The Americans Win Independence Notes: Chapters 4.3 – 4.4

The War Moves to the Middle States Summer 1776 – Battle of NY Fewer than 8,000 remained in Washington’s Army December 25, 1776 – Battle of Trenton 8 days later, Washington defeated 1,200 British at Princeton August 1777, General Howe captures Philadelphia

Victory at Saratoga Burgoyne planned a complex scheme to isolate New England with General Howe Burgoyne’s army was tired, hungry and worn-down from their trek General Howe was too preoccupied with life in Philadelphia October 17, 1777 – American troops surround Burgoyne at Saratoga France now agreed to openly support the Revolution Of the 10,000 soldiers who camped at Valley Forge, over 2,000 died

Colonial Life During the Revolution Congress caused massive inflation by printing more and more paper money Had to deal with profiteering September 8, 1778 – Continental Army finally paid in gold coin 5,000 African American slaves served in the Continental Army

European Allies Shift the Balance February 1778, Frederich Von Steuben volunteered his services to General Washington Taught Colonial Soldiers to stand at attention, execute field maneuvers, fire and reload quickly, and wield bayonets Marquis de Lafayette also offered his assistance to Washington Stayed with Washington at Valley Forge, asked for French reinforcements in 1779, led a command in Virginia

The British Move South May 1780, Generals Clinton and Cornwallis capture Charles Town, South Carolina Many escaped slaves joined the British January 1781, Continental Army forced British to surrender in Cowpens, SC Cornwallis lost ¼ of his troops in victory at Guilford House, NC April 3, 1781 – General Greene wrote a letter to Lafayette Cornwallis moved his 7,500 troops into peninsula between James and York rivers

British Surrender at Yorktown Lafayette suggested the American and French armies join forces with the 2 French fleets French forces blocked the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay 17,000 French and American troops surrounded the British on the Yorktown peninsula October 17, 1781 – Cornwallis finally surrendered Continental Congress sent excellent team of negotiators to bargain the treaty September 1783 – Treaty of Paris is signed

The War Becomes a Symbol of Liberty Rise of egalitarianism began during the war Women still struggled to gain any political rights whatsoever Most African Americans were still enslaved Settlers from the U.S. moved west and began taking tribal lands left unprotected by the Treaty of Paris