The American Revolution

Americans Divided Not all colonists supported the idea of independence. Not all colonists supported the idea of independence. About 20% of the American colonists were Loyalists About 20% of the American colonists were Loyalists About 40% of the American colonists were Patriots About 40% of the American colonists were Patriots About 40% of the American colonists were Neutral About 40% of the American colonists were Neutral

Washington’s strategy To keep the Continental Army in the field To keep the Continental Army in the field Washington knew that if his army was defeated and captured by the British that the war would be over. Washington knew that if his army was defeated and captured by the British that the war would be over.

Washington’s strategy Any time he engaged the British he always had an escape plan in mind for his army in case he was defeated. Any time he engaged the British he always had an escape plan in mind for his army in case he was defeated.

Britain’s Strategy To seize the Hudson River Valley To seize the Hudson River Valley If successful they would cut off New England from the other colonies. If successful they would cut off New England from the other colonies.

Britain’s Strategy It called for three armies to meet in Albany, New York. It called for three armies to meet in Albany, New York. 2 armies from Canada and General Howe and his army from New York. 2 armies from Canada and General Howe and his army from New York.

Battle of Trenton Washington knew he needed a big victory because most of the army enlistment duty ended December 31st. Washington knew he needed a big victory because most of the army enlistment duty ended December 31st. Late on December 25, 1776 he decided to attack a British force made up of Hessian mercenaries. Late on December 25, 1776 he decided to attack a British force made up of Hessian mercenaries.

Battle of Trenton Washington and his men crossed the Delaware River early on the morning of the 26th. Washington and his men crossed the Delaware River early on the morning of the 26th. The Hessians were surprised by the attack and not able to put up much resistance. The Hessians were surprised by the attack and not able to put up much resistance. With this victory most of the army reenlisted With this victory most of the army reenlisted

Battle of Saratoga British General Howe did not meet his other armies in Albany, instead he attacked Pennsylvania British General Howe did not meet his other armies in Albany, instead he attacked Pennsylvania The Americans were able to surround the British and force them to surrender The Americans were able to surround the British and force them to surrender

Battle of Saratoga This is the turning point in the war This is the turning point in the war It caused European nations to think that the Americans might have a chance to win the war. It caused European nations to think that the Americans might have a chance to win the war. Because of this several European nations agreed to help America Because of this several European nations agreed to help America

Help from Abroad King Louis XVI signed two treaties of alliance with the United States King Louis XVI signed two treaties of alliance with the United States France sent aid in the form of : France sent aid in the form of : 1. money 2. supplies 3. troops

Valley Forge Washington’s winter camp for Washington’s winter camp for Very difficult time; not enough food or warm clothing Very difficult time; not enough food or warm clothing

Valley Forge This is where Baron von Steuben helped train the army This is where Baron von Steuben helped train the army He taught them how to drill and function as one unit He taught them how to drill and function as one unit

War at Sea The US had a very small navy The US had a very small navy John Paul Jones was the best known and most successful commander John Paul Jones was the best known and most successful commander a. His ship was the Bonhomme Richard b. He defeated the British war ship Serapis in the most famous naval battle of the war

American Tactics in the South surprise hit and run attacks on enemy supply lines or guerrilla tactics were used. surprise hit and run attacks on enemy supply lines or guerrilla tactics were used. both patriots and loyalists used these tactics both patriots and loyalists used these tactics

Battle of Yorktown Cornwallis and the Southern British army were trapped in Yorktown by Washington’s army and the French naval fleet Cornwallis and the Southern British army were trapped in Yorktown by Washington’s army and the French naval fleet American and French forces bombarded the fort with cannon fire American and French forces bombarded the fort with cannon fire

Battle of Yorktown Cornwallis surrendered Cornwallis surrendered Last major battle of the American Revolution Last major battle of the American Revolution

Why the Americans won the war 1. Better leadership 1. Better leadership 2. Foreign Aid 2. Foreign Aid 3. Knowledge of the land 3. Knowledge of the land 4. Motivation 4. Motivation

Treaty of Paris (1783) ended the American Revolution (America won) ended the American Revolution (America won) 6 conditions: 6 conditions: 1. The US was independent 1. The US was independent 2. Boundaries would be the Mississippi R. on the west, Canada on the north, and Spanish Florida on the south 2. Boundaries would be the Mississippi R. on the west, Canada on the north, and Spanish Florida on the south

Treaty of Paris (1783) 3. US got the right to fish off Canada’s Atlantic Coast 4. Each would repay debts it owed the other 5. The British were to return any enslaved persons it had captured 6. Congress would recommend property taken from loyalists would be returned.

Costs of the War an estimated 25,700 Americans died during the war an estimated 25,700 Americans died during the war an estimated 10,000 British soldiers were killed an estimated 10,000 British soldiers were killed

A New Form of Government Republicanism – instead of a king, the people would rule; government would obtain its authority from the citizens and be responsible to them Republicanism – instead of a king, the people would rule; government would obtain its authority from the citizens and be responsible to them