Winding Up the War

War at Sea Although a navy was created back in 1775 America only had the ability to build a few warships Britain had a full fleet and tactics American ships made hit-and-run attacks Britain still dominated the seas-blockading the American ports

Bonhomme Richard Most famous naval battle of the war John Paul Jones was the captain of Bonhomme Richard This ship was going up against the large British warship Serapis The battle went quickly Cannons and muskets ripped the sails and blasted holes in the wooden sides War at Sea Continental Congress decided to make a navy back in 1775, but with limited ability to build only a few warships and a small navy going against the powerful British fleet they had to be tactful. Making hit-and-run attacks on British ships Britain still dominated the seas- blocking the American ports 1779 (most famous naval battle), the American ship Bonhomme Richard, under the command of John Paul Jones fought side by side with the large British warship Serapis (off the coast of England) Cannons and muskets ripped the sails on both ships and blasted holes in their wooden sides

Bonhomme Richard v. Serapis Jones refused to give up Finally with dozens of sailors dead on each side, the captain of the Serapis surrendered The Americans had help from 800 privateers (armed ships that had their government’s permission to attack enemy ships and keep their goods) Jones refused to give up and finally with dozens of sailors dead on each side, the captain of the Serapis surrendered Americans had help from 800 privateers: armed civilian ships that had their government’s permission to attack enemy ships and keep their goods Made Britain spend more time and money on protecting merchant ships so their goods were not stolen

Improvement for the Patriots October, 1780: 900 frontier fighters defended Kings Mountain in SC from British troops December, 1780: Nathanael Greene took over the Continental Army in the South 1,200 men moved into eastern SC with Green 800 men moved in from the west with General Daniel Morgan January, 1781: Battle of Cowpens was a clear victory from General Morgan http://mrnussbaum.com/amflash2/ Patriot fortunes began to improve October, 1780, 900 frontier fighters defended a larger force of British troops and Loyalists atop Kings Mountain in South Carolina December, 1780, Nathanael Greene took over the Continental army in the South Split his men in two; he led 1,200 men into eastern South Carolina and General Daniel Morgan had 800 men in the west January 1781, Morgan won a clear victory at the Battle of Cowpens Small militia in the front- telling them to fire three shots then retreat British rushed forward, only to be met by charging cavalry and a line of skilled riflemen http://mrnussbaum.com/amflash2/ will be used to look at the battle on Kings Mountain and the battle of Cowpens

American Traitor Traitor: a person who betrays his or her country or cause and helps the other side Britain still had the upper hand in the South Under the command of Benedict Arnold (American traitor) He felt Congress undervalued him Plotted to turn West Point (fort on the Hudson River) over to the British His plot was discovered in September 1780 but he escaped American Traitor Traitor: a person who betrays his or her country or cause and helps the other side The British still had the upper hand in the South and were under command of an American traitor, Benedict Arnold He felt Congress undervalued him; he plotted to turn West Point, a key fort on the Hudson River, over to the British His plot was discovered in September 1780, but he escaped He and his Loyalists soldiers then staged a series of destructive raids in Virginia

Final Battle, 1781 General Cornwallis had been weakened at the Battle of Cowpens Over a five-month period, Patriot forces swept through the Deep South By late summer, only Charles Town and Savannah remained in British hands Fatal mistake by Cornwallis Moved into the Yorktown peninsula, thinking a British fleet could reinforce his position By August, a French fleet chased off the British ships Final Battle 1781 Cornwallis had been weakened at the Battle of Cowpens, which gave Greene opportunity Over a five-month period, Patriot forces swept through the Deep South By late summer, only Charles Town and Savannah remained in British hands Cornwallis made a fateful mistake, he moved his main army to the Yorktown peninsula, (part of Virginia land that poked out into the Chesapeake Bay) He thought the British fleet could reinforce his position, but at the end of August, the French fleet arrived off Yorktown and chased off British ships

Final Battle Continued… Washington rushed towards Virginia with American and French troops Cornwallis was in a trap After 3 weeks: Cornwallis had no option but to surrender October 19, 1781: British troops marched glumly between American and French lines and tossed their weapons into a large pile on the ground The King of Britain wanted to keep fighting, but Parliament voted for peace http://mrnussbaum.com/amflash2/ Washington rushed towards Virginia with American and French troops; Cornwallis was in a trap After three weeks, Cornwallis had no option but to surrender October 19, 1781, the Americans and French lined up in two facing columns, the British marched glumly between the two and tossed their weapons into a large pile on the ground Victory at Yorktown was the last major battle of the war Shocked Britain, the King wanted to keep fighting, but Parliament voted for peace

Treaty of Paris American delegates included Benjamin Franklin and John Adams Britain was eager for peace so the Americans got most of what they wanted The United States got independence Boundaries of the new nation were Atlantic on the east Canada on the north Mississippi River on the west Florida on the south (went back to Spain) U.S. agreed to “earnestly recommend” that states restore rights and property to the Loyalists (most states ignored) April 15, 1783: Congress approved the treaty Treaty of Paris 1782-1783 American delegates included Benjamin Franklin and John Adams Britain was eager for peace so the Americans got most of what they wanted Britain recognized the independence of the United States Boundaries of the new nation were set at the Atlantic on the east, Canada on the north, the Mississippi River on the west, and Florida on the south (Florida was given back to Spain) The United States agreed to “earnestly recommend” that the states restore rights and property taken from Loyalists during the war, but most states ignored this April 15, 1783, Congress approved the treaty- war was officially over Almost exactly 8 years since the “shot heard round the world” was fired

Farewell and Impact Washington’s Farewell- December 4, 1783 Impact Immediate: U.S. had to create new nation of 13 independent states Long term: The Declaration of independence cemented ideas like equality and liberty in the American mind Inspired other countries to rebel and use the Declaration of Independence as a reference point Washington’s Farewell December 4, 1783, Washington and his ranking officers were reunited for one last meal together at Fraunces Tavern in New York City Washington retired to his plantation, but soon he would be called to aid the nation at which he helped create Impact of the Revolution Immediate effects, the United States had to create a new nation of 13 independent states, linked by ties of custom and history Long-term effects are still being felt today The Declaration of independence cemented ideas like equality and liberty in the American mind The American Revolution inspired other countries to rebel and to use the Declaration of Independence as a reference point French Revolution Independence movements in Latin America