Chapter 7 Reading Notes

 Three weaknesses are… ◦ Short on soldiers ◦ Few men were trained for battle ◦ Shortages in food, guns, gunpowder, and clothing. Overall, none of the soldiers’ basic needs were met

 The Americans received help from overseas, mostly the French ◦ 90% of the American’s gunpowder came from Europe, mostly from France  Great Commander, George Washington ◦ He inspired courage and confidence

 Three British strengths are… ◦ British forces outnumbered the Continentals  Hired mercenaries, the Hessians  Recruited Loyalists, African Americans, and Native Americans ◦ More experience  Well train in European military tactics  Excelled in large battles ◦ British forces were well supplied and lacked for nothing

 Distance – the Atlantic Ocean  No buy-in from the English people ◦ King George and his ministers were never able to convince the British people that defeating the rebels was vital to Britain’s future  Poor leadership ◦ Lord George Germain had no real sense of how to defeat the rebels

 Why did the Declaration of Independence increase America’s motivation to fight and win the war? ◦ It increased morale. “Most of his [Washington’s] men agreed that independence was a prize worth fighting for.” p. 90

 African-American slaves ◦ They hoped to be freed after the Revolutionary War  “all men are created equal”  Britain promised freedom to all slaves who fought for the king  African-Americans fought for the militia as well ◦ By the time the Revolutionary War ended, some states took steps to outlaw slavery

 Defeat in New York  British forces chased the American out of New York, through New Jersey, and across the Delaware into Pennsylvania  Lack of basic supplies – food, clothing

 Times that try men’s souls ◦ Very difficult circumstances make soldiers look into their “souls” (conscience)  Summer soldier and sunshine patriot ◦ A soldier who only fights when the conditions are good, being rather selfish and lacking dedication  But he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman ◦ Recognizing the men who continue to fight through very hard times – showing appreciation for the dedication

 The Hessians were “sleeping off” the Christmas celebration and caught by surprise  Mercenaries surrendered (after all, they are paid to fight, not paid to die)

 The patriots became “liberty mad” again  Improved morale a great deal

 Rather than defeating the British, Washington just wanted to tire them out.

 France came into the war as an ally  Spain also entered the war against Britain

 Baron Friedrich von Steuben from Prussia (Germany) worked on “continual drill”  Marquis de Lafayette – one of the richest men in France, chose to stay at Valley Forge. Used his own money to buy the men warm clothing. He helped raise the troops’ spirits.

 Guerrilla warfare was used within the swamp- lands of the South (Francis Marion)  Gen. Nathaniel Greene led the British on a chase, trying to wear them out. “We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again.”

 France has sent nearly 5,000 troops  3,000 more troops on 29 warships were on the way  Washington – with the French – surrounded Yorktown on land.  The French warships blocked off the port

 Cornwallis was “sick” (from shame)  The British people no longer supported any part of the war “Yorktown took the heart out of whatever support was left for the war”

 Great Britain agreed to recognize the US as an independent nation  Britain gave up its claim to all lands between the Atlantic and the Mississippi  US agreed to return all rights and property taken from Loyalists