The War for American Independence Chapter 7
You Say You Want a Revolution? The newly formed United States of America declares independence July 4 th, 1776 Just One SLIGHT Problem: –No other country recognizes us as being independent
Divisions in Colonial America Not all colonists were supportive of the war Loyalists made up % of the population 40-45% were Patriots 25-40% were Pacifists and/or Neutral Northern colonies were mostly Patriots Southern states were Loyalist
Reasons for Remaining Loyal AKA – “Tories” Some held jobs by the crown or parliament Some feared disorder without a king Some were members of the Anglican Church, headed by the king Some slaves were promised their freedom if they fought for the British
Reasons for Wanting American Independence AKA – Patriots No taxation without representation Colonies were self- sustaining Wanted religious freedom Some just wanted more land out west
Reasons for Being a Pacifist or Neutral Party Many such as the Quakers did not approve of war for religious reasons Remaining neutral allowed for partnerships with both sides, and later with the victor (like Switzerland has often done during past wars).
What About the Native Americans? Native American populations were severely divided Some tribes joined the British (fears of Americans taking more of their land) Others joined the Americans (had previous positive partnerships) Splits caused the largest war in Native American history!
#PatriotArmyProblems CComplied from state militias MMen were untrained, unskilled, and unprepared SSoldiers enlisted for only one year NNumbers never reached over 17,000 men
Off to a Lousy Start American armies lost almost all early battles they fought British were far better organized Congress did not fund armies well enough for quality equipment, supplies, food or medical care.
#BritishArmyProblems Many officers refused to fight against Americans Soldiers enlisted for life The war was expensive and unpopular in England The British had to hire many mercenary soldiers from Germany called Hessians
George Washington’s Leadership George Washington had fought in the French and Indian War and was a great military strategist However, Americans lost almost every early battle in the war Moral was very low in the fall/winter of 1776 Washington knew he needed a victory before the end of the year
Surprising Them in their Undies! Battle of Trenton
Battle of Trenton December 1776 OOn the night of December 25, 1776, George Washington crossed the freezing Delaware River to attack Hessians. TThe American troops surprised Hessian mercenary soldiers in an early morning raid and captured nearly 1,000 men. There were no American casualties TThe battle was a major victory for the Americans, as morale was boosted and soon the army began to attract recruits as a result
Battle of Saratoga Hope for the Colonies!
Battle of Saratoga October 1777 October 7, 1777; Saratoga, New York Turning point in the war – Victory at Saratoga American General Heratio Gates faced off against British General John Burgoyne (Benedict Arnold was the hero, but General Gates gets all the credit – remember this later on) Ended a major British threat in the northern colonies
Why did the Battle of Saratoga take place? The British plan was to cut the colonies in two along the New York state line like a snake– because when you cut off a snake’s head it dies! This plan did not work because the colonists killed British generals and Native American guides, and by doing so did not follow eighteenth-century laws of war.
American Victory! Burgoyne is forced to surrender.
Gaining New Allies! Upon hearing of the American victory at Saratoga, European countries like France and Spain declared their recognition of the United States of America and fully supported their war for independence. Help from France in particular was necessary in winning the war!
Merci, France! France lost their North American colonies to the British during the French and Indian War, and they are still bitter. France sent badly needed supplies, such as funds and troops, to the colonies. France also convinced their ___, _____, to also help the colonists. Britain was now forced to fight a two- front war; by land and by sea.
Foreign Officers Who Helped Washington In addition to funds, troops and supplies the French send Marquis de Lafayette to help the Americans. Lafayette used his own money to provide warm food and shelter for his men and convinced the king of France – Louis XVI (16 th ) to send a 6,000 men army to America. (However; Louis XVI was already giving secret aide to America). Another important general from Germany was named Baron de Kolb, who was very brave and trusted by George Washington.
“ These are the times that try men’s souls…” – Thomas Paine
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania Winter of 1777 When British troops took Philadelphia in September of 1777, General Washington was forced to make winter camp about 20 miles from Philadelphia at Valley Forge. It was a miserable winter for the 10,000 soldiers of the Continental Army at Valley Forge. Washington’s army lacked supplies such as food, blankets and shoes. 2500 men – or about 1/4 of the army - died that winter from malnutrition, exposure or diseases such as smallpox and typhoid fever. Congress was slow to respond to Washington’s requests for more supplies, and many soldiers deserted the army.
Hey Americans, Get It Together! Though times were tough, Washington’s determination and patriotism inspired men to keep fighting. Another important addition to the Continental Army was German Officer Baron Friedrich von Steuben. He taught soldiers how to handle rifles and fight in formal battles against the British. After the hard winter at Valley Forge the American army emerged a more efficient and stronger fighting machine!
Americans Rally and Fight Back!
Guerilla Warfare GGuerilla warfare was carried out by small bands of fighters who weakened the British with sneak raids and hit and run attacks. TThese soldiers used this type of fighting to disrupt supplies and communication and ambush British units. TThis type of fighting was very successful in the South, and the British were not able to travel safely in the countryside. TThe most famous guerilla warrior was Francis Marion, also known as “Swamp Fox”, who led attacks from a base in the middle of the swamps (called Snow Island) to cut off British supplies from Charleston, South Carolina.
The Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown August-October 1781 The last major battle of the American Revolution was fought at Yorktown, Virginia. Washington learned that the French Admiral de Grasse was sailing to Virginia to prevent the British army under the command of General Cornwallis from leaving Yorktown. He and the French General Rochambeau rushed their troops to Yorktown to trap the British and prevent them from escaping over land. Cornwallis was surrounded. The American and French troops gradually closed in on him. Cornwallis surrendered to Washington on Oct 19, 1781.
The Battle of Yorktown (1781) Count de Rochambeau Admiral De Grasse
What do I need to know about The Battle of Yorktown? The British army set up camp on a peninsula at Yorktown, Virginia. Washington’s army blocked British to the west on land, and the French Navy blocked them to the east on the sea. The British became trapped with no way for help to arrive. British General George Cornwallis finally surrendered. British leaders finally began peace talks. The American Revolution was finally over! The U.S. had won!
Reasons for American Victory 1.) Motivation – –The Patriots fought for freedom. – –The British and Hessians fought for money. 2.) Popular Support – –More citizens supported the Revolution in America than in Britain, where the war was very unpopular. 3.) Leadership – –American leaders, like George Washington, learned from their mistakes. – –British generals were overconfident, disunited and uncoordinated in their efforts. 4.) Foreign Allies – –France supplied money and ships, while Spain helped weaken Britain and win the war. – –Britain, meanwhile, had no one to help them. 5.) Communication and Supplies – –Americans had the home-field advantage. – –The British soldiers were far from home, unfamiliar with the land and had a difficult time shipping supplies. 6.) Troop Strength – –Americans had fewer troops in united army, but local militias helped when needed. (250,000 may have helped fight at some point.) – – Britain had 54,000 total fighting in the war.
Costs of the War It is estimated that 25,700 American soldiers died, 1,400 went missing, and 8,000 were wounded. Britain had about 10,000 deaths. Many soldiers were unable to be paid after their service, and instead were given certificates ensuring them land out west. However, many sold their land for food and basic needs. The U.S. did not have money because the war had created $27 million dollars in debt. Thousands of Loyalists lost property, and between 60,000 to 100,000 left the U.S. after the war. Many Native Americans and African Americans left to Canada and took native English traditions to French areas.
The Treaty of Paris The Treaty of Paris was negotiated by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay. It was signed September 3 rd, America received many gains: The U.S. was now recognized as an independent nation and new borders were formed along the Mississippi River to the west, Canada to the north, and Spanish-owned Florida to the south. The U.S. also received the right to fish off the coast of Canada. Other terms were made that were never carried out.
“Creating a New Nation for Dummies” The Revolution freed Americans from British rule and imperial power. America now had to prove that “Republicanism”, the idea that a country can be governed by the people, can work. Another ideal of the Revolution was the conflict between freedom and slavery – many states up north began to ban slavery because it went against the ideals of liberty, while southern states kept it because it was the basis of their economy. The last major ideal was the “separation of church and state”, meaning that government should not be involved in religious affairs. This final notion came from the ideals of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison - Madison would later draft much of the Constitution.