Goals 1. What were Washington’s strategies at Trenton and Princeton? 2. Why was the Battle of Saratoga a turning point in the war? 3. How did foreign nations and individuals aid the Patriots? 4. How did the Patriots carry out the naval war?

 British General William Howe sent troops to take New Jersey in Nov – he thought the war would be over soon.  NJ was left in the hands of Hessians, German mercenaries hired to fight for the British.  Washington decided to attack the Hessians at Trenton, New Jersey.  He believed he could take them by surprise while they celebrated the holiday.

 On Christmas Night, Washington and 2,400 soldiers crossed the Delaware to attack.

 The Battle of Trenton – Dec. 26 th, 1776 lasted less than 1 hour.  Patriots captured more than 900 Hessians with just 5 American casualties.  Victory boosted Patriots’ spirits!  Washington marched his troops to Princeton, New Jersey for another surprise attack.  The Battle of Princeton – Jan. 1777, another victory for Patriots!!

 British planned to cut New England off from the rest of the colonies.  Called for British troops under General John Burgoyne in Canada to march South to take back Fort Ticonderoga.  A second force would march east from Lake Ontario.  General Howe’s troops would march north from NYC.  All 3 groups would meet in Albany, NY.

 General Howe decided to attack Philadelphia before going to Albany.  Battle of Brandywine Creek – Sept. 11, 1777, Howe crushed Patriots’ forces.  General Burgoyne didn’t know both Howe and British forces from the east were late!  Burgoyne and the British were badly outnumbered.  Battle of Saratoga – Sept.-Oct. 1777, Burgoyne suffered a major defeat.  Victory at Saratoga was the greatest win yet for the American Forces.  It greatly boosted morale and led to increased foreign support.

 France and Spain had been secretly aiding the Patriots.  The victory at Saratoga convinced France that America could win.  May Continental Congress approved an alliance with France.  Spain joined in 1779 and provided support to the Patriots on the western front.

 Key allies:  Bernardo de Galvez- governor of Spanish Louisiana.  Marquis de Lafayette- young Frenchman who contributed $200,000 of his own money to the Revolution!  Tadeusz Kosciuszko & Kazimierz Pulaski – from Poland.  Brought army engineering skills.  Helped train cavalry units

 Dec Washington settled his troops at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  Army running low on supplies- no food, little clothing.  Winter of … 1/5 of the soldiers died of disease and malnutrition.  By the end of winter, troops were frustrated.  Friedrich von Steuban- Prussian army officer.  Taught troops basic military skills.

 Continental Congress created the Continental Navy and marines.  By the navy only had 8 fighting ships.  Instead of fighting large battles, Patriots tried to attack individual British ships.  Also attacked British supply ports and merchant ships.  John Paul Jones- one of the most successful American captains.  Captured many British supply ships.