1. The Revolutionary War

2. American Strengths and Weaknesses
Fighting for independence
George Washington inspires his men to fight
Know the land and terrain
France and Spain aide the colonies with weapons, supplies and their navy

3. American Strengths and Weaknesses
Weren’t a trained military
Common folk, not military
Short on money, weapons and supplies to fight a war

4. British Strengths and Weaknesses
Experienced professional military
Outnumbered the Continental Army
Well supplied with equipment and weapons

5. British Strengths and Weaknesses
Not fighting for a cause
Officers are careless and poor leaders
Cross the Atlantic Ocean to send men and supplies for the war
Not fighting on known land
The support at home is rather weak

6. The Strategy of War American Colonies Britain
Keep the Colonial Army together
Washington sought to stretch the British army away from supply lines
Harass the enemy, defeat the British in a major battle
Get allies to help win!
Britain
Seeks to destroy the Colonial Army
Regain control of the colonies by region
Take the fight to the Colonial Army using European war tactics
Use loyalists support against the colonies

7. African Americans in the War
Sought to use the Revolution as a way to end slavery.
5,000 black men served in the Continental Army, and hundreds more served on the sea.
When the war ended, most African Americans were denied the promises of liberty that were written in the Declaration.

8. Native Americans in the War
It was ironic to Native Americans that the colonists and British were waging a war over land that the indigenous people considered theirs.
Native Americans remained uninvolved in the conflict between the British and colonists, but were eventually pulled into the fight.
As one Iroquois stated, “It is true I am tall and strong but I will reserve my strength to strike those who injure me.”

9. Women during in the War
Women, whose husbands went off to war, had to assume the responsibilities that had formerly belonged to men.
Jobs such as farming, bookkeeping and trade became woman’s work while the men were off battling for independence.

10. Key Battles of the American Revolution

11. Battle of Bunker Hill
American troops are on the high ground of Breed's Hill (the actual location) and are attacked by 2000 British soldiers who storm up the hill.
The Americans are ordered not to fire until they can see "the whites of their eyes."
The Americans fought off two attacks by the British.
A third attack, however, succeeds as the Americans run out of ammunition and are left only with bayonets and stones to defend themselves.
The British succeed in taking the hill, but at a loss of half their force.

14. Battle of Trenton Christmas Day, December 1776
Washington's army was in pitiful condition, and growing weaker. Troops were deserting, it was bitter cold and they lacked food, shoes and blankets.
Heard from a scout that the Hessians, (German mercenaries) were spending the evening relaxing and enjoying food and wine.
Washington decided to cross at night and surprise them in the morning.

15. The famous crossing: Washington and his army cross the Delaware River at night to attack the Hessian mercenaries at Trenton.

16. *Improved morale of Washington’s army. They needed a victory!

17. The Battle of Saratoga, August- October 1777
The British are harassed by colonial guerilla forces and surrender
Saratoga is important because it is a major defeat for the British and shows Europe that the colonies may be able to win the war

18. Battle of Saratoga
In Paris the victory is celebrated as if it had been a French victory.
France recognizes the independence of America and enters the war on the side of the patriots.
Money and supplies flowed to the American cause, providing Washington's Continental Army support to win.

19. The Battle of Yorktown, October 1781
The French help the Continental Army with men, weapons and warships
The Americans and the French corner the British on a small peninsula and bombard them with cannon fire.
The British surrender and end the American Revolution.

20. The End is near !!- Yorktown
August 1, British Gen. Cornwallis and his 10,000 tired soldiers seek rest at the port of Yorktown, Virginia.
August 14, Gen. Washington abruptly changes plans in favor of Yorktown after receiving a letter indicating a 29-ship French fleet with 3000 soldiers is now heading for the Chesapeake Bay near Cornwallis.
Gen. Washington and Gen. Rochambeau rush their best troops south to Virginia to destroy the British position in Yorktown.

21. Battle of Yorktown

22. The British surrender!!!

23. The Treaty of Paris, 1783 THE WAR ENDS WITH THESE CONDITIONS
“free, sovereign and independent states”
British must remove all troops from forts
Boundary for United States is the Mississippi
Loyalist would have rights and property protected
Captured slaves must be returned to owners