Coach Mc Kinney Struggling Toward Saratoga Big Idea

Coach Mc. Kinney Struggling Toward Saratoga

Big Idea �After a series of setbacks, American forces win at Saratoga and survive. �What does the colonists have to do to win? Not lose

Colonists STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES � Home Ground � Leadership of George � Lack of training � Shortage of food and Washington � Inspiring Cause of Independence supplies � Inferior Navy � No Central Government

British STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES � Strongest military in the � Large distance from home � Troops unfamiliar with world � Strong government and funds � Support of Native Americans and Loyalists terrain � Exhausted from other wars

The War Moves to the Middle Stages �Defeat in New York British decide to stop rebellion by isolating New England ▪ 32, 000 British soldiers take New York Many of Washington’s recruits killed; retreat to Pennsylvania

The War Moves to the Middle States �Battle of Trenton Christmas 1776, Washington crosses Delaware River into New Jersey ▪ Washington surprises the hung over soldiers killing 30 and taking 918 prisoners Eight days later, Americans win Battle of Princeton against British

The Fight For Philadelphia �Summer of 1777 General Howe beats Washington at Brandywine, PA What is the significance of this? Allows British to take US capital Philadelphia ▪ Continental Congress leaves

Victory At Saratoga �British hoped to combine units to isolate New England �However, General Gates surrounds their unit before they can combine Forces this British unit to surrender to General Gates ▪ Huge victory for Continental Army �Significance of this? : French now believed the US could win ▪ They send troops to help colonists

War Moves to the Middle Stages �Winter at Valley Forge Site of Continental Army’s winter camp 1777 -78 Of 10, 000 soldiers/ 2, 000 die of cold and hunger �Civilians at War Women manage homes or business Some women follow army to cook, nurse, and fight Thousands of African Americans flee for freedom ▪ Some fight Most Native Americans stay out of the fighting