WARM UP: What did Thomas Paine argue in Common Sense? What were the achievements of the first two continental congresses?

The American Revolution: 1775-1783

On the Eve of the Revolution ? Britain Americans Advantages -More population -Highly developed -Richest country in world -Large, well trained army -Many dedicated military officers -Familiar with the environment and geography -Became allies with France Disadvantages -strange land -Long distance from Colonies -unfamiliar with environment and geography -Less population -No manufacturing -No money to support war effort -soldiers were not well trained -few capable leading officers

Washington’s Headaches Only 1/3 of the colonists were in favor of a war for independence [the other third were Loyalists, and the final third were neutral]. State/colony loyalties. Congress couldn’t tax to raise money for the Continental Army. Poor training [until the arrival of Baron von Steuben.

For the Remainder: Complete the Revolutionary War map activity Instructions are up on my website Complete on map from stuff stool

Loyalist Strongholds

Military Strategies The Americans The British Attrition [the Brits had a long supply line]. Guerilla tactics [fight an insurgent war → you don’t have to win a battle, just wear the British down] Make an alliance with one of Britain’s enemies. Break the colonies in half by getting between the No. & the So. Blockade the ports to prevent the flow of goods and supplies from an ally. “Divide and Conquer” → use the Loyalists.

Phase I: The Northern Campaign [1775-1776]

The British suffered over 40% casualties. Bunker Hill (June, 1775) The British suffered over 40% casualties.

Phase II: NY & PA [1777-1778]

New York City in Flames (1776)

Washington Crossing the Delaware Painted by Emanuel Leutze, 1851

Battle of Saratoga 1777 Seen as the turning point of the war France decides to enter the war against Britain Boosted Morale in Washington’s Continental Army

Phase III: The Southern Strategy [1780-1781]

Britain’s “Southern Strategy” Britain thought that there were more Loyalists in the South. Southern resources were more valuable/worth preserving. The British win a number of small victories, but cannot pacify the countryside [similar to U. S. failures in Vietnam!] Good US General: Nathanial Greene

The Battle of Yorktown (1781) Decisive victory by combined assault of American forces led by General George Washington and French forces led by General Comte de Rochambeau Last major battle of Revolutionary war Lord Cornwallis will surrender

Cornwallis’ Surrender at Yorktown: Painted by John Trumbull, 1797

North America After the Treaty of Paris, 1783 September 3, 1783, Ended the Revolutionary War between Great Britain and the United States Enlarged the boundaries of the US