Chapter 6 1 The American Revolution 1776 1783

Chapter 6 -1 The American Revolution 1776 – 1783 Section 1: The Early Years of the War

The Opposing Sides British advantages: • Strong navy • Experienced, well-trained army • Wealthy • Larger population: 8 million in England 2. 5 million in United States British disadvantages: • Faraway land • Soldiers & supplies had to be shipped from England.

The Opposing Sides American advantages: • Familiar with the land • have a personal stake • George Washington was their leader. American disadvantages: • • Lack regular army & navy Lack military experience Small supply of weapons & ammunition Not everyone was for the war. Some were still loyal to England. Many people were nuetral – taking neither side

Declaration of Independence • Written by Thomas Jefferson • Took 2 weeks to write • 5 parts: – Preamble – Introduction (explanation of why breaking away) – Natural Rights – rights you are born with that cannot be taken away (life, liberty, property) – List of Grievances – complaints against the king – Dissolving of Bonds (Declaring Independence) – Signatures – 56 signatures – risking their lives

6 -2 Notes – A Critical Time

British Plan for Victory • The plan was to take control of Albany, New York then take control of the Hudson River. This would separate the New England colonies and the Middle colonies. • However, before going to Albany, the British captured the American capital of Philadelphia

Battle of Saratoga October 17, 1777 • British General Burgoyne was in Saratoga, New York waiting for more British soldiers to arrive before attacking Albany. • Americans arrived before the soldiers had arrived in the colonies. They had 3 times more soldiers than the British • General Burgoyne surrenders to the Patriots. • Americans win! • 5700 British soldiers gave up their weapons to the Americans • After this terrible loss, General William Howe resigns from the British army and General Henry Clinton becomes the new general in charge. • Turning point of the war – French decide to join the war at this point because it looks like the Patriots have a chance of winning.

The War Continues Gaining Allies - The victory at Saratoga lifted the spirits of many Americans and encouraged France to form an alliance with America in 1778. - Then in 1779, Spain declared war on Great Britain and Spanish governor of Louisiana Bernardo de Galvez raised an army that forced British troops out of areas in Louisiana. - While waiting for the French troops, George Washington set up camp at Valley Forge - Very cold winter, little clothing, shelter, or food

Help from Overseas • Marquis de Lafayette - French – Became an aide to George Washington – Helped train the soldiers and gave military suggestions • Friedrich von Steuben - German – Drilled Patriot troops – Taught military discipline • Juan de Miralles – Spain – Urged Spain, Cuba, Mexico to send financial aid

Winter at Valley Forge • While the British were 20 miles east in Philadelphia, the Americans were stuck in Valley Forge for the winter – Terrible suffering: no decent food, clothing, or shelter, lack of blankets, shoes, shirts

Winter at Valley Forge (cont’d) • George Washington’s biggest challenge: keeping the Continental Army motivated and together – Many men deserted – left without permission, the army – Some officers resigned – The army was falling apart – 2500 men died of illness – George Washington gave several speeches to the soldiers in hopes of keeping them motivated to stay in the army

Financial Problems • Getting $ to finance the war was a major problem – Continental Congress had no power to raise money through taxes – Congress printed millions of dollars worth of paper money • Quickly lost its value because the amount of paper bills grew faster than the supply of gold and silver backing them. – Led to inflation – took more and more money to buy the same amount of goods

African Americans Join the Fight • George Washington asks Congress to enlist free African Americans – Whites did not want African Americans to have access to weapons – Many people in the south feared a revolt by African Americans. – It was banned for African Americans to fight in the war. – By the end of the war, all states except South Carolina had enlisted African Americans in the War – 5, 000 joined as Patriot soldiers

Women in the Revolution • Margaret Corbin – went with her husband; were Patriots • Molly Pitcher – carried water pitchers out to the soldiers • Deborah Simpson – disguised herself as a boy; were Patriots • The idea of freedom caused many women to question their place in society and many Americans if slavery was right or not.

Life on the Home Front • Judith Sargeant Murray – argued women and men should receive as good of an education as men. Considered to be a radical idea, at the time. • Abigail Adams – stood up for women’s rights and even questioned her own husband, John Adams, who was a member of the 2 nd Continental Congress.

Section 4: The War is Won Victory at Yorktown • In 1780, George Washington camped north of New York City waiting to attack Henry Clinton’s army. He had to wait a year until he could attack because he was waiting on the French to arrive. • Change in Plans – August 1781 – Washington learned the French would be arriving in Virginia instead of New York – He did not want Clinton to know he was not going to attack so he had to sneak out of New York City – The French fleet, headed by General Rochambeau, Washington’s men, and Lafayette’s troops would all meet at Yorktown and attack Cornwallis’s army.

Siege at Yorktown • By the end of September 1781, the American and French armies had 14, 000 troops trapping Cornwallis’s 7, 500 British and Hession troops at Yorktown • On October 9 th, the Americans and French began to bombard Yorktown • British supplies began to run low, and many soldiers were wounded or sick. It was a hopeless situation • On October 19, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered Independence • The fighting did not end with Yorktown, but the British realized, after the Patriot victory at Yorktown, that the war was too expensive to continue • Both sides sent delegates to Paris to work out a peace treaty. – Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay were sent to represent the United States – Treaty of Paris was ratified, or approved, on September 3, 1783 • Great Britain recognized the states as an independent nation • Now the new nation extended from Mississippi River to the Atlantic Ocean and from Canada to Florida.

Washington’s Farewell • December 4 th, 1783 – said farewell to his troops and returned to his home in Mount Vernon The Influence of the American Revolution • In 1804, Saint Domingue (present-day Haiti), became the second nation in the Americas to receive independence from colonial rule. • They were inspired by talk of freedom • Enslaved Africans overtook Haiti