1. The War for American Independence
Chapter 7

2. You Say You Want a Revolution?
The newly formed United States of America declares independence July 4th, 1776
Just One SLIGHT Problem:
No other country recognizes us as being independent 

3. Divisions in Colonial America
Not all colonists were supportive of the war
Loyalists made up 20-30% of the population
40-45% were Patriots
25-40% were Pacifists and/or Neutral
Northern colonies were mostly Patriots
Southern states were Loyalist

4. Reasons for Remaining Loyal
AKA – “Tories”
Some held jobs by the crown or parliament
Some feared disorder without a king
Some were members of the Anglican Church, headed by the king
Some slaves were promised their freedom if they fought for the British

5. Reasons for Wanting American Independence
AKA – Patriots
No taxation without representation
Colonies were self-sustaining
Wanted religious freedom
Some just wanted more land out west

6. Reasons for Being a Pacifist or Neutral Party
Many such as the Quakers did not approve of war for religious reasons
Remaining neutral allowed for partnerships with both sides, and later with the victor (just like Switzerland has done many times!)

7. What About the Native Americans?
Native American populations were severely divided
Some tribes joined the British (fears of Americans taking more of their land)
Others joined the Americans (had previous positive partnerships)
Splits caused the largest war in Native American history!

8. #PatriotArmyProblems
Complied from state militias
Men were untrained, unskilled, and unprepared
Soldiers enlisted for only one year
Numbers never reached over 17,000 men

9. Off to a Lousy Start
American armies lost almost all early battles they fought
British were far better organized
Congress did not fund armies well enough for quality equipment, supplies, food or medical care.

10. #BritishArmyProblems
Many officers refused to fight against Americans
Soldiers enlisted for life
The war was expensive and unpopular in England
The British had to hire many mercenary soldiers from Germany called Hessians

11. George Washington’s Leadership
George Washington had fought in the French and Indian War and was a great military strategist
However, Americans lost almost every early battle in the war
Moral was very low in the fall/winter of 1776
Washington knew he needed a victory before the end of the year

12. Surprising Them in their Undies!
Battle of Trenton

13. Battle of Trenton December 1776
On the night of December 25, 1776, George Washington crossed the freezing Delaware River to attack Hessians.
The American troops surprised Hessian mercenary soldiers in an early morning raid and captured nearly 1,000 men. There were no American casualties
The battle was a major victory for the Americans, as morale was boosted and soon the army began to attract recruits as a result

14. Battle of Saratoga Hope for the Colonies!

15. Battle of Saratoga October 1777
October 7, 1777; Saratoga, New York
Turning point in the war – Victory at Saratoga
American General Horatio Gates faced off against British General John Burgoyne
(Benedict Arnold was the hero, but General Gates gets all the credit – remember this later on)
Ended a major British threat in the northern colonies

16. Why did the Battle of Saratoga take place?
The British plan was to cut the colonies in two along the New York state line like a snake– because when you cut off a snake’s head it dies!
This plan did not work because the colonists killed British generals and Native American guides, and by doing so did not follow eighteenth-century laws of war.

17. First American Victories!
The first two major battles that the colonists won occurred at Trenton and Saratoga.

18. Gaining New Allies!
Upon hearing of the American victory at Saratoga, European countries like France and Spain declared their recognition of the United States of America and fully supported their war for independence.
Help from France in particular was necessary in winning the war!