The American The American RevolutionRevolution

Thoughts of war…Thoughts of war…

► British thought the British thought the Patriots would be Patriots would be defeated easilydefeated easily

► Patriots thought Patriots thought the British would the British would give up after a few give up after a few major defeatsmajor defeats

► Both were wrongBoth were wrong

““David and Goliath”David and Goliath”► British: strongest navy in the British: strongest navy in the

world, experience well-trained world, experience well-trained army and unlimited wealth and army and unlimited wealth and 8 million people8 million people

► Patriots: unskilled army, lacked Patriots: unskilled army, lacked battle experience, weapons battle experience, weapons and ammo were in short and ammo were in short supply, half the population, supply, half the population, volunteer army that stayed for volunteer army that stayed for short periods of time, not all short periods of time, not all colonists supported the fight colonists supported the fight for independencefor independence

► Patriots had a big upper hand Patriots had a big upper hand in fighting on their own turf in fighting on their own turf and British used mercenary and British used mercenary soldierssoldiers

Loyalist vs. PatriotsLoyalist vs. Patriots

► Patriots supported the Patriots supported the cause of independencecause of independence

► Loyalists were Loyalists were supporters of Britain – supporters of Britain – about 1 in 5 or 20% still about 1 in 5 or 20% still supported the crownsupported the crown

► Southern colonies Southern colonies ( Carolinas and Georgia) ( Carolinas and Georgia) had more loyalists than had more loyalists than the New England the New England coloniescolonies

► Families were divided Families were divided Ben Franklin – patriotBen Franklin – patriot William Franklin - William Franklin -

loyalistloyalist

Patriot AdvantagesPatriot Advantages

► Fighting on own land Fighting on own land and fought with and fought with determination – determination – protect what is yoursprotect what is yours

► Fighting to be free, Fighting to be free, had a greater stake in had a greater stake in winning the warwinning the war

► Led by General George Led by General George Washington, he was Washington, he was courageous, honest, courageous, honest, and very determinedand very determined

Raising an Raising an ArmyArmy

► Second Continental Second Continental Congress set up an army Congress set up an army to fight the Britishto fight the British

► Initially soldiers enlisted Initially soldiers enlisted for a period of one year, for a period of one year, but this changed to three but this changed to three years as the war dragged years as the war dragged onon

► Some women followed Some women followed husbands to battlehusbands to battle Margaret CorbinMargaret Corbin Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley

– called “Moll of the Pitcher” – called “Moll of the Pitcher” – she carried water to – she carried water to soldiers in a pitchersoldiers in a pitcher

Deborah Sampson – Deborah Sampson – brothers and friends went to brothers and friends went to war and so she disguised war and so she disguised herself as a boy and enlistedherself as a boy and enlisted

Battle of Long IslandBattle of Long Island► Continental Army was Continental Army was

defeated they were defeated they were outmaneuvered and outmaneuvered and outnumberedoutnumbered

► Patriots were running out of Patriots were running out of suppliessupplies

► Nathan Hale – teacher who Nathan Hale – teacher who volunteered to spy on the volunteered to spy on the BritishBritish

► Disguised as a Dutch school Disguised as a Dutch school teacher, he was able to teacher, he was able to overhear British strategiesoverhear British strategies

► He was caught and hangedHe was caught and hanged► Stated before he died, “I Stated before he died, “I

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

African Americans Join the African Americans Join the FightFight

► Washington requested Washington requested more troops—African more troops—African Americans troopsAmericans troops

► Southern States did not Southern States did not want them to serve, felt want them to serve, felt that giving guns to African that giving guns to African Americans was too riskyAmericans was too risky

► More soldiers were needed More soldiers were needed and so states ignored lawand so states ignored law

► Rhode Island formed first Rhode Island formed first African American regiment African American regiment in 1778in 1778

► All states, except South All states, except South Carolina allowed them to Carolina allowed them to serveserve

New Jersey VictoryNew Jersey Victory► British were settled in British were settled in

New YorkNew York► Winter of 1776/1777, Winter of 1776/1777,

British has ceased British has ceased fighting for winterfighting for winter

► Washington planned Washington planned sneak attack on Trenton sneak attack on Trenton for Christmas night 1776for Christmas night 1776

► Crossed the Delaware Crossed the Delaware River and surprised the River and surprised the British at Trenton, NJ the British at Trenton, NJ the next daynext day

► Lord Charles Cornwallis Lord Charles Cornwallis was sent to capture was sent to capture Washington, didn’t catch Washington, didn’t catch himhim

► Significant event in warSignificant event in war

British Battle PlanBritish Battle Plan

► Separate colonies by Separate colonies by taking Albany, NY and taking Albany, NY and the Hudson Riverthe Hudson River

► Three pronged attack: Three pronged attack: ►Gen. Burgoyne would Gen. Burgoyne would

come south from Canadacome south from Canada► Lt. Col. St. Leger would Lt. Col. St. Leger would

come east from Lake come east from Lake OntarioOntario

►Gen. Howe would come Gen. Howe would come north from New York Citynorth from New York City

► Philadelphia captured in Philadelphia captured in September 1777September 1777

Plan Plan slowed…slowed…

► Lt. Col. St. Leger was Lt. Col. St. Leger was slowed from Lake Ontario slowed from Lake Ontario by Benedict Arnoldby Benedict Arnold

►Gen. Burgoyne’s army Gen. Burgoyne’s army was slowed after was slowed after capturing Fort capturing Fort TiconderogaTiconderoga►Burgoyne traveled with 30 Burgoyne traveled with 30

wagons full of luxury wagons full of luxury goods.goods.

►Colonists cut down trees Colonists cut down trees along the way to slow their along the way to slow their progressprogress

►Green Mountain Boys Green Mountain Boys attack and slow attack and slow Burgoyne and he retreats Burgoyne and he retreats to Saratoga, NYto Saratoga, NY

Battle of Battle of SaratogaSaratoga

► General Burgoyne was General Burgoyne was surrounded at Saratoga surrounded at Saratoga (reinforcements did not (reinforcements did not show up)show up)

► Gen. Horatio Gates Gen. Horatio Gates blocked him from moving blocked him from moving southsouth

► October 17, 1777, October 17, 1777, Burgoyne surrendered Burgoyne surrendered

► 5,700 British soldiers 5,700 British soldiers handed their weapons to handed their weapons to the Patriotsthe Patriots

► Burgoyne resigned and Burgoyne resigned and was replaced by Gen. was replaced by Gen. Henry ClintonHenry Clinton

Turning point…Turning point…

► France agrees to France agrees to alliance with America alliance with America after the victory at after the victory at SaratogaSaratoga

► Turning point in the Turning point in the war because war because Americans began to be Americans began to be supported by European supported by European nationsnations

European NationsEuropean Nations► France took the side of France took the side of

America in 1778 – France America in 1778 – France declared war on Britain & declared war on Britain & sent money, troops and sent money, troops and equipment to Patriots – equipment to Patriots – French Navy was very helpfulFrench Navy was very helpful

► France and Spain despised France and Spain despised BritainBritain

► Spain declared war on Britain Spain declared war on Britain in 1779 (did not recognize in 1779 (did not recognize America as a country until America as a country until after the Revolutionary War)after the Revolutionary War)

► Netherlands went to war Netherlands went to war against the Britishagainst the British

► Dutch lent moneyDutch lent money

Help from SpainHelp from Spain► Bernardo de Galvez – Bernardo de Galvez –

Spanish governor of Spanish governor of Louisiana, raised an Louisiana, raised an army to assist Patriotsarmy to assist Patriots

► Army forced British Army forced British troops from Baton troops from Baton Rouge and NatchezRouge and Natchez

► Captured Mobile, AL in Captured Mobile, AL in 17801780

► Captured Pensacola, Captured Pensacola, FL in 1781FL in 1781

►Diverted British TroopsDiverted British Troops

Winter at Valley Forge – 1777-Winter at Valley Forge – 1777-17781778► British were set up in British were set up in

PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia► Americans were 20 miles Americans were 20 miles

away at Valley Forgeaway at Valley Forge► Americans lacked: decent Americans lacked: decent

food, clothing, shelter and food, clothing, shelter and medicinemedicine

► Americans battled: cold, Americans battled: cold, snow, wind, and mudsnow, wind, and mud

► Spirits rose with the Spirits rose with the announcement that the announcement that the French were joining an French were joining an alliance with Americaalliance with America

► Martha Washington made Martha Washington made clothes and cared for sickclothes and cared for sick

Europeans at WarEuropeans at War► Marquis de La Fayette: Frenchmen Marquis de La Fayette: Frenchmen

who loved the idea of declaring who loved the idea of declaring independenceindependence

► Became a trusted aide to Became a trusted aide to WashingtonWashington

► Casimir Pulaski: died in 1779 fighting Casimir Pulaski: died in 1779 fighting in the south (Polish)in the south (Polish)

► Saved George Washington’s life onceSaved George Washington’s life once► Reformed the cavalry for the PatriotsReformed the cavalry for the Patriots► Thaddeus Kosciusko: military leader Thaddeus Kosciusko: military leader

and engineer from Polandand engineer from Poland► Friend of Thomas JeffersonFriend of Thomas Jefferson► Left his estate for the education of Left his estate for the education of

African American slaves that had African American slaves that had been freedbeen freed

Europeans at WarEuropeans at War► Friedrich von Steuben: former Friedrich von Steuben: former

German army officer; trained German army officer; trained American troops to have American troops to have military disciplinemilitary discipline

► Army still uses his training Army still uses his training ideas in the training of troopsideas in the training of troops

► Juan de Miralles: organized Juan de Miralles: organized money transfers from Spain, money transfers from Spain, Cuba and Mexico to help Cuba and Mexico to help PatriotsPatriots

► Befriended many Patriot Befriended many Patriot leaders and funded the causeleaders and funded the cause

Financial ProblemsFinancial Problems► SCC had no power to SCC had no power to

raise money through raise money through taxes = no way to fund taxes = no way to fund the warthe war

► Inflation: when more Inflation: when more money is needed to buy money is needed to buy basic goods basic goods

► Congress printed too Congress printed too much money and people much money and people did not use itdid not use it

► Thus, value of American Thus, value of American money was uselessmoney was useless

Life on the Home FrontLife on the Home Front► Women often were forced to run Women often were forced to run

the family farms why the men the family farms why the men were fighting in the warwere fighting in the war

► Ideals inspired by the American Ideals inspired by the American Revolution: Liberty and FreedomRevolution: Liberty and Freedom

► Judith Sargeant Murray: Judith Sargeant Murray: Women’s minds were as good as Women’s minds were as good as men’s, girls should be educatedmen’s, girls should be educated

► Abigail Adams: ran the family Abigail Adams: ran the family farm while husband was away at farm while husband was away at CongressCongress

► Told John Adams, he was Told John Adams, he was ungenerous to women and ungenerous to women and holding them down and back holding them down and back from progressfrom progress

► Betsy Ross: made the first Betsy Ross: made the first American flagAmerican flag

War Moves West & SouthWar Moves West & South

Native American FactorNative American Factor► Native Americans were Native Americans were

more hostile towards the more hostile towards the PatriotsPatriots

► Primary Reason: Patriots Primary Reason: Patriots wanted to push west and wanted to push west and disrupt Native American disrupt Native American way of lifeway of life

► Settlements west of Settlements west of Appalachians, SW New Appalachians, SW New York and Northern PA were York and Northern PA were raidedraided

► Joseph Brant – Mohawk Joseph Brant – Mohawk ChiefChief

► Henry Hamilton – British Henry Hamilton – British commander in Detroit – commander in Detroit – known as the “hair buyer”known as the “hair buyer”

Victory at VincennesVictory at Vincennes► Native Americans and Native Americans and

British were allied in British were allied in attacking western attacking western coloniescolonies

► Virginia militia, under Virginia militia, under the command of the command of George Rogers Clark George Rogers Clark sets out to stop these sets out to stop these attacksattacks

► Seized Kaskaskia and Seized Kaskaskia and Vincennes (1778)Vincennes (1778)

► Vincennes was re-Vincennes was re-captured by Henry captured by Henry Hamilton (British); Hamilton (British); February 1779 February 1779 Vincennes was Vincennes was captured again by captured again by Patriots and Henry Patriots and Henry Hamilton surrenderedHamilton surrendered

Naval BlockadeNaval Blockade

► Blockade: prevention Blockade: prevention of supplies from of supplies from reaching a certain reaching a certain destinationdestination

► 13 warships were built 13 warships were built by Second Continental by Second Continental CongressCongress

► Privateers: privately Privateers: privately owned merchant ships owned merchant ships equipped with equipped with weapons (highly weapons (highly successful against the successful against the British navy)British navy)

► Father of American Father of American Navy: Commodore Navy: Commodore John BarryJohn Barry

John Paul JonesJohn Paul Jones

► John Paul Jones – John Paul Jones – American Naval American Naval OfficerOfficer

► Raided British portsRaided British ports► Jones’ ship Jones’ ship

Bonhomme Richard Bonhomme Richard battled the British battled the British ship the ship the SerapisSerapis

► ““I have not yet begun I have not yet begun to fight”, to fight”, one of his one of his famous quotesfamous quotes

British Change StrategyBritish Change Strategy

► British realize the British realize the war is going to be war is going to be more difficultmore difficult

► Focus on the south Focus on the south where most of the where most of the loyalist livedloyalist lived

► Early on the Early on the loyalists were loyalists were defeated at defeated at Charleston, S.C.Charleston, S.C.

British Victories in SouthBritish Victories in South► British occupied most of British occupied most of

Georgia by 1778Georgia by 1778► General Clinton then turns General Clinton then turns

towards Charleston, S.C.towards Charleston, S.C.► Charleston was taken in Charleston was taken in

1780 (considered the worst 1780 (considered the worst defeat for the Patriots)defeat for the Patriots)

► General Charles Cornwallis General Charles Cornwallis is put in charge of southern is put in charge of southern troops for British after troops for British after General Henry Clinton went General Henry Clinton went back to New Yorkback to New York

General Cornwallis’ TroubleGeneral Cornwallis’ Trouble

► General Horatio Gates General Horatio Gates loses to Cornwallis at loses to Cornwallis at Camden, S.C. (Aug. Camden, S.C. (Aug. 1780)1780)

► Guerrilla Warfare: hit-Guerrilla Warfare: hit-and-run technique the and-run technique the Patriots used against the Patriots used against the BritishBritish

► This technique irritated This technique irritated the British and helped the British and helped bring about their demise bring about their demise in the southin the south

► Francis Marion “The Francis Marion “The Swamp Fox” – operated Swamp Fox” – operated out of swamps in S.C.out of swamps in S.C.

Help from SpainHelp from Spain► Spain helped supply George Spain helped supply George

Rogers Clark defeat the Rogers Clark defeat the British: Kaskaskia, Cahokia, British: Kaskaskia, Cahokia, and Vincennesand Vincennes

► Bernardo de Galvez loaned Bernardo de Galvez loaned money and opened New money and opened New Orleans to tradeOrleans to trade

► Tons of ammo and supplies Tons of ammo and supplies sent up Mississippi River for sent up Mississippi River for George Rogers Clark and George Rogers Clark and other Patriots to use in other Patriots to use in battles with Britishbattles with British

Loss of the SouthLoss of the South► Patriots defeat British Patriots defeat British

at Kings Mountain at Kings Mountain (Sept. 1780)(Sept. 1780)

► NathanaelNathanael Greene is Greene is put in charge of put in charge of Colonial Army in SouthColonial Army in South

► Splits the army in two Splits the army in two and defeats British at and defeats British at Cowpens, S.C.Cowpens, S.C.

► British retreat to British retreat to Yorktown, VAYorktown, VA

French ArriveFrench Arrive

► Arrive in July 1780 off Arrive in July 1780 off Newport, Rhode IslandNewport, Rhode Island

► More than 5,000 troopsMore than 5,000 troops► Led by Comte de Led by Comte de

RochambeauRochambeau► French troops were trapped French troops were trapped

by British soldiers, but the by British soldiers, but the fact they arrived meant so fact they arrived meant so muchmuch

► George Washington was George Washington was waiting for the French north of waiting for the French north of New York City, waiting to New York City, waiting to attack the British thereattack the British there

Battle of YorktownBattle of Yorktown► Washington was waiting Washington was waiting

north of New York City north of New York City waiting for 2waiting for 2ndnd French fleet French fleet

► When the fleet did not When the fleet did not arrive and changed arrive and changed directions towards directions towards Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Bay, Washington focuses on Washington focuses on Yorktown (VA)Yorktown (VA)

► Lafayette, Washington, Lafayette, Washington, Rochambeau moved toward Rochambeau moved toward Yorktown on land, Francois Yorktown on land, Francois de Grasse came by seade Grasse came by sea

► Yorktown was under the Yorktown was under the leadership of Cornwallis leadership of Cornwallis (British)(British)

Yorktown attacked!Yorktown attacked!

►Washington, Washington, Rochambeau and Rochambeau and Lafayette from the Lafayette from the Western front move Western front move towards Virginiatowards Virginia

► These men would These men would meet the French fleet meet the French fleet under Admiral de under Admiral de Grasse at YorktownGrasse at Yorktown

Siege of YorktownSiege of Yorktown► Plan worked as 18,000 Plan worked as 18,000

French-American troops French-American troops surrounded Yorktownsurrounded Yorktown

► Cornwallis’ troops of Cornwallis’ troops of 8,000 were confused 8,000 were confused and no help could and no help could come from Clinton at come from Clinton at New YorkNew York

► Starting October 11, Starting October 11, 1781, Yorktown is 1781, Yorktown is bombardedbombarded

► Supplies begins to run Supplies begins to run out and on October 19, out and on October 19, British troops surrenderBritish troops surrender

Treaty of ParisTreaty of Paris► War did not stop with War did not stop with

Yorktown as British still had Yorktown as British still had Savannah, Charleston and Savannah, Charleston and New YorkNew York

► March 1782, King George March 1782, King George III begins to move towards III begins to move towards granting America granting America independenceindependence

► April 1782, Ben Franklin, April 1782, Ben Franklin, John Jay and John Adams John Jay and John Adams go to Paris, France to go to Paris, France to discuss a treaty with Great discuss a treaty with Great BritainBritain

Treaty of Treaty of ParisParis

► Signed on September 3, Signed on September 3, 17831783► British Terms for AmericaBritish Terms for America

► Britain recognized America Britain recognized America as an independent nationas an independent nation

► British troops were to be British troops were to be withdrawnwithdrawn

► Britain gave America the Britain gave America the right to fish in the waters off right to fish in the waters off the coast of Canadathe coast of Canada► American Terms for BritainAmerican Terms for Britain

► Congress would advise Congress would advise states to return to the states to return to the Loyalists any properties that Loyalists any properties that had been seized during the had been seized during the warwar

► British merchants could British merchants could collect debts that Americans collect debts that Americans owed themowed them

The Newburgh ConspiracyThe Newburgh Conspiracy► General Washington held his General Washington held his

troops in Newburgh, NY after the troops in Newburgh, NY after the British surrendered. British surrendered.

► The Second Continental The Second Continental Congress refused to fund the Congress refused to fund the soldier’s pensions and failed to soldier’s pensions and failed to provide them with other pay.provide them with other pay.

► In March 1783, the soldiers sent In March 1783, the soldiers sent a letter to Congress said if their a letter to Congress said if their demands weren’t met, the demands weren’t met, the soldiers would use force against soldiers would use force against Congress.Congress.

► Washington urged the soldiers to Washington urged the soldiers to be patient and Congress to meet be patient and Congress to meet the just demands of the soldiers.the just demands of the soldiers.

Washington ResignsWashington Resigns

► George Washington George Washington resigned as the resigned as the commander of the commander of the army on December 3, army on December 3, 1783.1783.

► Washington planned to Washington planned to return to Mount Vernon return to Mount Vernon and live a quiet life. He and live a quiet life. He believed his time in the believed his time in the public life had ended, public life had ended, silly George.silly George.

Why did America Win?Why did America Win?► The Patriots were able to fight on their own land, the The Patriots were able to fight on their own land, the

British had to bring troops and supplies from British had to bring troops and supplies from thousands of miles away.thousands of miles away.

► The British were very dependent on the sea and The British were very dependent on the sea and when the French blocked their way, they lost a when the French blocked their way, they lost a valuable resource.valuable resource.

► Guerrilla Warfare – the Patriots knew the land better Guerrilla Warfare – the Patriots knew the land better than the British.than the British.

► The French – the supplies, soldiers and monetary The French – the supplies, soldiers and monetary loans helped the Patriots win the war.loans helped the Patriots win the war.

► The Spanish – their help in the gulf region was huge.The Spanish – their help in the gulf region was huge.► The determination of the people to live freely was the The determination of the people to live freely was the

biggest factor in the victory.biggest factor in the victory.

American Revolution American Revolution InfluencesInfluences

The American The American Revolution gave hope Revolution gave hope

to the people of France to the people of France and helped spark the and helped spark the

French RevolutionFrench Revolution..

Enslaved Africans in Enslaved Africans in Haiti fought back and Haiti fought back and won independence.won independence.