America Secedes from Empire Chapter 8: 1775-1783

The northern campaigns of 1777

Burgoyne’s Blundering Invasion (Saratoga Campaign) 1777- British Goal is to capture Hudson River Valley & sever New England (MOST REBELLIOUS) from the rest of the colonies. British Gen. Burgoyne- would march from Lake Champlain (Canada) to Albany; delayed by Colonial leader Gen. Horatio Gates & Benedict Arnold on Lake Champlain- Burgoyne had to return to Canada & start later—ends up at Saratoga, NY British Gen. Howe- from NYC up the Hudson River (if needed) to meet Burgoyne in Albany British Col. St. Leger- would march from the west (by Lake Ontario) to Albany Results: Burgoyne was delayed…later fights at Saratoga, NY Howe goes the wrong way…to Philly rebel capital. St. Leger defeated at Orskany, NY & retreats.

The Planned Northern Campaign of 1777

The Continental Congress Flees Philadelphia Philadelphia- home to the Continental Congress (informal government of the American rebels) Gen. Washington- transferred his army to Philly—Continental Congress met there. September 1777 British Gen. Howe defeated Gen. G. Washington at Brandywine Creek (Sept. 11, 1777—35 miles from Philadelphia) & Battle of Germantown (Oct. 4, 1777) = the Continental Congress had to fled York, Penn.

Washington’s Army Survives The Winter of 1777-1778 Washington & Continental Army went to Valley Forge for the winter for rest & resupply— barely surviving (2,500 died from disease & cold). G. Washington’s Strategy Changes: Battles lost in NY & Penn. Taught Washington that a change in strategy was best: Smaller more frequent skirmishes with British. Avoid major battles that would endanger his whole army. As long as his army was intact, the war would continue no matter what cities the British captured. Baron Von Steuben- a European veteran (German) provided important training; trained Washington’s men to be a professional army.

BATTLE OF SARATOGA (Oct, 1777) Gen. Burgoyne- left alone at Saratoga Gen. Horatio Gates & Benedict Arnold (American Continentals) defeated Burgoyne & forced his surrender of 9,000 British troops. Britain offers colonials “home rule”- Americans refused it! Significance of the Victory at Saratoga **Led to a military alliance (1778-Franco-American Alliance) with France providing soldiers, naval fleet and $$$$$. America had to defend French territory France would fight until Britain was defeated, guarantee AMERICAN independence, negotiate a “common end” 1779- Spain- war with GB & New Orleans gave $$ to Am. Forts in the west (Sera prayed for American victory)– tried to retake Florida. 1780- Holland- war with GB & loans to America

SURRENDER AT SARATOGA Surrender/saratoga

Ben Franklin Secures the help of France Summer 1776- Continental Congress developed the Model Treaty. No political Connection with another country. No military connection with another country. Only commercial connection= trade, loans etc. December 1776, Ben Franklin became American diplomat to France to secure their help. France welcomed Franklin like a “star”- wore “homespun” and a fur frontiersman’s cap in France America received loans from France & Spain during the 1st 2 years of the War. Franklin worked to get agreement on the Franco-American Alliance of 1778.

“Armed Neutrality” The Northern Campaign Ends Catherine the Great led weak maritime (sea) European nations against Britain PASSIVELY (Armed Neutrality) All of Europe “passively against England” Really a WORLD WAR in some respects!! Spain & & Holland join war against Britain also--FOUGHT IN SOUTH AMERICA, CARRIBBEAN, ASIA too. ** GB had to deploy troops around the world—so they were handicapped in North America! The Northern Campaign Ends June 1774-Battle of Monmouth, NJ (last battle of war in the North) Gen. Henry Clinton replaced Howe as commander-in-chief of British army in the colonies. Fight was a draw- Clinton & troops retreat to NYC

Indians & the War in the North & South West of the Appalachian Mountains and along the border of Quebec, the war was an “Indian War”. 13,000 Indians fought on the British side. Both Americans & England attempted to get Indians to side with them. Indian fears of American expansion led them to oppose Patriot rhetoric of natural rights & equality of men. Joseph Brant- Chief of Mohawks got the (Seneca's, Onondaga’s, Cayuga’s) of the Six Nations (Iroquois Confederacy) to support England- attacked frontier settlers in Penn. & NY until 1779. 1777-1778- Iroquois & Loyalists raided the frontier of NY & Penn. & Kentucky Some Mohawk tribes sided with British---some with Americans. Many Tuscarora & Oneida sided with Americans Treaty of Fort Stanwix (1784) 1st treaty between United States & Indians Indians (Six Nations) ceded most of their land * Most Indians denied the right of “leaders” who signed it. In the South, Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek & Seminoles sided with British in Georgia & Carolina’s. British supplied Indian allies with guns Attacked American settlements along the frontier.

Indians & the War in the West War in The Ohio River Valley George Rogers Clark (Virginian) Tried to neutralize British influence in Ohio territory. Captured British cities Kaskaskia & Vincennes (captured British Col. Henry Hamilton “Scalp Buyer” The fighting continued in the West would not end with the end of the War---but, continue for 2 years after the end of hostilities.

The French ENTER the War Summer 1780- French send army of 6,000 regular troops commanded by Comte de Rochambeau– Newport, R.I. Americans at first suspicious 1780- Benedict Arnold turned traitor- plotted to sale West Point for 6,300 POUNDS & officer’s commission.

Britain’s “Southern Strategy" Phase 3 OF the War The most important fighting of the war was done in the SOUTH. Britain thought that there were more Loyalists in the South. Southern resources were more valuable/worth preserving for the British. The British win a number of small victories, but cannot pacify the countryside. Intense fighting between American Patriots & Loyalists! Campaigns from Virginia to SC to Georgia. Georgia (weakest colony) was Overrun by British Gen. Henry Clinton in 1778-1779- gathered a loyalist force to take the colony back for the British

Phase III: The Southern Strategy [1780-1781] Oct. 1789- 8,000 British troops from Rhode Island landed in Savanah, Ga. & marched to Charleston, SC Charleston captured In May of 1780 by British Gen. Cornwallis 1781- Battle of Camden– DEFEAT for Colonials Horatio Gates removed from command of US forces. Maryland, Virginia, & North Carolina recruit free people of color & slaves into armed forces. New England had already attempted to recruit African Americans. By wars end, 5,000 African-Americans served in Patriot/Continental Army= earned freedom if slaves.

The Southern Strategy: the Carolina’s Nathaniel Greene- takes command of colonial militia in the South & leads victory; uses “hit and run” fighting tactics. Francis Marion “Swamp Fox”- used similar tactics in SC In September of 1780, British Gen. Cornwallis invaded North Carolina. Faced more Patriot resistance in NC Patriots in NC stronger (than SC) & better organized. British troops who plundered NC towns & farms to feed their troops had the effect of producing angry support for the Patriots. The Battle of King’s Mountain (Oct. 1780) Fought in the backcountry near NC/SC border Patriot sharpshooters defeated a loyalist force The Battle of Cowpens (Jan. 1781) Loyalists defeated by Patriots not far from King’s Mountain. Battle of Guilford Courthouse (March 1781) Gen. Cornwallis won a battle against Patriots

Nathaniel Greene reestablished Patriot control of the Lower South. Map-yorktown *The Battle of Yorktown British General Charles Cornwallis wanted to winter his troops in the South believing the war would be won in the Spring….. Yorktown, Virginia was chosen because it provided easy access to be reinforced and re-supplied. Nathaniel Greene reestablished Patriot control of the Lower South. General Washington learned of the British decision to winter their main troops in Yorktown.

Battle of Yorktown American Strategy included the use of the French navy, French troops and American troops. French navy under the direction of Admiral de Grasse, placed a blockade around the Chesapeake Bay. 15,000 American and French troops surrounded 8,000 British troops at Yorktown, Virginia General Cornwallis is trapped and is forced to his surrender his troops to Washington The War Ends

The Battle of Yorktown (1781) Count de Rochambeau Admiral De Grasse

Cornwallis’ Surrender at Yorktown “The World Turned Upside Down!” “If buttercups buzzed after the bee, If boats were on land, churches at sea, If summer were spring and t’other way round, Then all the world would be upside down– British tune played at surrender Painted by John Trumbull, 1797

The Treaty of Paris, 1783 The Patriot victory at Yorktown, Virginia convinced the British that continuing to fight the war would be too costly. March 1782- the King appointed new minister (advisers) who were prepared to grant the Americans independence. April 1782- John Jay, John Adams, and Ben Franklin represented America at the Paris peace talks. After 6 months of negotiations, the British accepted a preliminary peace plan drawn up by the Americans. The Peace Agreement British merchants could collect debts owed by American colonists. Congress would “earnestly recommend” to the states that loyalist be compensated for confiscated property or property returned. America was free and independent nation Continental Congress approved the treaty April 1783

Treaty of Paris

Blacks in war

Blacks in war