THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION American History I - Unit 2

Review Why is the Battle of Saratoga considered a “turning point” in the war in favor of the colonists? How did the winter at Valley Forge affect the morale of the Continental Army? By the summer of 1778, why is morale high in the Continental Army? What is inflation?

Review Why is the Battle of Saratoga considered a “turning point” in the war in favor of the colonists? Continental Army started to win more victories British started to doubt their strength ***France decided to help Americans*** How did the winter at Valley Forge affect the morale of the Continental Army? Lowered morale due to cold winter and many deaths (cold, lack of food, spreading of diseases) By the summer of 1778, why is morale high in the Continental Army? Higher moral thanks to foreign aid: Von Steuben’s training, Lafayette’s help, and $/supplies from France What is inflation? A decline in the value of money causing rising prices Can happen when there is too much money is in circulation

2.4 – WINNING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AH1.H.1.1 Chronological thinking – structure of a historical narrative, interpreting the data in time lines. AH1.H.2.1 Analyze key political, economic, and social turning points in American History using historical thinking, focusing on causes and effects. AH1.H.4.2 Analyze the economic issues and conflicts that impacted the US through Reconstruction and the compromises that resulted. AH1.H.6.1 Explain how national economic and political interests helped set the direction of US foreign policy. AH1.H.7.1 Understand the impact of war, focusing on political implications.

Battles Move South Oct. 1777 – Battle of Saratoga American VICTORY! (turning point of war) British humiliated Summer 1778 – British move south Rally Loyalist support Reclaim former colonies in the southern region Regroup and fight their way back to the north

Early British Success in the South Late 1778 – British captured Savannah, GA May 1780 – British Generals Clinton and Cornwallis sailed from NY to Charles Town → British captured Charles Town, SC. Clinton returned to NY Cornwallis stayed in the south to conquer SC and NC 1780 – Redcoats advanced, with help from African American slaves → Set up forts all over SC Forced to retreat at the NC border, Patriots attacked constantly

Nathaniel Greene and Cowpens Washington sent General Nathaniel Greene to drive Cornwallis back into SC. Jan. 1781 - Battle of Cowpens American victory under Greene! British expected fewer Continental troops and were forced to surrender

Battle of Guilford Court House March 1781 – Battle of Guilford Court House Cornwallis angered over loss at Cowpens British victory (technically)… 93 killed, 400 wounded, 26 missing Greene had weakened the British and slowed their southern advances but needed back-up Wrote a letter to Marquis de Lafayette asking for help “I wish you to march your force southward by Alexandria and Fredericksburg to Richmond [Virginia]… It is impossible for the Southern States with all the exertions they can make under the many disadvantages they labour to save themselves. Subsistence is very difficult to be got and therefore it is necessary that the best of troops should be employed… Every exertion should be made for the salvation of the Southern States for on them depend the liberty of the Northern.” - Nathaniel Greene in a letter to Lafayette

Cornwallis Moves into Virginia Cornwallis and troops got rest and gathered reinforcements in Wilmington and then continued to Virginia Failed to defeat Lafayette and von Steuben’s troops in VA Settled with 7,500 men at Yorktown Peninsula between the James and York rivers Near Jamestown Planned to capture Virginia and move north

British Surrender at Yorktown 1780 – French troops arrived in… New England (NY, MA) the West Indies (Caribbean) Lafayette suggests that the French fleets meet up with the American troops to surround Yorktown and Cornwallis

Guns and Ships At this point in the war, Hamilton has left Washington’s side - frustrated he won’t give him command of his own troops. Lafayette suggests surrounding the British troops at Yorktown using Washington’s Continental Army that is with some French troops under the command of General Rochambeau. Lafayette also urges Washington to ask Hamilton to return to his side.

British Surrender at Yorktown Following Lafayette’s plan, American and French troops surrounded Cornwallis Troops on land around town Ships in James River to block a water-escape American/French troops bombarded and shelled Yorktown for 3 weeks → SIEGE!

British Surrender at Yorktown October 19, 1781 – British OFFICIALLY SURRENDER! Continental Army - Washington, French General Rochambeau, and troops British Army – General O’Hara (representing Cornwallis) and Redcoats O’Hara tried to hand his sword to Rochambeau, who directed him to Washington Washington, insulted by Cornwallis’ absence, directed O’Hara to his 2nd in command

Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down) This song details the plan leading up to the Battle of Yorktown, the battle itself, and the subsequent British surrender. American legend has it that the British troops marched out of Yorktown to the British ballad “The World Turned Upside Down” - a song traditionally played at solemn occasions.

Peace Talks in Paris 1782 –Meeting of representatives from America, England, France, and Spain America – wants full independence and all former British land in the former colonies England – didn’t want to give full American independence France – supported American independence, but feared the US becoming more powerful Spain – wants land between Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi (formerly British land reserved for Natives)

Peace Talks in Paris European nations thought the American representatives would be easily manipulated → WRONG! American representatives Benjamin Franklin John Adams John Jay Demanded the England recognize American independence before any talks went further.

Treaty of Paris (1783) Officially ended the Revolutionary War and signaled American independence Confirmed American independence American boundaries Atlantic Ocean – Mississippi River Canada border – Florida border Future problems…DIDN’T specify when British troops would leave forts in America

Impact on American Society During the war, class lines were blurred as EVERYONE joined the war effort Rise of egalitarianism – a belief in the equality of all people 1780s – only applied to white males No new rights to women Blacks still enslaved, free blacks faced discrimination, poverty, and violence Native American communities destroyed since English colonization began, increased concern as western lands now belonged to Americans

Final Thoughts… American independence – The United States of America!! Uh… what next? What type of government will America have? What laws will be made? Who should participate in the government? Americans now face the difficult task of starting a new nation… What Comes Next? - King George’s response to America’s freedom