Chapter 7 1-2 D Section 1: The Early Years of the War Section 2: The War Expands 1-2 D

It looks like there’s a good chance of a war with England After the Proclamation of 1763 After the Stamp Act After the Quartering Act After the Sugar Act After The Townshend Acts After the Tea Act After the Intolerable Acts After the Boston Massacre After Lexington and Concord After Bunker Hill After the Book “Common Sense” is published After the Declaration of Independence is Written D

At the beginning of the American Revolution: The colonists were fighting for: Their rights under English law A revision (change) of certain laws Remember: Just writing the Declaration of Independence did not make the colonies an independent country – they had to have a revolution D

1/3 1/3 1/3 rule: There are three groups of people usually involved in political decisions. Those who are for the issue. Those who are against the issue. Those who don’t really have a strong opinion. In the American Revolution: About 30% were Loyalists (loyal to England). About 40% were Patriots (wanted independence). About 30% were neutral (no side). 4 D

The Americans did form an Army (The Continental Army) And… George Washington became commander Most men were only signed up for a year (and then just went home). These soldiers were very low on supplies (blankets, shoes, food, and even guns and ammunition). They were just not a very good army. The British didn’t feel they had enough men, and they even used mercenaries: professional soldiers hired to fight in another country 5 D

There were some famous battles Battle of the Mohawk Fort Ticonderoga The Battle of Brandywine The Battle of Saratoga – the turning point in the Revolutionary War And… many others D

But things didn’t start getting better for the colonists until… An “ally” came to their aide. France also didn’t like the British and had problems with them in the past ( and still wanted revenge). They formed an alliance and helped by sending funds, supplies, and troops. The French – also convinced Spain to help the Americans – even Poland and Germany sent some help. This forced the British to fight several enemies at once – and in several places at once. 6 A country with a common goal An agreement to work together D

One of the more famous places / times of the Revolution: winter at Valley Forge Washington’s army was very short on supplies. Men even slept in shifts because there weren’t enough blankets. Men even shared clothing – whoever was on guard duty took the others clothes to stand out in the weather. The others sat by the fire and waited. They ran out of shoes and used old hats on their feet. Soldiers sometimes went days without food and when they did eat, it was often flour and water mixed and cooked. “Feet and legs froze until they were black, and it was often necessary to amputate them. 1/4 of the men died from the weather. The name Valley Forge came to stand for the great hardships that Americans endured in the Revolutionary War. D

D

The war was also fought D On the frontier (This was more than half the total size of the United States) At sea (But America didn’t have it’s own ships. American privateers attacked British merchant ships. Privately owned American ships that were given permission to capture British ships, take their cargo and keep the money they made. D

In one famous sea battle against the British: John Paul Jones was commander of the “Bonhomme Richard.” Jones and the British ship “the Serapis” were in the middle of a great battle. The British commander demanded that Jones surrender. Jones responded “I have not yet begun to fight” The kind of successes inspired the Americans 7 D

8-10 JOHN PAUL JONES, 1747-1792, U.S. NAVY, 1775-1783. HE GAVE OUR NAVY ITS EARLIEST TRADITIONS OF HEROISM AND VICTORY. D In a marble crypt in Annapolis, Maryland, at the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel, lies an American hero. In death, as in life, John Paul Jones commands the deepest affection of his fellow countrymen.