American Revolution

Vocab review Patriots – Americans who supported independence Advantages – fighting on home ground, ideals, Washington was commander Disadvantages – no regular army or strong navy, few weapons

Loyalists (Tories) – Americans who did NOT support independence, strongest in the Carolinas and Georgia British Advantages – strong Army and Navy, military supplies, wealth Disadvantages – fighting far away from home, supplies and soldiers had to be shipped Britain hired mercenaries (Hessians) to help fight against the Americans. The Hessians were fighting for the money they were paid.

Fort Ticonderoga – May 10th, 1775 New York Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen led the Green Mountain Boys in an attack on the British Fort Surprised the older British soldiers there and forced them to surrender Gave the Patriots some much needed ammunition and cannons (100)

Battle of Bunker Hill – July 17, 1778 – Boston, MA British commander – General William Howe American commander – General Prescott Americans were occupying a hill outside Boston. British decided to attack the hill. The 1st and 2nd attempt failed. The 3rd attempt was only successful because the Americans ran out of ammo.

Famous order from American commander: “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.” Americans proved they could fight the well trained British army.

Battle of Trenton – December 26th, 1776 – Trenton, NJ American commander – General Washington Hessian commander – Colonel Johann Rall Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night (stormy, cold, difficult and snowing). Hessian regiments were isolated and couldn’t coordinate. They became surrounded and surrendered.

Although the battle was small it gave the continental army a much needed boost in confidence. They believed they could defeat the Europeans.

This led to increased enlistment into the Continental Army. After the Christmas attack the British, led by General Howe, planned to take control of the American capital in Philadelphia.

Battle of Saratoga – Sept. 17, 1777 – Saratoga, NY British General John Burgoyne wanted to cut the New England colonies off from the rest of the colonies by taking control of NY. Planned to attack from multiple sides. By the time Burgoyne (supplies running low) , American General Horatio Gates was waiting. Burgoyne’s men were starving and went hunting after hearing wild turkeys near by.

There were not turkeys. It was actually American Daniel Morgan making a turkey call. The men engaged. Burgoyne was never able to reach his point in NY. The American victory ended the British threat and lifted American spirits. It convinced other Europeans that the Americans had a chance at winning leading France to become our ally. This battle changes Benedict’s loyalties after feeling he should have gotten the credit.

Valley Forge – Winter 1777-1778 Lack of food, supplies and clothing Harsh Winter Washington was Losing the faith of His troops. Soldiers deserted Washington brought in Europeans to help

Help from Overseas France Germany Spain Marquis de Lafayette Washington’s right hand man Germany Friedrich Von Steuben Trained the military Spain Juan de Miralles Sent money

Allies France Spain Declared War on Britain 1778 Sent money

Battle of Yorktown – Sept-Oct 1781 – Yorktown, VA American commander – General Washington French commander – General Rochambeau British commander – General Lord Cornwallis 16,100 American and French soldiers – 6,000 British soldiers Cornwallis was waiting on the peninsula for fresh supplies and reinforcements

Washington and Lafayette blocked the British on land while the French navy blocked the British by sea. After 3 weeks of non-stop bombardment, Cornwallis surrendered to Washington in the field at Yorktown. Cornwall did not attend the formal surrender but sent his General O’Hara instead. Tried to surrender to French but they declined and sent him to Washington.

Yorktown ended the fighting in the American colonies. Negotiations began in France The Treaty of Paris (#2) was signed and officially ended the war.

Treaty Of Paris 1. 2. 3. Colonies can fish off the coast of Canada U.S recognized as an independent nation 2. Land from Atlantic to Mississippi 3. British withdraw from all American Territory British Merchants can collect debt Loyalists gain land back

Reason's for Defeat of British British Supplies running low Out numbered 7, 500 troops compared to 14, 000 French and Patriot Clinton's army in New York waiting for the French

Why Americans won the war Fought on own land Seige of Yorktown Help from other Nations Was a Peoples movement British depended on the sea Why Americans won the war

Women in Battle Women took arms in many cases too such as Margaret Corbin, Molly Pitcher, and Deborah Sampson

Home Front Women Loyalists Equality Question place in society Abigail Adams fought for women’s rights Told her husband – Remember the ladies Loyalists Shunned Flee colonies Mob violence Arrested (sometimes executed) Equality African Americans (Questioned Slavery)

African- Americans There were also African American soldiers such as Lemuel Hayes and Peter Salem

Nathan Hale – Patriot who worked as a spy on the British, was caught and hung. I regret I have but one life to give.