1. Turning Points of the War
Chapter 4 Section 3

2. Turning Points of the War
Britain’s population was nearly four times larger than the 2.5 million people in the colonies
At least a fifth of the colonists were Loyalists, another fifth were slaves
Many remained neutral
Turning Points of the War

3. In the beginning, Britain seemed to have great advantages
Britain produced more ships and ammunitions than colonists
Continental Congress struggled to pay for war
Lacked authority to collect taxes so printed paper money to pay their debts, causing huge inflation
British troops well-trained
The Opposing Sides

4. The British Make Mistakes
1775, British did not take Patriots seriously
Repeated mistake at Bunker Hill – William Howe ordered troops to march uphill in middle of day carrying huge packs
British suffered a bloodbath
Patriots eventually ran out of ammunition
Technically British won but Patriots won a psychological victory
After six months, Patriots forced British to abandon the city in March
The British Make Mistakes

5. The War Shifts to the Middle States
after British left Boston in 1776, decided to attack New York City and cut off New England from the rest of the colonies
Howe captured the city on Sept 15
Washington forced to retreat to NJ – on way back, crossing the Delaware River, he surprised a group of more than 1,000 mercenaries at the Battle of Trenton – raised spirit of troops
The War Shifts to the Middle States

6. Military Turning Points
Battle of Princeton – another victory
In fall of 1777, lost Philadelphia to Howe
Greatest Patriot victory yet, Saratoga
Military Turning Points

7. European Allies Enter the War
Victory at Saratoga encouraged France to recognize American independence and to enter the war
Feb – open alliance with French negotiated by Ben Franklin
War became more equal
1779 – Spain entered the war as a French ally – wanted to weaken the British
European Allies Enter the War

8. The Continental Army Faces Challenges
Valley Forge, lack of food, supplies, cold
June 1778 – British evacuated Philadelphia
Even though British had won most of the battles, they had little to show for it
The Continental Army Faces Challenges

9. The Frontier War colonists had started defying Proclamation of 1763
Native Americans Support the British
frontier war very destructive
British promised to keep the colonists in the East
Native Americans increased attacks on colonial settlement in 1777
The Frontier War

10. War’s End and Lasting Effects
Chapter 4 Section 4

11. Patriots Drive the British Back
British failed to control the southern countryside
In this area, war became civil war between Loyalists and Patriots
Caused many neutral people to become Patriots, blaming British for ruining their lives
General Cornwallis became frustrated
Early 1781, Continental Army inflicted heavy losses on the British
Cornwallis forced to march north to Virginia, right into a trap
Patriots Drive the British Back

12. The War Ends Patriots won the war
Four main factors contribute to their success
British made tactical mistakes
British misunderstood the political nature of the conflict
Patriots were highly motivated
Patriots received critical help from French
The War Ends

13. Cornwallis surrenders
Summer of 1781 – George Washington planned to trap British at Yorktown, VA
Needed French to prevent British from fleeing by sea
Trapped British navy
Cornwallis forced to surrender on Oct. 19, 1781
Cornwallis surrenders

14. The Treaty of Paris British lost 8,000 soldiers
Seven years of fighting
Treaty signed in 1783
Recognized American independence and granted generous boundaries to the U.S.
By making this peace with the British, strained relationship with French, who thought they should control the negotiations
The Treaty of Paris