial to the success of the Americans. Several military officers came to Washington’s aid, including the French nobleman Marquis de Lafayette. Lafayette became on one Washington’s most trusted commanders. He helped win many battles and convinced the French to send 6,000 troops to America.

Valley Forge Beginning in the winter of 1777-1778, Washington and his army camped at Valley Forge in Southeast Pennsylvania. They had been forced out of Philadelphia by General Howe.

At Valley Forge, Washington’s army was short on supplies. They lacked: Coats Shoes Hats Shirts Adequate blankets

Valley Forge--Washington & Lafayette. Winter 1777-78.

Here’s how Lafayette described the conditions at Valley Forge. “The unfortunate soldiers were in want of everything; they had neither coats, nor hats, nor shirts, nor shoes; their feet and legs froze till they grew black and it was often necessary to amputate them……. The Army frequently passed whole days without food”.

• With the help of Friedrich von Steuben, the army survived and became well trained.

I have not yet begun to fight!!!! Though outnumbered, the newly formed Continental navy scored several victories against the British under the leadership of John Paul Jones. Jones is considered the father of the American navy and is known for his famous quote:

War in the South - The British moved the fighting to the South after France entered the war in an attempt to gain Loyalist support. Benedict Arnold - Arnold was an American general who secretly offered to turn over the fort at West Point to the British in exchange for money.

- Before he could be convicted as a spy, Arnold escaped and fought for the British.

Battle of Yorktown (1781) • General Cornwallis set up camp in Yorktown, Virginia.

Battle of Yorktown (1781) • A French fleet, under the leadership of Admiral de Grasse, blocked the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, preventing Cornwallis from receiving supplies from the British navy. Help!!

Battle of Yorktown (1781) • George Washington, along with 6,000 French troops led by Gen. Rochambeau, marched to Yorktown from New York. • Cornwallis surrendered on October 17, 1781, ending the Revolutionary War! • The U.S. and French troops cornered Cornwallis in Yorktown. Help!! I surrender!

Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia, October 19, 1781, by which over 7,000 British and Hessians became prisoners.

The Treaty of Paris April 1783 - The British recognized the U.S. as an independent nation. - U.S. territory stretched from Canada to Florida and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River. - Britain returned Florida to Spain. - The U.S. promised to ask state legislatures to pay Loyalists for the property they lost in the war. (However, most states paid the Loyalists nothing.)

Washington's Farewell - In December of 1783, Gen. Washington bid farewell to his officers at Fraunces' Tavern in New York City. “Such a scene of sorrow and weeping I had never before witnessed. ..The simple thought that we were then about to part from the man who had conducted us through a long and bloody war, and under whose conduct the glory and independence of our country had been achieved, and that we should see his face no more in this world, seemed to me utterly unbearable.” - Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge