Fighting of the American Revolution

Loyalists vs. Patriots Loyalists Patriots Disagree with independence Support England/Crown Judges, governors Lived far from cities, not exposed to taxes/acts Thought the British were going to win Thought England would better protect their interests Supporters of Independence People saw economic opportunity in an independent America Farmers, artisans, merchants, landowners, elected officials About half of the population

Advantages/Disadvantages Familiarity of the land Not fighting for a cause Strong, well-trained army Shortage of food and ammunition Leadership of George Washington Inferior/no navy Fighting for a cause-Independence No central government Guerilla warfare No Bank Strong central government Weak leadership Troops unfamiliar with the land Large distance to ship troops/weapons Had money/banks Fought in straight lines/red uniforms Soldiers are untrained/undisciplined Had support of the French Support of Native Americans/loyalists

British vs. Americans British Americans Strong, well-trained army Strong central government Troops unfamiliar with the land Had money/banks Support of Native Americans/loyalists Not fighting for a cause Weak leadership Large distance to ship troops/weapons Fought in straight lines/red uniforms Familiarity of the land Leadership of George Washington Fighting for a cause-Independence Guerilla warfare Soldiers are untrained/undisciplined Shortage of food and ammunition Inferior/no navy No central government No Bank Had support of the French

Knowing the Sides British Americans Loyalists Red Coats Lobster Backs English Tory Patriots Rebels Continentals Minutemen

First Phase British tried to take New England- were unsuccessful at Lexington & Concord Sullivan’s Island- reason the British focus on the North Decided to move the Middle Atlantic States to stop the rebellion by isolating New England Wanted to take Saratoga

Phase Two Battle of Trenton Americans were in a bad situation- fewer than 8,000 men remained and many were very sick Needed a victory to improve morale and get foreign aid Washington decided to risk everything on Christmas night, 1776 Despite a storm, Washington and his 2,400 men crossed the Delaware River to launch a surprise attack on Trenton, NJ By 8:00 Washington and his men had marched 9 miles in the snow to Trenton In the surprise attack, the Americans killed 30 and took 918 captive After this attack, the Americans won again in Princeton These victories boosted morale and helped Washington regroup

Battle of Saratoga British General: Burgoyne His plan was to lead an army down from Canada to Albany where he would meet British General Howe from NYC The two generals would join forces and cut off New England British had 4,000 Red Coats, 3,000 Hessians, and 1,000 Indians American General: Horatio Gates Gathered militiamen and soldiers from all over NY and New England Americans surrounded Burgoyne, and continued attacking British surrendered October 17, 1777

Effects of Saratoga British changed their war strategy- stayed close to the coast where they could easily get reinforcements TURNING POINT: French were still angry from the French & Indian War, so once they saw America could win after Saratoga, the French agreed to help America France agreed to give Americans support- TREATY OF ALLIANCE OF 1778 Ben Franklin negotiated it with the French Recognized American independence Agreed not to make peace with Britain unless England recognized American independence Led to British turning their attention to the South

Phase 3- The South Britain thought that there were more Loyalists in the South. Southern resources were more valuable/worth preserving. The British win a number of small victories, but could not overcome the countryside Fighters in the countryside used guerilla warfare, were committed to winning

Phase 3- The Carolinas Battle of Charleston Battle of Camden British took over the city- biggest defeat of the Patriots Battle of Camden Major mistakes of the Americans, led to their defeat Battle of Kings Mountain Americans vs. Americans Defeat of the loyalists, gives Americans confidence Battle of Cowpens Best planned battle of the war Huge defeat of the British

Phase 3- End of the War Defeats in Carolina led the British to retreat back north Cornwallis decided to take his men on boats from VA back to NY Washington found out about this plan and changed his own plan Leads to Battle of Yorktown

Phase 3- Battle of Yorktown Leading up to the battle Washington left NY to surround Cornwallis at Yorktown, VA Kept the plan secret so the British wouldn’t know Washington was on the move Washington would surround the British on the west, and the French would arrive off the coast to keep the British from leaving on their boats, and from receiving aid/reinforcements

Battle of Yorktown October 19, 1781

Yorktown Cornwallis retreated from Carolinas to New York and waited for help from Clinton and British navy in Yorktown. French fleet blocked York River and harbor so British navy could not reach and help Cornwallis. Washington shelled British army for 3 weeks.

Yorktown – 1781 17,000 Americans were fighting. Washington and French leaders surrounded the British troops – right and left. Last desperate attempt to stop Americans – sent runaway slaves to infect with small pox over to infect American and French troops. British surrounded and Cornwallis surrenders

RESULTS 1. Official papers were signed on the 19th, making the war officially over. [While papers signed, British band played song “The World Turned Upside Down”.]

Treaty of Paris -1783

Treaty of Paris - 1783 Peace treaty did the following: Formally recognized The United States of America as a separate country Boundaries of U.S. from Mississippi River to Atlantic Ocean.

Problems Facing the New Nation U.S. lost main trading partner. U.S. now had to create document to govern 13 states that considered states more important than a national government.

Map of United States of America - 1783