The American Revolution Chp. 7.1 “Phase One 1775-1776” Standard: 8.1

Advantages and Disadvantages British Advantages A. Highly trained, professional army, most powerful in the world B. Substantial financial resources C. Support of many Loyalists in America D. African-Americans joined the British as they were promised freedom E. Alliances with Native Americans by promising to return their lands British Disadvantages A. Fought far from home B. Difficult to maintain supply lines (logistics) C. British formal fighting style not suited for vast countryside and wilderness

Advantages and Disadvantages Patriot Advantages A. Excellent leadership in George Washington B. Financial support from France C. Help from European soldiers D. Knowledge of the land E. Motivated in fighting for their freedom; willingness to fight for a cause Patriot Disadvantages A. Soldiers lacked military experience and discipline B. Lack of overall support for independence (less than 50%) C. Lack of a true central government D. Lacked financial resources

Phase One: 1775-1776 The war for American Independence (American Revolution) fought in three phases First phase (1775-1776) of the war took place primarily in New England British underestimated and did not quite grasp the depth of patriot sentiment among many colonists British thought rebellion was essentially a few pockets in the region After the Battle of Bunker Hill and the siege of Boston, Britain withdraws to New York and reevaluated their war strategy

Phase two: 1776-1778 The Second phase (1776-1778) of the war occurred primarily in the Middle Colonies The British thought that if they could maintain control of New York, they could isolate rebellious New England from the rest of the colonies

Struggle for the Middle Colonies The Battle for New York Summer of 1776 British Victory British amassed a large force to maintain and control New York After months of warfare, Washington and the Continental Army forced to retreat Significance British occupied a major coastal city so that their navy could land troops and supplies Allowed them to launch their military campaigns

Struggle for the Middle Colonies The Battle at Trenton (New Jersey) December 25, 1776 American Victory Washington needed a victory to boost morale of the soldiers Many of the troops enlistment ended at the end of the year Washington crossed the icy Delaware River to New Jersey to launch an early morning surprise attack on the Hessians who celebrated Christmas eve the night before The victory allowed the Patriots to gain much needed supplies and resources they lacked Significance Washington’s victory at Trenton and 8 days later at Princeton proved that he was better than they thought The American army began attracting new troops

War in the Middle Colonies

Washington Crossing the Delaware

Battle of Saratoga New York, October 7, 1977 American Victory, turning point of the war British strategy to seize the Hudson River Valley and cut-off New England from the other colonies Three British armies were to rendezvous at Hudson River and surround the Continental Army However, only one British army arrives and is forced to surrender Significance Turning point of the American Revolution as European nations, especially France thought that the Americans might win the war France openly began to financially aid America

Battle of Saratoga