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The Battles of the American Revolution Presenter: Dr. Kevin Gannon Grand View University
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War is the continuation of politics by other means. Carl von Clausewitz (1780-1831)
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The Military Context Styles of Warfare: European and American – Myth of “Indian style” and the militia – Ideological fears of a “standing army” The Structure of the Army – “Regulars” and militia – The problems of recruitment and supply
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The Balance Sheet British Advantages – largest army and navy in the western world – professional, trained, experienced forces – funding and logistics – the Loyalists American Advantages – ideological cohesion – motivating factors – home-field advantage – ability to play defense
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Phase 1: Before Independence An improvised war Boston & the insurgent countryside, 1774- 1775 Lexington & Concord, April 19 Turning Point: Bunker (Breed’s) Hill, June 17, 1775
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Phase 1: Before Independence Washington takes command – The difficulties of the army – Boston under siege – Henry Knox’s cannons The Evacuation of Boston On to New York – Howe’s logic
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Phase 2: The British Dictate Terms Independence and the Importance of the Continental Army The New York Campaign, August- November 1776 Retreat and Survive Turning Point: Trenton and Princeton (Dec. 26 and Jan. 3)
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Washington crossing the Delaware, Emanuel Leutze, 1851
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Phase 2: The British Dictate Terms “Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne and his strategy William Howe’s Freelancing Philadelphia Falls – Brandywine Creek, Sept. 11, 1777 – Germantown, Oct. 4, 1777
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General John Burgoyne
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General Horatio Gates
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Phase 2: The British Dictate Terms The Saratoga Campaign – Burgoyne’s mistakes – Jane McCrea, the Colonists, and the Iroquois Turning Point: Surrender at Saratoga – “Granny” Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold – Political and Diplomatic Ramifications
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Benedict Arnold
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Benedict Arnold at Bemis Heights [Saratoga Campaign]
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The Northern Theater after Saratoga Shaking up the British Command: Sir Henry Clinton replaces Howe The Continentals at Valley Forge – Washington’s real accomplishment “To starve the army at pleasure” Nathanael Greene as Quartermaster General – Von Steuben’s professionalization campaign Monmouth Courthouse, June 28, 1778 Dancing around New York City
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Phase 3: Britain Moves South The British Southern Strategy – Why the Carolinas? Early successes – Savannah captured, Dec. 1778 The overseas interregnum
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Phase 3: Britain Moves South American Nadir: The Siege and Fall of Charleston – Lincoln’s surrender, May 12, 1780 – Banastre “Bloody” Tarleton The Waxhaws massacre Cornwallis and the counterinsurgency: Civil War in Carolina The disastrous command of Horatio Gates – The debacle at Camden, August 16, 1780
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Charles, Lord Cornwallis
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Phase 3: Britain Moves South Partisan Warfare – Loyalist militia vs. Patriot militia and the “over-the-mountain-men” – Thomas Sumter, Francis Marion Nathanael Greene takes command Turning Point: King’s Mountain, October 17, 1780
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General Nathanael Greene
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Phase 3: Britain Moves South Cowpens, January 17, 1781 – Greene defies conventional wisdom – Daniel Morgan solves the militia problem The Race to the Dan – Thaddeus Kosciuszko – Cornwallis burns his chances
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General Daniel Morgan
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Phase 4: Endgame Guilford Court House, March 15, 1781 Cornwallis moves to Yorktown-and waits Washington moves South-reluctantly – Rochambeau and Lafayette Eutaw Springs (SC), September 8, 1781 – The final collapse of the southern strategy
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Washington & Rochambeau
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Phase 4: Endgame The siege and battle of Yorktown – Cornwallis surrenders, October 19, 1781 The last battles of the Revolutionary War – Would you believe Cuddalore?
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Cuddalore The Revolution’s last battle
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Conclusions The Revolutionary War as a civil war – Remembering the losers The importance of international assistance Britain’s Vietnam? – Assessing the tactical outcome The legacy of the battlefield: the Revolutionary War and the American Revolution
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