Dark Hours for the Revolution

Comparing Strengths and Weaknesses Great Britain’s advantages: –More money and resources –Powerful army –Largest Navy (US does not have one)

Comparing Strengths and Weaknesses Colonists’ Advantages: – Americans supported Revolution so British army deals with angry citizens

Comparing Strengths and Weaknesses Colonists’ Advantages: –We fight on home ground but British have to ship supplies across ocean

Comparing Strengths and Weaknesses Colonists’ Advantages: –British were mercenaries or hired foreign soldier while Patriots fighting for cause they believed in

A Call to Arms American Soldiers –230,000 American soldiers –145,000 join local militias –Many teenagers

A Call to Arms Should African Americans join army? –Washington bans African Americans because southerners say NO!!

A Call to Arms Should African Americans join army? –Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation – freedom for any slave who fights for British  Thousands of slaves agree!!

A Call to Arms Should African Americans join army? –American army in trouble and will now let free African Americans serve  5,000 African Americans join

Other Sources of Help American Indians – Indian leader Thayendanegea persuades Iroquois Indians to help British –Patriots try to keep Indians neutral

Other Sources of Help Women –Ran farms and businesses while men fought – raise money for supplies or start sewing groups

Other Sources of Help Women “ At every house Women and children are making cartridges, running Bullets…and at the same time animating (encouraging) their Husbands and Sons to fight.”

Other Sources of Help Women –Also serve as messengers, nurses and spies

Other Sources of Help Women –Mary Ludwig Hays, aka Molly Pitcher, brings water to thirsty troops and loads cannons when husband is injured

British Victories Canada –Patriots capture St. Johns and Montreal, Canada

British Victories Canada –British defeat Americans when they try to attack them in Quebec during snow storm

British Victories New York –British drive Americans off of Long Island –British take all American’s supplies and Americans forced to retreat