1. The American Revolution

2. Patriots
American colonists who were determined to fight the British until American independence was won

3. Loyalists (Tories) Colonists who chose to side with the British
Did not think unfair taxes were a good reason for rebellion
Strongest loyalist support was in the Carolinas and Georgia
Weakest loyalist support was in New England
Many fled the colonies for England

4. Neutral
Taking no side in a conflict

5. British Advantages Most powerful Navy in the world
Huge population advantage
More experienced military
Plenty of financial support

6. American Advantages Fighting on land they knew very well
Were eager to defend their land
British had to ship soldiers and supplies thousands of miles across the Atlantic Ocean
British depended heavily on mercenaries

7. Mercenaries
Hired soldiers

10. Hessians What the Americans called the British mercenaries.
Name comes from the region in Germany most of them were from
Main goal for winning the war was money

11. Recruit
Enlist

13. Margaret Corbin Followed husband when he joined the Continental Army.
Took his place on the battlefield when he was killed

15. Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley “Molly Pitcher”
Followed husband when he joined the Continental Army
Became known as “Molly Pitcher” for carrying water pitchers around the battlefield for soldiers

17. Deborah Sampson
Disguised herself as a man and joined the army to fight

19. Thomas Paine Wrote Common Sense prior to the war
The issue was freedom not taxes
Wrote The American Crisis early in the war
“These are the times that try men’s souls”
“The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph”

22. Nathan Hale Teacher from Connecticut
Hero at the battle of Long Island despite the American defeat
Spied on the British as a Dutch schoolteacher
Discovered by British and hung
Last words were “I only regret that I have one life to lose for my country”

24. African Americans in the War
Many fought with the British after being offered freedom to fight against the Patriots
General George Washington asked to have free African Americans enlisted
Southern states feared a revolt from armed African Americans because of their large slave population
Rhode Island was the first state to have an all African American regiment
Every state eventually state enlisted African Americans except South Carolina

25. Christmas Night 1776
British soldiers were taking a break from fighting because of the harsh winter.
Washington led his men across an icy Delaware River and attacked a group of Hessian soldiers.
Americans used momentum from this victory to defeat the British again at Princeton

27. Benedict Arnold
Led the Americans to victory in Albany

29. Saratoga
Americans, led by General Horatio Gates, defeated the British, led by General John Burgoyne, forcing them to surrender
Showed European powers that the Americans might win and led to support from other nations who hated Britain

32. France Originally only gave money secretly to the Americans.
After the Battle of Saratoga they officially supported the Americans.
Began to send money as well as equipment to assist the Americans.

35. Spain
Did not officially recognize America as a nation until after the Revolutionary War.
Sent troops to fight the British
Forced the British to pay attention to two enemies.
Defeated the British in the Mississippi Valley and along the Gulf of Mexico

37. Netherlands
Declared war with Britain
Loaned money to the Americans

39. Valley Forge
Winter camp for George Washington and the Continental Army in the winter of 1778
Army suffered because of a lack of food, clothing, blankets, shelter and shoes
Washington’s wife Martha helped by making clothes for the troops and caring for the sick
Greatest challenge was keeping the army together
Many men deserted the army

40. Deserted
To leave without permission

42. Marquis de Lafayette
French nobleman who joined the Continental Army after reading the Declaration of Independence
Spent the winter at Valley Forge with the Continental Army
Became a trusted advisor to General Washington

45. Friedrich von Steuben
Former German officer who helped turn the Continental Army into an effective fighting unit.
Drilled the Continental Army in proper military technique during the winter at Valley Forge

46. Causes of French-American Alliance
Longstanding hostility between Britain and France
Conflict between Britain and France during the French and Indian War
Victory at Saratoga boosts French confidence in Patriots

47. Effects of French-American Alliance
France signed a treaty of alliance with the United States in 1778
France lends money to the Continental Congress
France sends soldiers and ships to help American forces
Americans win indepedence

48. Inflation A continuous rise in the price of goods and services
Caused Congress to stop issuing paper money

51. Francis Marion The British called him the Swamp Fox
Led a small group of expert fighters from South Carolina
They lived off the land and continually surprised attack the British
Him and his men hid in the swamps between attacks

52. Guerrilla Warfare
Hit and run technique of fighting

53. Native Americans Mostly fought against the Americans
Felt the British were less of a threat to their land

54. Blockade
to cut off an area by means of troops or warships to stop supplies or people from coming in or going out
British blockade prevented supplies and reinforcements from reaching the Continental Army

55. Privateers Privately owned warships
Captured several British ships to assist the weak American Navy

57. John Paul Jones Successful American privateer commander
Famously said “I have not yet begun to fight.”
Captured the British ship Serapis despite his ship the Bonhomme Richard’s severe damage
The Bonhomme Richard sank shortly after the battle

58. Charleston, South Carolina
Location of the worst defeat for Americans during the American Revolution
British captured thousands of prisoners

61. General Charles Cornwallis
Commanded the British forces in the south
Won the Battle of Camden
Surrendered at the Battle of Yorktown after being defeated by American and French forces

62. General Horatio Gates Commanded American forces in the south
Lost the battle of Camden due to several bad decisions

64. Guerilla Warfare
a hit and run technique used in fighting a war, using small bands of warriors using tactics such as sudden ambushes

66. Comte De Rochambeau
Led a unit of French soldiers, who were originally trapped by the British in Newport, Rhode Island, to Yorktown to assist General Washington and his men.

68. Francois Joseph De Grasse
French admiral who prevented the British from escaping at the battle of Yorktown

69. Battle of Yorktown
Battle that finally showed the British that the war was to costly.

71. Treaty of Paris
Officially ended the American Revolutionary War on September 3, 1783
American representatives at the meetings were Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay
Britain promised to withdraw all troops from American territory
Great Britain officially recognized the United States as a nation

72. Pension
A fixed amount of money paid at regular intervals for past services.

73. Newburgh Conspiracy
Potential revolt by the soldiers of the Continental Army over Congress’ original refusal to pay their pension.

75. George Washington
Resigned his command of the Continental Army on December 4, 1783
Returned to his home in Mount Vernon in time for Christmas