1. The War for Independence
Objectives:
Trace the war through the winter at Valley Forge.
Examine civilian life during the Revolution.
Trace the war in the South through the siege of Yorktown.
Recognize the symbolic value of the Revolution.

2. The War Begins Loyalists and Patriots
Loyalists – Those who opposed independence and remained loyal to the British king
African Americans
Promised freedom
Native Americans
Saw colonists as a threat to their lands
Patriots – Supporters of independence
Early Victories and Defeats
As part of a plan to stop the rebellion by isolating New England, the British quickly seized New York City
Desperate for a victory to hold his army together, Washington risked everything on one bold move
December 25th, 1776 – Washington launches a surprise attack across the Delaware at Trenton
“Victory or death”
Defeated a garrison of Hessian soldiers quartered there
Hessians – German mercenaries hired by the British

3. American Strengths and Weaknesses
Familiarity of home ground
Leadership of George Washington and other officers
Inspiring cause of independence
Weaknesses
Most soldiers were untrained and undisciplined
Shortage of food and ammunition
Inferior navy
No central government to enforce wartime policies

4. British Strengths and Weaknesses
Strong, well trained army and navy
Strong central government with available funds
Support from colonial Loyalists and Native Americans
Weaknesses
Large distance separating Britain from battlefields
Troops unfamiliar with terrain
Weak military leaders
Sympathy of certain British politicians for the American cause

5. The War Begins (cont.) Saratoga and Valley Forge
Battle of Saratoga (1777) – American troops surround and defeat British General John Burgoyne
Turning point in the war
Bolstered France’s belief that the Americans could win the war
French sign an alliance with the Americans in 1778
Winter at Valley Forge

6. Life During the Revolution
Impact of War on Civilians
Women had to fill the roles held by men off at war
Managed farms and businesses
Some women traveled with their husbands where they assisted the army in noncombatant roles
Molly Pitcher
African Americans
Many escaped to freedom during the chaos of the war
Others served in the Continental Army

7. Winning the War
During their winter at Valley Forge, the Continental Army underwent a radical transformation
With the assistance of European military leaders, the Continental Army became a disciplined fighting force
Friedrich von Steuben
Marquis de Lafayette
The British Surrender at Yorktown
Treaty of Paris (1783) – Confirmed US independence and set the boundaries of the new nation

8. The War Becomes a Symbol of Liberty
During the war, social distinctions had begun to blur
Egalitarianism – A belief in the equality of all people
Ability and virtue defined one’s worth, not wealth or family background
In reality, this new concept only applied to white males
Women gained no new political rights
Most African Americans remained enslaved
Those who were free still faced discrimination