The American Revolution Section 3 Chapter 4 U.S. History Mr. Kissam

The Struggle for Liberty The Big Idea Patriot forces faced many obstacles in the war against Britain. Main Ideas Many Americans supported the war effort. The Patriots both won and lost battles during the years 1775-1777. France and Spain helped the Patriots fight the British. The winter at Valley Forge tested the strength of Patriot troops. The war continued at sea and in the West.

Declaring Independence (VC)

British Advantages Most powerful army in the world Most powerful navy in the world Much larger population “Loyalist” support in the American colonies (mainly in the South)

British Disadvantages Fighting in enemy territory Fighting 3,000 miles from home (supplies, etc) Fighting in unfamiliar land Fighting a determined enemy

American Advantages Fighting for their homes (life or death) Knew the land & terrain (could use guerrilla warfare) Determination of the “Founding Fathers” to succeed. Leadership of George Washington

American Disadvantages Fighting a powerful, organized enemy Lack of money to fund the war “Loyalists” support for Britain Lack of a navy of any kind

Supporting the War Effort Many Americans supported the war effort. Soldiers made the greatest contribution to the war effort More than 230,000 soldiers served in the Continental Army. 145,000 enlisted in local militias.

Supporting the War Effort The typical soldier was young, often younger then 16. The army offered low pay, harsh conditions, and death The Continental Army had a hard time keeping soldiers. Yet men enlisted to fight for independence and their homes.

Supporting the War Effort African Americans First banned from serving The British promised freedom to any slave who fought on their side In response, the Continental Army began to allow free African Americans to serve.

Supporting the War Effort Women Ran farms and businesses Helped by raising money for supplies or by making clothing Served as messengers, nurses, and spies Some dressed as men and fought such as Molly Pitcher and Deborah Sampson.

Defeats and Victories As the Revolution gathered steam it became more deadly. Many Patriot leaders favor a defensive war because their supplies would last longer. At first the Patriots suffered a number of defeats, but overtime they began to win impressive victories.

Canada Some patriots thought British-controlled Canada should be the “14th colony.” Captured Montreal November 1775. American forces attacked Quebec under Benedict Arnold. Attack failed, and hopes of taking Canada faded.

New York British fleet arrives June 1776 Washington’s 23,000 militiamen opposed by 32,000 better-equipped British soldiers under General Howe.

New York In the Battle of Long Island, General Howe defeats Washington and pushes him out of New York. Washington’s forces is pushed into New Jersey.

“Battle of Long Island”

Nathan Hale: A Spy A young officer named Nathan Hale, went behind British lines to gather information. He was captured by the British, with documents found in the sole of his shoe. Before he was hanged, he declared, “I regret that I have but one life to give for my country.”

New Jersey In November 1776, Washington had only 6,000 soldiers. Soldiers were threatening to leave once their contract expired at the end of the year. Howe left German mercenaries, foreign soldiers who fought for pay, called Hessians in New Jersey.

New Jersey On December 7th, Washington retreated pass the Delaware River. He now only had 2,000 troops. Washington took a gamble to save his army, he would launch a surprise attack on the Hessians at Trenton.

New Jersey Washington crossed the Delaware on Christmas night. Patriots attacked the mercenaries as they slept. Battle of Trenton won by Americans on December 26, 1776.

New Jersey General Cornwallis tried to attack Washington on January 2, 1777. Washington and his army attacked the British from behind and defeated the British at the Battle of Princeton January 2, 1777. Soldiers were encouraged to reenlist with these victories and the Revolution was saved.

Battle of Saratoga British upset by two quick defeats in New Jersey. British General John Burgoyne planned to seize Hudson River Valley to cut off New England from the other colonies.

Gen. John Burgoyne

Battle of Saratoga British army is crushed by Patriot forces under General Horatio Gates on October 17, 1777.

Battle of Saratoga Battle of Saratoga in New York was the turning point of the Revolutionary War because the Patriots gained the support of France and Spain.

Help from Europe French and Spanish had lost large expanses of land in North America to the British. Both countries happy to see trouble for Britain in the American colonies. After the Battle of Saratoga, France, Spain, and Holland joined the fight on the side of the Patriots.

Help from Europe Independent Soldiers Marquis de Lafayette a French nobleman believed in the ideas of the American Revolution supplied money and military skills. Baron Freidrich von Steuben came from Prussia to help train the Continental Army.

Help from Europe France Officially joined Patriot forces in May 1778 Signed treaty of support

Help from Europe France France agreed to provide monetary aid once they believed the Patriots could win. Increased level of supplies and agreed to provide soldiers and ships

Help from Europe Spain Joined war in 1779 Spain wished to regain Florida from the British

Help from Europe Spain Bernardo de Gálvez, governor of Spanish Louisiana, was a patriot ally who seized British posts in the Southeast.

Congress & “Inflation”

Valley Forge Washington and 12,000 men settled for the winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, during 1777–78. The winter at Valley Forge tested the strength of Patriot troops.

Valley Forge The Continental Army at Valley Forge lacked protection and was low on supplies.

Valley Forge Troops suffered through the brutal winter and shortages of food, clothing, and shelter. Continental Army survived, but 2,000 died of disease and malnutrition.

The War Continues At Sea The Continental Navy could not fight large battles because it was to small. Sunk hundreds of individual British ships John Paul Jones was commander of victorious Bonhomme Richard. This former British outlaw became an American naval hero.

“Bonhomme Richard”

The War Continues In the West George Rogers Clark captured British trading village of Kaskaskia, Illinois, in 1778. Clark’s forces won Battle of Vincennes in 1779.

Patriot Recruitment Posters Create a recruitment poster to encourage me to enlist in the Continental Army. Posters should explain The benefits of enlisting The advantages the Patriots have (page 127) Why we are fighting in this war

Questions pages 126-134 Why did the Continental Army begin allowing free African Americans to serve? In what ways did women help the Patriot cause? What two early battles did the Patriots lose? Who were the Hessians? Why was the Battle of Saratoga the turning point in the war? Why did the Marquis de Lafayette join the Patriots What was Valley Forge? Who was the American Commander at the Battle of Vincennes