Chapter 7: The American Revolution Section 3: The Path to Victory Section 4: The Legacy of the War D

If the British weren’t having as much success as they hoped in the North… They didn’t have enough troops to control the countryside and all the militia / minutemen in the North. They thought for sure they’d do well in the South (the believed many southerners were loyalists). They also thought a lot of slaves would help them (if they would promise them freedom) D

During this war (as in any war), both sides had advantages and disadvantages and used military tactics (19) English Advantages Had a better trained army. Had a better equipped army. Had a good Navy American Advantages They were fighting on their own land. Fighting for a cause they believed in. Got help from France. Knew the most effective methods of fighting English Disadvantages 1/3 of Americans favored the revolution. Not enough money to pay for all the soldiers supplies or food. Fighting 3000 miles from home. Many English at home opposed another war. American Disadvantages Poorly trained army. Most Indians helped the English. Some Colonists were loyalists Colonists on the British side during the revolution D

The big challenges in the south were going to be at Camden, South Carolina, and then at Charles Town The British General in charge there was: Lord Cornwallis (6/14) At first, the Americans did poorly – they were out of supplies and half starved. Colonists decided to change their battle tactics. American Patriots decided to start using guerilla (7/13) tactics – and they carried out vicious raids. Small groups of fighters who use surprise raids, and “hit and run” tactics D

The Continental Army Did much better when the avoided full scale battles with the British. The British had superior training and firepower. D

As the fighting dragged on into its 6th year… the “tide started to turn” Opposition to the war continued to grow in Britain Some British leaders began to think that American independence might not be such a bad idea. D

By now, Cornwallis was in Yorktown (16), Virginia Washington and the French had him trapped there. When Cornwallis’ supply ships tried to reach him, French ships drove them back. American and French troops bombarded Yorktown with cannon fire. Cornwallis had no way out and was forced to surrender. The war was pretty much …………………….OVER D

The Treaty of Paris (30) (at the end of wars, both sides have meetings and come to some agreements) 5. Britain would return any captured and enslaved colonists 3. The U.S. could fish off the coast of Canada 1. The United States would be an independent country 4. Each side would pay the debts it owed to the other side 6. States should return any Loyalists property to them D 2. It’s new boundaries were established

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Costs of the War D 25,000 dead Americans (Look at the chart on page 213) 8,000 badly wounded 10,000 British dead Soldiers were left with no money – the did get some free land, but many sold it so they could eat. America was left with a war debt of 27 million dollars. Up to 100,000 Loyalists left the country. And… the United States now had some decisions to make about how to set up their new country… Next slide D

They came up with an idea called Republicanism (49/58) Government would get its authority from the people and would be responsible to them. But, for this to work, people would have to place national interests above their own interests. D

  According to legend, on June 14, 1777 the first flag with 13 stars and 13 stripes was made by Betsy Ross. The Continental Congress agreed that it should be used as the symbol of American Freedom.  We now celebrate June 14th as Flag Day every year. D