Chapter 4: Independence Section 4: An American Victory Pages: 124-129

An American Victory: The Battle of Trenton: The British felt the war was almost won so General Howe prepared to celebrate Christmas in New York; Washington ignored the customary holiday halt in fighting on Christmas and attacked the British crossing the ice-choked Delaware River

An American Victory: The Battle of Trenton: Was not a clear-cut victory for the Patriots but their fighting greatly raised the MORALE of the Patriots

An American Victory: British disaster at Saratoga: British General “Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne devised a plan: three separate British forces would converge at Albany, New York. The British did not realize – or ignored – that their lines of attack crossed many lakes, swamps, hills, and forests in areas filled with Patriots. Burgoyne and the British clash with the Patriots and General Horatio Gates in the Battle of Saratoga and the British surrendered

An American Victory: European Powers Provide Aid: Encourage by Patriot victories the French – who had been secretly aiding the Patriots – agreed to sign a formal alliance with the United States French aid provided Americans with gold, naval support, supplies, and troops France also declared war on Great Britain Spain and the Netherlands also joined the Patriots in their cause

An American Victory: Patriots used guerrilla warfare – wearing down the enemy in hit-and-run battles

General Cornwallis (English General) surrendered. THE PATRIOTS EMERGE VICTORIOUS The British surrendered their weapons at the Battle of Yorktown – October 19, 1781 General Cornwallis (English General) surrendered.

TREATY OF PARIS The Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783. It granted the United States Independence and the land from the Atlantic coast westward to the Mississippi River and from the Great Lakes to Florida The Treaty declared that Americans should pay any debts owed to the British