Chapter 6.1 ContinuedCh 6.2

Question of the day

Fighting in New York

General William Howe- is leading 32,000 British troops hoping the sheer size of his army would force the Patriots to give up

He was wrong

Long Island

20,000 Patriot troops are outnumbered almost 2:1

They suffer a serious defeat as the British have a more strategic line of attack

An American Icon

One patriot, Proves himself an American hero-

Nathan Hale, a spy and former teacher from Connecticut acts as a Dutch schoolteacher

His true identity as a Patriot Spy is revealed and he is hanged

“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country”

Low Point

Autumn of 1776; Patriot forces are low on supplies

No shoes, no socks, no blankets or jackets

Deserters- soldiers who run away, are at an all time high due to the horrific conditions

Thomas Paine

The Crisis- a pamphlet written to boost lagging spirits after the Continental Army’s defeat at Long Island

“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will in this crisis shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”

African Americans join the Fight

Washington wanted free African Americans to join the Army

Southern states banned that from happening due to their fear of a revolt

Some states ignored the ban-5,000 Africans joined the fight

Among them were Peter Salem and Lemuel Hayes- African American Revolutionary War Heroes who fought at Concord

Other African Americans fought to earn their freedom; some ran away from their slave owners to fight

British settle in Trenton and Princeton planning to rest

Washington sees an opportunity to catch them off guard

He crosses the icy Delaware on Christmas night 1776 and defeats the British troops

British plan for Victory:

A three-pronged attack- Burgoyne would lead troops south from

Canada- Leger would move west from Ontario- Howe would move north from New

York City

Essential Questions:

How was the victory at Saratoga a turning point in the war?

Who was Bernardo de Galvez? Why were there so many American

Deserters at Valley Forge? What caused inflation to occur?

The War Continues

The American victory at Saratoga marked a turning point in the war European nations finally realized that

America might actually win the war France and other British enemies began

to join the fight with the Americans

Gaining Allies

Ben Franklin went to Paris in 1777 to persuade the French to join the patriot cause

France agreed to give America money discretely, but did not agree to be an ally

In Feb 1778, France openly announced support for the US and worked out a trade agreement; Later that year, France, too, declared war on Britain

Other European nations joined b/c they also hated Britain

Spain declared war on Britain in 1779 although it didn’t recognize Americas independence

Bernardo de Galvez- Spanish governor of Louisiana lent guns and money to the Americans

The Netherlands also declared war and sent money as well

A Difficult Winter

Word of the French-American alliance did not reach the US until late Spring 1778

Britain was in Philadelphia, comfortable and warm

Washington and the troops were suffering terribly—no food, shelter or clothing—in Valley Forge, PA

It was most difficult to keep the Army together

Many men deserted the troops at Valley Forge due to the horrific conditions

As spring approached, conditions got better and the army once again grew

Help From Overseas

Marquis de Lafayette- French nobleman and soldier who had spent the winter at Valley Forge

He was inspired by America’s fight for independence and went to help, despite the restriction by King Louis XIV

Others came to help including Pilaski, von Steuben and de Miralles (page 173)

Money Problems

The Continental Congress had no way to raise taxes or collect money to fund the war

Instead they printed more money The money had little to no value

because there was no gold or silver reserves to back it—this is called inflation

Life on the Home Front

Women took over the traditionally male occupations

Abigail Adams managed a farm; Betsy Ross, sewed a flag for George Washington

Judith Sargeant Murry argued women should have as good as an education as men

Treatment of Loyalists

Loyalists acted as spys Many flrd back to England or to

Spanish Flordia Sometimes they were shunned by

their Patriot neighbors

The Question of Slavery

Many argued that all Americans should be free and independent

Others steered away from the question of equality

The issue of slavery remained unaddressed for many years

THE END