1. Valley Forge
Treaty with France

2. Winter
Washington’s untrained army has trouble fighting the British.
Philadelphia and New York City are both held by the British.
Washington has only a few thousand men left.
With winter arriving, the
Americans settle into Valley
Forge in Pennsylvania camp.

3. A Miserable Winter Washington’s men are poorly supplied.
Little warm clothing, few shoes, little food, and poor shelter.
About 2,500 men
die from the cold,
hunger, and
smallpox.

4. “For Thanksgiving dinner, all we received was half a gill (four tablespoons) of rice and a tablespoon of vinegar.”
-- Joseph Martin, a soldier at Valley Forge

5. Training the Army
Washington seeks help from experienced military commanders.
The Americans receive training from Baron Friedrich von Steuben of Prussia.
Von Steuben turns
the Americans
into a strong
fighting force.

6. Alliance with France
Ben Franklin has convinced King Louis XVI to help the Americans.
The French send money, uniforms, weapons,
and ships.
France’s goal:
“The humiliation
of England.”