The War Expands Chapter 7: Section 2

Essential Question How was it possible that American patriots gained their independence from the powerful British Empire?

Help from Abroad France was still bitter over the French and Indian War France lost their northern colonies France hoped to weaken Britain by siding with the colonists France became an official ally of the colonists after the Battles of Saratoga They promised to send badly needed supplies such as funds and troops They convinced their ally, Spain, to also help the colonists By entering the war, they forced Britain to fight a number of enemies on land and sea. The British now had to spread their military resources over many fronts

Help from abroad Marquis De Lafayette was a 19 year old French aristocrat who came to aid Washington’s army Believed in the American cause, came to help. He would use his own money to buy warm clothes and food for his men Nicknamed the “soldier’s friend” Convinced the French king to send a 6,000-man army to America Baron de Kalb was a German officer who had served in the French army Became one of Washington’s generals with a reputation for bravery

Winter at Valley Forge Washington’s army lacked supplies such as blanket, shoes, and food Over the hard winter, the soldiers grew weak from lack of food and warm clothing About ¼ died from malnutrition, exposure, or diseases such as smallpox and typhoid fever Washington appealed to Congress for more supplies but they were slow to respond

Winter at Valley Forge Some soldiers deserted due to the harsh conditions Washington’s determination and patriotism inspired the rest to keep fighting During the winter, German officer the Baron von Steuben helped transform the inexperienced soldiers into a skilled fighting force He taught them how to handle weapons and how to fight the formal battle of the British The American army emerged from Valley Forge a more efficient and stronger fighting machine