The American Revolution

Patriots American colonists who were determined to fight the British until American independence was won

Loyalists (Tories) Colonists who chose to side with the British Did not think unfair taxes were a good reason for rebellion Strongest loyalist support was in the Carolinas and Georgia Weakest loyalist support was in New England Many fled the colonies for England

Neutral Taking no side in a conflict

British Advantages Most powerful Navy in the world Huge population advantage More experienced military Plenty of financial support

American Advantages Fighting on land they knew very well Were eager to defend their land British had to ship soldiers and supplies thousands of miles across the Atlantic Ocean British depended heavily on mercenaries

Mercenaries Hired soldiers

Hessians What the Americans called the British mercenaries. Name comes from the region in Germany most of them were from Main goal for winning the war was money

Recruit Enlist

Margaret Corbin Followed husband when he joined the Continental Army. Took his place on the battlefield when he was killed

Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley “Molly Pitcher” Followed husband when he joined the Continental Army Became known as “Molly Pitcher” for carrying water pitchers around the battlefield for soldiers

Deborah Sampson Disguised herself as a man and joined the army to fight

Thomas Paine Wrote Common Sense prior to the war The issue was freedom not taxes Wrote The American Crisis early in the war “These are the times that try men’s souls” “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph”

Nathan Hale Teacher from Connecticut Hero at the battle of Long Island despite the American defeat Spied on the British as a Dutch schoolteacher Discovered by British and hung Last words were “I only regret that I have one life to lose for my country”

African Americans in the War Many fought with the British after being offered freedom to fight against the Patriots General George Washington asked to have free African Americans enlisted Southern states feared a revolt from armed African Americans because of their large slave population Rhode Island was the first state to have an all African American regiment Every state eventually state enlisted African Americans except South Carolina

Christmas Night 1776 British soldiers were taking a break from fighting because of the harsh winter. Washington led his men across an icy Delaware River and attacked a group of Hessian soldiers. Americans used momentum from this victory to defeat the British again at Princeton

Benedict Arnold Led the Americans to victory in Albany

Saratoga Americans, led by General Horatio Gates, defeated the British, led by General John Burgoyne, forcing them to surrender Showed European powers that the Americans might win and led to support from other nations who hated Britain

France Originally only gave money secretly to the Americans. After the Battle of Saratoga they officially supported the Americans. Began to send money as well as equipment to assist the Americans.

Spain Did not officially recognize America as a nation until after the Revolutionary War. Sent troops to fight the British Forced the British to pay attention to two enemies. Defeated the British in the Mississippi Valley and along the Gulf of Mexico

Netherlands Declared war with Britain Loaned money to the Americans

Valley Forge Winter camp for George Washington and the Continental Army in the winter of 1778 Army suffered because of a lack of food, clothing, blankets, shelter and shoes Washington’s wife Martha helped by making clothes for the troops and caring for the sick Greatest challenge was keeping the army together Many men deserted the army

Deserted To leave without permission

Marquis de Lafayette French nobleman who joined the Continental Army after reading the Declaration of Independence Spent the winter at Valley Forge with the Continental Army Became a trusted advisor to General Washington

Friedrich von Steuben Former German officer who helped turn the Continental Army into an effective fighting unit. Drilled the Continental Army in proper military technique during the winter at Valley Forge

Causes of French-American Alliance Longstanding hostility between Britain and France Conflict between Britain and France during the French and Indian War Victory at Saratoga boosts French confidence in Patriots

Effects of French-American Alliance France signed a treaty of alliance with the United States in 1778 France lends money to the Continental Congress France sends soldiers and ships to help American forces Americans win indepedence

Inflation A continuous rise in the price of goods and services Caused Congress to stop issuing paper money

Francis Marion The British called him the Swamp Fox Led a small group of expert fighters from South Carolina They lived off the land and continually surprised attack the British Him and his men hid in the swamps between attacks

Guerrilla Warfare Hit and run technique of fighting

Native Americans Mostly fought against the Americans Felt the British were less of a threat to their land

Blockade to cut off an area by means of troops or warships to stop supplies or people from coming in or going out British blockade prevented supplies and reinforcements from reaching the Continental Army

Privateers Privately owned warships Captured several British ships to assist the weak American Navy

John Paul Jones Successful American privateer commander Famously said “I have not yet begun to fight.” Captured the British ship Serapis despite his ship the Bonhomme Richard’s severe damage The Bonhomme Richard sank shortly after the battle

Charleston, South Carolina Location of the worst defeat for Americans during the American Revolution British captured thousands of prisoners

General Charles Cornwallis Commanded the British forces in the south Won the Battle of Camden Surrendered at the Battle of Yorktown after being defeated by American and French forces

General Horatio Gates Commanded American forces in the south Lost the battle of Camden due to several bad decisions

Guerilla Warfare a hit and run technique used in fighting a war, using small bands of warriors using tactics such as sudden ambushes

Comte De Rochambeau Led a unit of French soldiers, who were originally trapped by the British in Newport, Rhode Island, to Yorktown to assist General Washington and his men.

Francois Joseph De Grasse French admiral who prevented the British from escaping at the battle of Yorktown

Battle of Yorktown Battle that finally showed the British that the war was to costly.

Treaty of Paris Officially ended the American Revolutionary War on September 3, 1783 American representatives at the meetings were Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay Britain promised to withdraw all troops from American territory Great Britain officially recognized the United States as a nation

Pension A fixed amount of money paid at regular intervals for past services.

Newburgh Conspiracy Potential revolt by the soldiers of the Continental Army over Congress’ original refusal to pay their pension.

George Washington Resigned his command of the Continental Army on December 4, 1783 Returned to his home in Mount Vernon in time for Christmas