Chapter 4 Section 4: Fighting for Independence

The Siege of Boston May Fort Ticonderoga Vermont militia under Colonel Ethan Allen & Benedict Arnold crossed Lake Champlain & surprised the British in northern NY,capture cannons & supplies (patriot victory) 20,000 Patriots at Boston kept the British at bay

The Battle of Bunker Hill June 17, 1775 British troops marched 3x’s up Breed’s Hill 1,600 Patriots poured musket fire into their ranks Third time General Gage succeeded taking Breed’s Hill Patriots used all of their ammunition & forced to retreat

Overran the Patriots to the second hill- Bunker Hill Nearly 1,100 of 2,400 British were killed or wounded –Patriots fewer than 400

The British leave Boston General Gage remained in Boston for 9 more months, but is replaced by: General Howe June/July Washington came to Philadelphia & was named commanding General of the Patriot forces Worked the militia into the Continental Army

Colonel Henry Knox brought cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to Dorchester Heights (south of Boston) Jan Could shell the British in the city & the ships in the harbor British abandoned Boston Mar –Moved north to Halifax, Canada –Took 1,000 loyalists (some fled to England, West Indies, or Canada)

Strengths & Weaknesses According to John Adams –One third of the colonists were Patriots –One third were Tories- loyal to the King –One third were neutral

The British Military - Strengths –Well equipped, disciplined & trained army Navy was the world’s finest –Received help from various sources 50,000 loyalists - Tories Slaves (promised freedom) Native Americans 30,000 mercenaries “Hessians”hired soldiers

Weaknesses –War wasn’t popular at home Citizens resented paying taxes to fight/ support the war. –Soldiers fought in hostile territory –Commanders resisted adapting their tactics

The Americans Strengths –Fighting on their own territory –Officers were familiar with their tactics used during the French & Indian War George Washington –African American soldiers

Weaknesses –Lacked a well supplied, stable, & effective military –Lack of planned strategy Never knew the number of troops that would show up

Fighting in the North Summer 1776 Howe appeared off NY –Battle of Long Island- Britain battered the Patriots Patriot Nathan Hale volunteered to cross enemy lines & obtain information on the British position SPY –Disguised as a Dutch schoolmaster, succeeded & returned back on Sept 21, caught & hung

Retreat from New York Oct- Britain captured NYC & drove the Continental Army to PA – Washington’s troops low morale –Continental Congress fled Philadelphia Dec Thomas Paine wrote “The Crisis”-

Trenton & Princeton Washington had to be innovative since he lacked adequate financial support, supporters, & experienced troops Crossed the Delaware River Dec. 25 th –In the morning surprised 1,400 Hessians troops –Battle of Trenton-morale boost

A few days later, made a similar attack on Princeton –Cornwallis saw them & attacked American troops drove them back, inflicted heavy losses on the British & captured the town These victories boosted the Patriot morale & convinced more Americans to join the cause

Victory at Saratoga July General Howe moved his 15,000 member army from NY to attack Philadelphia Washington was defeated at Brandywine Creek outside of Philadelphia in September Britain occupied Philadelphia Patriots tried to force them out but lost at the Battle of Germantown

A British Attack from the North General Burgoyne moved in northern NY to cut off New England –Quickly recaptured Fort Ticonderoga –Americans destroyed everything in their path on their retreat

Mid Sept. American led by General Horatio Gates attacked Burgoyne’s forces Battle of Saratoga, New York(essay) Oct. 17, 1777 Burgoyne surrendered Turning point in the war –Brought FRENCH power to aid the Americans, created a 2 front war.

Help from Abroad BEFORE - France was giving us secret aid AFTER We wanted an open ally Feb. 6, 1778 France & US signed a treaty of alliance More supplies, money, troops, & a navy Britain had to defend itself in Europe & the Colonies Spain joins the war as France’s ally & Netherlands in 1780