The War Expands Chapter 7 Section 2

Help from Abroad Key ? – Why did France and Spain enter the war? Ally – a country that helps another country achieve a common goal. France secretly giving aid to the colonists beginning in 1776. After the battle of Saratoga, King Louis XVI publicly recognized U.S. independence.

continued France persuaded Spain to help Americans. Spain prevented British from attacking the southwest. France and Spain forced the British to fight a number of enemies on land and sea. British had to spread their military resources over many fronts.

Foreign Officers Arrive Marquis de Lafayette – 19 yr. old aristocrat that volunteered to join American army. Washington trusted him and regarded him as a son. Fought in many battles, and persuaded King to send 6,000 troops to America. Baron de Kalb – German officer who served in the French army. Served in Washington’s army with a reputation for bravery.4

Winter at Valley Forge Key ? - How did Valley Forge transform the American army? Winter of 1777-78 – Washington and his army camped at Valley Forge. Soldiers lacked supplies – food, clothing, shoes etc. ¼ of the men died from malnutrition, exposure, or diseases. (smallpox& typhoid fever) Congress slow in acting; women drove in supplies on New Year’s Day 1778.

Patriotism Unites the Army American soldiers showed amazing endurance. A few deserted, most stayed. German officer, the Baron von Steuben, transformed the army into a skilled fighting force. Showed them how to fight formal battles against the British. Within a month executing drills with speed and precision.

Frontier Fighting Key ? – Why did the war spread to the frontier? Region between the Appalachians and the Mississippi River. 1775 – Daniel Boone helped to settle the Wilderness Road; a trail into Kentucky. George Rogers Clark persuaded VA governor Patrick Henry to allow him to raise an army to capture British outposts on the Western frontier. Clark wanted to attack the British and Indians in what is now Indiana and Illinois. Pg. 209-210.

War on the Waves Key? – How did Americans expand the naval war? British had 200 warships of the American coast. American navy small; Congress encouraged “privateers” ( a privately owned ship to attack British). After capturing a ship, the privateers sold its cargo and shared the money; 1000 privateers. John Paul Jones sailed across Atlantic to attack British ships. Became commander of a ship named Bonhomme Richard. “I have not yet begun to fight”; page 210-211.