Unit 3: The Revolutionary War Ch Unit 3: The Revolutionary War Ch. 6 Recreating America: Independence & a New Nation, 1775-1783

British Advantages & Disadvantages 7.5 million Britons to 2.5 million colonists Professional army George III had the money to hire professional soldiers (30,000 Germans called Hessians) American Loyalists & Indians on their side

British Advantages & Disadvantages France wanted revenge Many Britons had no desire to kill their American cousins Fighting 3,000 miles from home America’s geographical advance was enormous No urban nerve center

American Advantages & Disadvantages Leaders such as G. Washington & B. Franklin Received foreign aid from France Wanted to regain power in N. America Economic reasons (trade) Enlightenment ideals Fighting on familiar terrain

American Advantages & Disadvantages Colonists were badly organized & still struggled to unify Militiamen were highly unreliable & lacked military skills Few basic military supplies Economic difficulties – Congress couldn’t tax to raise money for the army Food & clothing shortages occurred Only 1/3 of colonists were in favor of war for independence

Map of Loyalist Strongholds

Turning Point: Battle of Saratoga Oct. 1777 American forces were able to cut off the British charge on New England – colonial victory! This convinced the French of America’s military viability

Diplomacy France entered the war in 1778, followed by the Spanish (1779) & the Dutch (1780) Credit given to Ben Franklin for negotiating an alliance with the French The French offered guns/equipment, money, troops, & naval strength

Treaty of Paris 1783 B. Franklin, J. Adams, & J. Jay were the American peace negotiators Formally recognized the independence of the U.S.

Treaty of Paris 1783 Granted Americans land west to the Mississippi, north to the Great Lakes, & South to Spanish Florida Americans given a share of the fisheries in Newfoundland Britain kept Canada but had to give Florida to Spain States were to return confiscated property to the Loyalists American govt. would not interfere with collection of prewar debts owed to the British

Treaty of Paris 1783

Social Effects Women Took on various responsibilities during the war Abigail Adams pushed for more rights for women as the new govt. was being formed Republican Motherhood – women became responsible for teaching republican values & patriotism in the home

Social Effects Native Americans Those who fought sided with the British New colonial land acquisitions following the war led to increased hostilities; many fled to Canada Appealed to Congress on recognizing Indian territories but had little support

Social Effects African Americans Of those who fought, most sided with the British; few fought with the Continental Army Political leaders campaigned against slavery Eliminated in the North Remained deeply embedded in the South