 After victories in Canada and New York, British troops thought the war would soon end  They settled in New York City to rest for the winter and left new Jersey in the hands of German mercenaries (Hessians)  British delay allowed Washington to gather reinforcements

 On Christmas night in 1776, Washington and 2400 soldiers crossed the Delaware River and attacked the Hessians  Patriots were short on supplies but ready to fight  Captured 900 Hessians with just 5 American casualties

 Washington and his troops march to Princeton  One night the Patriots kept their campfires burning for the British to see  They left camp in the dark and circled behind British troops  The Patriots attacked the next morning

 Fought in 1777  A series of battles that took place in and around Albany, New York.  Major Victory for the Continental Army  Considered the turning point of the Revolutionary War

 1 st victory in the war in over 2 years  Major victory – Convinced many Americans that they had a chance to win the war  Convinced European countries that America had a chance of winning  After this battle, the country of France decides to publicly recognize America as an Independent Country

 France declared war on England  France send troops, navy ships, and supplies  Eventually France convinces Spain to join in the war as well to help America  Bernardo de Galvez was the governor of Spanish Louisiana and a key ally to the Patriots on the western frontier  Only problem, it will be 6 months (during winter) before the French can arrive and help out

 During the winter of , the American troops must survive to receive French help  Washington takes them to Pennsylvania, at a place called Valley Forge  ¼ of Washington's army died at Valley Forge of starvation, disease, and frostbite  “We stayed because of Washington…We loved him…We would sell our lives for him”

 Friedrich von Steuben was a veteran Prussian army officer who came to Washington’s aid  He spoke no English  He taught them American troops basic military skills  Turned the Continental Army into a well trained group of soldiers

 Americans had only 5 ships  No match for the British Navy  Instead of fighting large battles, they would attack individual British ships  John Paul Jones was a brave and clever sailor who captured many British supply ships  Americans used fewer than 100 ships  British lost more then 200 ships

 Over the next 3 years, the tide of the war turns in favor of America (due to the French help)  In 1781, the remainder of the British Army is surrounded at Yorktown, Virginia  After a short battle, Lord Cornwallis surrenders to Washington  This is the final battle of the Revolutionary War, but the hardships for America have just begun