1. Fighting the Revolutionary War
Chapter 1 Section 2

2. Focus Question
What events and/or ideas lead to the American Revolution?
(you don’t have to list all of them)

3. Mr. Washington Goes to War
Born leader → charismatic
Bad temper
No military genius
Terrible soldier in the British army
Greatest military gift was in organizing retreats
Redeemed himself in the Revolutionary War

4. Rag-Tag Army Lack of discipline
Camp followers: soldiers’ families who tagged along with military
No uniforms
Lack of food
Little pay available
Terrible weather → Valley Forge

5. Colonial Military Tactics
Couldn’t win an open-field, European-style battle
Trick was to be a moving target
“We fight, get beat, and fight again”
Similar to guerilla tactics

6. Unlikely Allies The French come to the rescue
Perfect opportunity for revenge against the British
La Fayette: Leader of French troops

7. Colonial Ups and Downs Colonial disadvantages Colonial advantages
Fighting an experienced enemy
British navy was the most powerful in the world
Colonists were a rag-tag army
Colonial advantages
Fighting on their own territory
Familiar with British military tactics
Slave population fought for the Patriots
Help from allies

8. British Ups and Downs British advantages British disadvantages
Well-equipped army
World’s most powerful navy
Very experienced military
British disadvantages
Not familiar with the territory
Couldn’t commit all its forces to putting down the rebellion
Didn’t take their enemies seriously

9. And the Winner Is…
Yorktown 1781: British General Cornwallis surrenders
Treaty of Paris 1783
British officially admit defeat
British officially recognize the United States as a separate, independent country