Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
1
The War for Independence
Chapter 4 Section 4 The War for Independence
2
I. Introduction George Washington and Continental Army forced Britain out of Boston Some thought war wouldn’t last long Longest war in U.S. history until Vietnam
3
II. The Opposing Sides The British forces
Tough, well-trained, well-armed British navy ruled the seas Had more help from Natives Had to hire mercenaries to fight 30,000 German Hessians
4
II. The Opposing Sides The Patriot forces Fighting for freedom
Fighting on own land Size of colonies was advantage Excellent leadership Defensive war
5
III. Fighting the War A month after signing of D.O.I., war turned against Americans British captured New York Americans started to desert Washington needed victory to boost morale December 23, 1776-Washington gathered his troops to listen to Thomas Paine’s The Crisis The words inspired the soldiers
6
III. Fighting the War Washington needed a victory to boost morale
Christmas night 1776, crossed Delaware River into New Jersey Attacked Hessians at Trenton, caught them by surprise Only 5 American casualties Captured Princeton ten days later Gave Americans encouragement to continue fighting
7
Battle of Princeton 1777 Encountering a British brigade led by Col. Mawhood outside of Princeton, the patriot vanguard was forced back by a charge lead by the 17th Regiment of Foot. At the height of the fighting Washington with his staff galloped onto the field and rallied the retreating troops.
8
Battle of Trenton 1776
9
IV. Turning Point of the War
Britain came up with a new plan for victory 3 armies meet at Albany Separate New England from southern colonies Armies got bogged down, never met up British general John Burgoyne’s army marched south from Canada Americans win battle at Saratoga Forced to surrender to Americans
10
IV. Turning Point of the War
Britain came up with a new plan for victory Battle of Saratoga a turning point Proved to French that Americans would win Ensured French help King Louis XVI signed treaty with America
11
V. Victory for the Americans
Next few months difficult for Washington British held Philadelphia, spent winter of Washington’s troops at Valley Forge Poorly clothed and fed Hundred died from starvation and disease Over 2,000 deserted
12
V. Victory for the Americans
At Valley Forge, the American Forces were trained by a German General named Von Steuben. They learned a great deal about orderly movements and drilled for months.
13
V. Victory for the Americans
War in the South 1778-British shifted war to the south Believed they had more loyalist support there Captured Savannah and Charlestown Burned houses and barns, killed livestock, destroyed crops British controlled cities, but Patriots strong in rural areas Hit and run attacks Supply lines
14
V. Victory for the Americans
War in the South British General Cornwallis suffered series of defeats Decided to rest his army at Yorktown, Virginia Confident British navy could help at any time French ships blocked British navy from helping British army trapped
15
V. Victory for the Americans
Final victory-Yorktown American and French forces pounded British positions Captured 2 British posts-Oct. 14, 1781 Could now fire directly on British camp Oct. 19, 1781-British surrender Last real battle of the war
16
V. Victory for the Americans
Treaty of Paris Signed Sep. 3,1783 Britain agreed to recognize U.S. as independent nation U.S. gained all land to Mississippi River and south to Florida
17
VI. Contributions to Victory
Women in the Revolution Daughters of Liberty Took men’s place in farms and in businesses Made arms and ammunition 20,000 marched with troops Doctors, nurses, cooks, spies
18
VI. Contributions to Victory
The Role of Native Americans Most Natives tried to stay neutral Much fighting took place on or near Native lands Hispanics in the Revolution Spain made financial contributions to Revolution Fought in Michigan and St. Louis Bernardo de Galvez Spanish governor of Louisiana Drove British from Mississippi Valley Galveston, TX
19
VI. Contributions to Victory
African Americans and the war At first, army did not let blacks fight British offered freedom to any black who ran away and fought with them Washington then accepted free blacks 5,000 served in army, 2,000 in navy Became hard for many to accept slavery in nation founded on freedom
Similar presentations
