Chapter 6: The American Revolution Lesson 2: The War Continues

Gaining Allies

Spain United States France The United States is recognized after the victory at Saratoga (support at Saratoga).

Benjamin Franklin France After a year of work, France openly announced it’s alliance with the United States.

Bernardo de Galvez Spain’s Bernardo de Galvez moves to take Mobile and Pensacola in West Florida.

The Continental Army spent a miserable winter at Valley Forge The Continental Army spent a miserable winter at Valley Forge. Hundreds of soldiers deserted from the army during this time. Washington’s biggest challenge was keeping the army together. The troops held on with the support of Washington, his wife, and other volunteers. http://www.history.com/news/hungry-history/starving-soldiers-at-valley-forge

He became Washington’s right-hand man. With France’s new commitment, Marquis de Lafayette had rushed to join Washington to offer his support. Marquis de Lafayette He became Washington’s right-hand man. “The future of America is closely bound up with the future of all mankind.”

A Polish engineer who was sympathetic to the American cause A Polish engineer who was sympathetic to the American cause. He was an advocate for human rights. He sailed to America in the summer of 1776. In August 1776, he submitted an application to the Second Continental Congress. He was assigned to the Continental Army the next day. Thaddeus Kosciusko

A Polish military commander who came to America at the request of Benjamin Franklin. He is known as the father of the American cavalry after his work in training the Americans using cavalry tactics. He used his own money when money from Congress was scarce. While leading a daring charge against the British troops, he was gravely wounded and died at the age of 34. Casmir Pulaski

A former army officer in Germany A former army officer in Germany. He served as a major general of the Continental Army. He is credited with being one of the fathers of the Continental Army as he taught them essential military drills, tactics, and discipline which turned them into a real fighting force. He wrote a book that was used as the United States drill manual until the American Civil War. Friedrich von Steuben

Miralles was a Spanish arms dealer and Messenger for the Continental Army. As a representative from Spain, he became really good friends with George Washington. He helped the Americans get financial support from Spain, Cuba, and Mexico. He was so close with some Patriots that he even lent them his own money. Juan de Miralles

Money Problems! Congress had no power to raise money through taxes. But they needed money to pay for the war. Congress and the states printed a lot of money, which made the value shrink. It took more and more money to buy the same amount of goods. Congress stopped issuing the paper money because no one was using it.

Life on the Home Front

As the war continued, the women had to take over more responsibilities on the farms and in the homes.

Judith Sargeant Murray Judith argued that women’s minds were just as good as men’s and therefore, girls should get a good education like the boys. This was a radical idea at the time because most girls received little schooling during this time. Judith Sargeant Murray

“I cannot say that you are very generous to the ladies, for, whilst you are proclaiming peace and goodwill to men, emancipating all nations you will insist upon retaining absolute power over wives.” Abigail Adams

Many loyalists stayed and helped the British in the fight, but many also fled to England, East Florida, and Canada. Those who stayed behind were treated as traitors.

With African American help during the cause for independence, many felt they should be given their freedom. This would remain an issue for many years.