What does the American Revolution mean to you? What do you think it has meant to oppressed people around the world? Do Now:

 In February 1778, American troops began an amazing transformation!  Fredrich von Steuben, a Prussian captain and talented drillmaster, volunteered his services to General Washington and went to work to “make regular soldiers out of country bums”  Taught soldiers to…  stand at attention  Execute field maneuvers  Fire and reload quickly  Wield bayonets European Allies Shift the Balance

 Around the same time, another military leader, Marquis de Lafayette, a French aristocrat also offered his assistance.  Lobbied for French reinforcements in 1779, and led a command in Virginia in the last years of the war! Lafayette & The French

 After the devastating defeat at Saratoga, the British changed their military strategy and in summer 1778 they began to shift their operations to the south. The British Move South Early British Success in the South  In 1778 a British expedition easily took Savannah, Georgia and by spring 1779, a royal governor once again commanded Georgia.  General Charles Cornwallis and General Henry Clinton, sailed south with 8,500 men.  In their greatest victory, they captured Charles Town, South Carolina and took 5,500 prisoners of war.

Early British Success in the South  For most of 1780, the redcoats advanced and were joined by thousands of African American who had escaped Patriot slavery!  When Cornwallis and his troops advanced into North Carolina, Patriot bands attacked them and cut British communication lines – the continuous harassment forced the redcoats to retreat to South Carolina.

Siege of Yorktown With your Do Now Partner, Please complete the Geography Application Worksheet!

Seeking Peace  Peace talks began in Paris in 1782  Representatives from four nations join the negotiations witch each nation looking out for its own interests.  US – wanted full independence  Britain – hoped to avoid giving America full independence  France – supported American independence but feared them becoming a major power.  Spain – was interested in acquiring the land between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River.

The Treaty of Paris, 1783 In September 1783, the delegates signed the Treaty of Paris, which confirmed US independence and set the boundaries of the new nation.

How did the war become a symbol of Liberty?