Chapter 8: Section 2 The Colonies at War

The War in the North 1775 – Continental Army wants support from French Canadians Richard Montgomery captures Montreal Benedict Arnold goes to Quebec through blizzards Men eat bark, candles, shoe leather Attack unsuccessful Leaders killed or wounded Men too tired/ hungry to fight British reinforcements arrive Canada remains British

Dorchester Heights British supplies low after Bunker Hill Stay in Boston to wait for goods Washington moves cannons to Dorchester Heights pointing them at Boston General William Howe evacuates Boston King George blockades Boston and ports No goods can come in or leave the colonies

The New York Campaign 1776 – General Howe returns from Canada Wants to take New York City Why? Can easily march troops north or south Splits the northern and southern colonies

The Battle of Long Island Washington moves 19,000 untrained troops to defend the island No navy to challenge the British No match for Howe’s professional troops Washington leads a retreat into New Jersey, then crosses the Delaware river into Pennsylvania Washington lost New York until the end of the war

Spying on the Enemy Spying was a common practice If caught, spies were labeled traitors and hanged Nathan Hale Spied for George Washington in New York Caught and put to death “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

Victories at Trenton and Princeton Washington's army in bad shape Little or no food Rotten meat seasoned with salt to cover the taste Hard peas, moldy bread Washington plans a surprise attack on a British camp in Trenton, New Jersey

Surprise Attack Washington’s army crosses the Delaware River unseen to attack Hessians at Trenton December 25, 1776 Christmas Day Hessians surrender Howe sends General Charles Cornwallis to pursue Washington’s army Americans defeat the British at Princeton January 3, 1777 Continental Army now has confidence

Turning the Tide British are embarrassed by their losses General John Burgoyne plans to control the Hudson River Cut off New England from the rest of the colonies

The Battle of Saratoga Burgoyne’s Plan Three armies would attack Albany, NY at the same time from different directions Burgoyne – north Howe – south Colonel Barry St. Leger – west Plan failed because of no communication Change of plans

Battle of Saratoga Continued Americans attack Burgoyne in Saratoga British try to retreat but Americans surround them October 17, 1777 Burgoyne surrenders Americans take 6000 British soldiers prisoner

War in the North

The Treaty of Alliance King Louis XVI signs Treaty of Alliance February 1778 France now supports Americans in the war

Brutal Winter at Valley Forge Soldiers stayed the winter here waiting for French aid to arrive Living Conditions 14 x 16 ft huts with dirt floors crawling with lice 12 soldiers per hut Ate firecakes Thin dough strips Barefoot/ Shoeless 2,500 American soldiers died Spring/ French aid arrives Washington makes new battle plans

Winter at Valley Forge

Help From Europe Baron Friedrich von Steuben Marquis de Lafayette Prussian soldier trained Washington’s troops How to work together, advance, retreat, carry weapons, use bayonets Marquis de Lafayette French soldier turned American general at 19 Thaddeus Kosciuszko Polish engineer built trenches and forts for Americans Casimir Pulaski Poland, trained 1st cavalry unit Soldiers on horseback Bernardo de Galvez Spanish Governor secretly sent supplies and troops to help Americans fight

The War in the West Native Americans join British forces Hoping it would drive white settlers from their land George Rogers Clark Leads Virginia volunteers to raid British in Ohio Valley Captures forts at Kaskaskia and Cahokia With help from Miami NA Captures Fort Vincennes Weakens British in Ohio Valley

The War at Sea Continental Navy established in 1775 Privateers – armed private ships used to protect ports John Paul Jones Captain of the Bonhomme Richard Sailed to British coast to attack Serapis, British warship “I have not yet begun to fight!” Heavily damaged, Jones defeat the British “Father of the American Navy”