N: #20 Military Tactics A: None P: Get out a blank sheet of paper for notes and something to write with. Label your notes “American Revolution-Military Tactics and Strategies”

WARM-UP  Take 5 minutes and turn to a partner and share how you think a small military force like the Americans could possible be able to defeat the British?  What strategies or tactics could they use?  Be prepared to share..

MILITARY TACTICS Mr. Horohoe

BRITISH RESOURCES  Commanded by General William Howe  Great Britain consisted of 11 Million people  Massive Financial Resources  48,000 Soldiers in standing army  Highly trained  German Mercenaries  Loyalist support in the colonies

AMERICAN RESOURCES  Led by General George Washington  Population of 2.5 Million (20% Slaves)  Army of 18,000 military recruits  Very poorly trained  Not well supplied and lacked financial resources

TRADITIONAL WARFARE  Classical European tactics instructed the military to fight in lines to ensure that inaccurate muskets would hit a target.  The vast majority of the battles during the American Revolution were fought using this tactic.

GUERILLA WARFARE  Characterized by having small groups fight in ambush-style battles  These soldiers try to hit-and-run  These tactics are highly effective, but were used in few battles.

NAVAL WARFARE  At the start of the war there were over 400 British battleships arriving on the American coast.  These ships were loaded with thousands of soldiers in addition to 56 cannons on each side broadside. Including cannons on the bow and stern, the total could be as high as 124 cannons!!

WASHINGTON’S PLAN  George Washington hoped to defeat the British by stretching their supply lines further into the country making it hard for the British to stay supplied. He hoped to cut the supply lines and force the British to surrender.