7.1 The Early Years of the War

Learning Targets 1. Be able to describe how the war divided Americans 2. Be able to summarize the problems each side faced while preparing for war. 3. Be able to identify reasons why Spain and France entered the War.

Americans Divided Loyalists and Patriots 20% to 30% were Loyalists – choosing the British Side 20% to 30% were Loyalists – choosing the British Side 40% to 45% were Patriots 40% to 45% were Patriots - choosing the American Side 25% to 40% were Neutral – choosing neither side 25% to 40% were Neutral – choosing neither side New England and Virginia had the most Patriots New England and Virginia had the most Patriots Most of the taxes had specifically affected these two regions Most of the taxes had specifically affected these two regions Puritans, Presbyterians and Baptists were mostly Patriots Puritans, Presbyterians and Baptists were mostly Patriots Many Quakers, city dwellers, Government officials, Anglican Clergy and their church members were Loyalists Many Quakers, city dwellers, Government officials, Anglican Clergy and their church members were Loyalists The British offered African Slaves their freedom if they fought for the British. The British offered African Slaves their freedom if they fought for the British.

Patriots and Loyalists continued But 5000 Blacks served in the Continental Army. But 5000 Blacks served in the Continental Army. They believed the Declaration of Independence was for them too. They believed the Declaration of Independence was for them too. Native Americans were split on their supports. Native Americans were split on their supports. British promised to protect the Mohawk Lands British promised to protect the Mohawk Lands Colonists had developed Relationships Colonists had developed Relationships with many different tribes Most Quakers though were neutral as they were Pacifists meaning they were against all war. Most Quakers though were neutral as they were Pacifists meaning they were against all war.

The Patriot Cause The Parliament violated rights acquired by all Englishmen in the Magna Carta and English Bill of Rights The Parliament violated rights acquired by all Englishmen in the Magna Carta and English Bill of Rights The British taxed us without having legal representation. The British taxed us without having legal representation. Great Britain was 3000 miles away Great Britain was 3000 miles away The Blocked our expansion onto land won during the French and Indian War The Blocked our expansion onto land won during the French and Indian War The King placed troops in the colonies that were look at as foreign invaders. The King placed troops in the colonies that were look at as foreign invaders.

George Washington the Commander of the Continental Army Washington’s Army never had more than 17,000 men Washington’s Army never had more than 17,000 men The army was formed from state militias, made up of untrained and undisciplined volunteers, The army was formed from state militias, made up of untrained and undisciplined volunteers, Soldiers were part-time emergency fighters who were not prepared for the hardships of a long war. Soldiers were part-time emergency fighters who were not prepared for the hardships of a long war. The Troops under Washington had little supplies and Few trained soldiers. The Troops under Washington had little supplies and Few trained soldiers. The Continental Congress could not keep the army supplied they lacked blankets, shoes, food, and even guns and ammunitions The Continental Congress could not keep the army supplied they lacked blankets, shoes, food, and even guns and ammunitions

George Washington

George Washington Continued Washington’s main goal was to keep the Revolution alive. In the Continental Army’s current state Washington knew because of his problems he would never be able to directly attack the British Army He needed to keep an army in the field, win some battles, no matter how small and avoid a crushing defeat. He kept the army alive until he had trained troops And until he received assistance from the French. He won small victories at Trenton and Princeton.. The Continental Army won larger battles at Saratoga.

Women of the Revolution Wives of Officers and Soldiers often followed their husbands into the Army Camp. Wives of Officers and Soldiers often followed their husbands into the Army Camp. The women cooked, did laundry, and nursed sick or wounded soldiers. The women cooked, did laundry, and nursed sick or wounded soldiers. Some women such as Some women such as Deborah Sampson dressed as a man, enlisted and fought in several battles Deborah Sampson dressed as a man, enlisted and fought in several battles Catherine Moore Barry served as a scout in South Carolina Catherine Moore Barry served as a scout in South Carolina Molly McCauley and Margaret Corbin took over for their husbands loading cannon after they were wounded. Molly McCauley and Margaret Corbin took over for their husbands loading cannon after they were wounded. Women most often though managed farms and businesses while their husbands were fighting in the Revolution Women most often though managed farms and businesses while their husbands were fighting in the Revolution

Molly “Pitcher” McCauley

The British Army Most British believed the disorganized Americans would be easy to defeat Most British believed the disorganized Americans would be easy to defeat Many British people were not enthusiastic about the war, Many British people were not enthusiastic about the war, So the King/Parliament had trouble recruiting soldiers in Britain. So the King/Parliament had trouble recruiting soldiers in Britain. Many British officers refused to fight the Americans. Many British officers refused to fight the Americans. They had American family or didn’t agree with the British reasons for war. They had American family or didn’t agree with the British reasons for war. British soldiers signed up for life which discouraged enlistments. British soldiers signed up for life which discouraged enlistments. King George III had to hire German Mercenaries called Hessians to fill the ranks King George III had to hire German Mercenaries called Hessians to fill the ranks

Hessian and British Soldiers

Battles of Long Island, Trenton and Thomas Paine’s “American Crisis” Battle of Long Island August 27, 1776 Battle of Long Island August 27, 1776 Washington after Boston takes his army to New York to attack the British but is severely beaten. Washington after Boston takes his army to New York to attack the British but is severely beaten. With the Army in continual retreat Thomas Paine writes the American Crisis to urge the Army to keep fighting. With the Army in continual retreat Thomas Paine writes the American Crisis to urge the Army to keep fighting. “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” Thomas Paine “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” Thomas Paine Battle of Trenton Battle of Trenton On Christmas Day 1776 Washington’s Army defeats 900 Hessian soldiers by surprise attack saving the Army from collapse. On Christmas Day 1776 Washington’s Army defeats 900 Hessian soldiers by surprise attack saving the Army from collapse.

War in the Middle States

British Army’s Northern Strategy The British believed that New England was the source of the rebellion. The British believed that New England was the source of the rebellion. If the British controlled the Hudson River valley they could cut off new England from the other states. If the British controlled the Hudson River valley they could cut off new England from the other states.

The Battles of Saratoga The Americans commanded by Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold are able to stop the British and are able to capture a 5000 man British Army under the command of General Johnny Burgoyne. The Americans commanded by Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold are able to stop the British and are able to capture a 5000 man British Army under the command of General Johnny Burgoyne. The Victory at Saratoga is considered a major turning point because New England remain reachable and other Countries France and Spain join the American Revolution on the American side. The Victory at Saratoga is considered a major turning point because New England remain reachable and other Countries France and Spain join the American Revolution on the American side.