1. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
American History I - Unit 2

2. Review
Why is the Battle of Saratoga considered a “turning point” in the war in favor of the colonists?
How did the winter at Valley Forge affect the morale of the Continental Army?
By the summer of 1778, why is morale high in the Continental Army?
What is inflation?

3. Review
Why is the Battle of Saratoga considered a “turning point” in the war in favor of the colonists?
Continental Army started to win more victories
British started to doubt their strength
***France decided to help Americans***
How did the winter at Valley Forge affect the morale of the Continental Army?
Lowered morale due to cold winter and many deaths (cold, lack of food, spreading of diseases)
By the summer of 1778, why is morale high in the Continental Army?
Higher moral thanks to foreign aid: Von Steuben’s training, Lafayette’s help, and $/supplies from France
What is inflation?
A decline in the value of money causing rising prices
Can happen when there is too much money is in circulation

4. 2.4 – WINNING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
AH1.H.1.1 Chronological thinking – structure of a historical narrative, interpreting the data in time lines.
AH1.H.2.1 Analyze key political, economic, and social turning points in American History using historical thinking, focusing on causes and effects.
AH1.H.4.2 Analyze the economic issues and conflicts that impacted the US through Reconstruction and the compromises that resulted.
AH1.H.6.1 Explain how national economic and political interests helped set the direction of US foreign policy.
AH1.H.7.1 Understand the impact of war, focusing on political implications.

5. Battles Move South Oct. 1777 – Battle of Saratoga
American VICTORY! (turning point of war)
British humiliated
Summer 1778 – British move south
Rally Loyalist support
Reclaim former colonies in the southern region
Regroup and fight their way back to the north

6. Early British Success in the South
Late 1778 – British captured Savannah, GA
May 1780 – British Generals Clinton and Cornwallis sailed from NY to Charles Town → British captured Charles Town, SC.
Clinton returned to NY
Cornwallis stayed in the south to conquer SC and NC
1780 – Redcoats advanced, with help from African American slaves → Set up forts all over SC
Forced to retreat at the NC border, Patriots attacked constantly

7. Nathaniel Greene and Cowpens
Washington sent General Nathaniel Greene to drive Cornwallis back into SC.
Jan Battle of Cowpens
American victory under Greene!
British expected fewer Continental troops and were forced to surrender

8. Battle of Guilford Court House
March 1781 – Battle of Guilford Court House
Cornwallis angered over loss at Cowpens
British victory (technically)… 93 killed, 400 wounded, 26 missing
Greene had weakened the British and slowed their southern advances but needed back-up
Wrote a letter to Marquis de Lafayette asking for help
“I wish you to march your force southward by Alexandria and Fredericksburg to Richmond [Virginia]… It is impossible for the Southern States with all the exertions they can make under the many disadvantages they labour to save themselves.
Subsistence is very difficult to be got and therefore it is necessary that the best of troops should be employed… Every exertion should be made for the salvation of the Southern States for on them depend the liberty of the Northern.”
- Nathaniel Greene in a letter to Lafayette

9. Cornwallis Moves into Virginia
Cornwallis and troops got rest and gathered reinforcements in Wilmington and then continued to Virginia
Failed to defeat Lafayette and von Steuben’s troops in VA
Settled with 7,500 men at Yorktown
Peninsula between the James and York rivers
Near Jamestown
Planned to capture Virginia and move north

10. British Surrender at Yorktown
1780 – French troops arrived in…
New England (NY, MA)
the West Indies (Caribbean)
Lafayette suggests that the French fleets meet up with the American troops to surround Yorktown and Cornwallis

11. Guns and Ships
At this point in the war, Hamilton has left Washington’s side - frustrated he won’t give him command of his own troops.
Lafayette suggests surrounding the British troops at Yorktown using Washington’s Continental Army that is with some French troops under the command of General Rochambeau.
Lafayette also urges Washington to ask Hamilton to return to his side.

12. British Surrender at Yorktown
Following Lafayette’s plan, American and French troops surrounded Cornwallis
Troops on land around town
Ships in James River to block a water-escape
American/French troops bombarded and shelled Yorktown for 3 weeks → SIEGE!

13. British Surrender at Yorktown
October 19, 1781 – British OFFICIALLY SURRENDER!
Continental Army - Washington, French General Rochambeau, and troops
British Army – General O’Hara (representing Cornwallis) and Redcoats
O’Hara tried to hand his sword to Rochambeau, who directed him to Washington
Washington, insulted by Cornwallis’ absence, directed O’Hara to his 2nd in command

14. Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)
This song details the plan leading up to the Battle of Yorktown, the battle itself, and the subsequent British surrender.
American legend has it that the British troops marched out of Yorktown to the British ballad “The World Turned Upside Down” - a song traditionally played at solemn occasions.

15. Peace Talks in Paris
1782 –Meeting of representatives from America, England, France, and Spain
America – wants full independence and all former British land in the former colonies
England – didn’t want to give full American independence
France – supported American independence, but feared the US becoming more powerful
Spain – wants land between Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi (formerly British land reserved for Natives)

16. Peace Talks in Paris
European nations thought the American representatives would be easily manipulated → WRONG!
American representatives
Benjamin Franklin
John Adams
John Jay
Demanded the England recognize American independence before any talks went further.

17. Treaty of Paris (1783)
Officially ended the Revolutionary War and signaled American independence
Confirmed American independence
American boundaries
Atlantic Ocean – Mississippi River
Canada border – Florida border
Future problems…DIDN’T specify when British troops would leave forts in America

18. Impact on American Society
During the war, class lines were blurred as EVERYONE joined the war effort
Rise of egalitarianism – a belief in the equality of all people
1780s – only applied to white males
No new rights to women
Blacks still enslaved, free blacks faced discrimination, poverty, and violence
Native American communities destroyed since English colonization began, increased concern as western lands now belonged to Americans

19. Final Thoughts… American independence – The United States of America!!
Uh… what next?
What type of government will America have?
What laws will be made?
Who should participate in the government?
Americans now face the difficult task of starting a new nation…
What Comes Next? - King George’s response to America’s freedom