1. A Critical Time

2.  Heavy fighting moved from New England to Middle colonies  The summer of 1776 saw a long series of battles and American retreats  Washington was pushed out of New York

3.  At the battle of Long Island he volunteered to be a spy  He was caught, tried, and condemned to death.  His last words were “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country”

4.  Thomas Paine had retreated with the troops through New Jersey  To raise morale, he wrote The Crisis  Paine urged Americans to support the army  Washington had it read to his troops and made plans for a bold attack

5.  On Christmas night, Washington led 2,400 men across the river in small boats  Early December 26, they attacked Trenton  The Americans captured 900 Hessians

6.  Washington then marched his men to Princeton where they drove the British away. 10 Days That Changed the World

7.  During 1777 the British planned on taking Albany, NY, and gain control of the Hudson River  John Burgoyne would lead troops south from Canada  Lieutenant Colonel Leger, would move east from Lake Ontario  General Howe would move north from New York City  They would all meet at Albany

8.  Burgoyne ran into trouble immediately  Howe captured Philadelphia (the American capital) forcing the Continental Congress to flee  Howe postponed his move north to Albany

9.  General Howe’s plan deteriorated leaving General Burgoyne and troops with no help  On Oct 17,1777 Burgoyne surrendered over 5700 British troops handed their weapons to Americans

10.  The Battle of Saratoga convinced the French to help the struggling Americans  In Feb 1778 France signed a treaty with the US  France, Spain, and the Netherlands went to war with GB

11.  Marquis De Lafayette, a French noble became a high ranking officer in Washington’s army  Baron von Streuben, a German baron, helped transform the Continental Army

12.  Patriots endured a horrible winter  Challenged Washington to keep the Continental Army together  Many men deserted (AWOL)  When people learned of the conditions women collected supplies and went to camp to tend sick and wounded  http://youtu.be/wtb9W3mPVtE