Political Advantages Americans British Fighting to defend independence

Political Advantages Americans British • Fighting to defend independence • Democracy • Help of France • Well organized, respected gov’t. • #1 power in the world

Economic Advantages Americans British • Short supply lines • Live off the land • Benefits of empire – huge trading network • Many industries to create supplies

Social Advantages Americans British • Identity as “American” defined • Women help out…gain respect • Loyalists help out

Military Advantages American British • Guerilla warfare • “Home field” advantage • Goal – Independence • Good leaders – Washington • Help from others – Lafayette, von Steuben • #1 military power in world • Well-trained, welldisciplined troops,

Disadvantages for Americans? • MONEY!!! (limited) • SUPPLIES (low) • TRAINING (poor) Disadvantages for British? • DISTANCE (England 2, 000 miles away – difficult to communicate and coordinate. • FOREIGN MERCENARIES (Fighting for a pay check, not their own homes/freedom)

The Importance of. . . • BATTLE OF SARATOGA – turning point of the war. . . American victory encourages the French to support our cause! • VALLEY FORGE – American forces survive to fight again; better trained and organized army • Yorktown, VA – British General Corwallis “cornered” by French fleet off coast. . . surrenders to Washington 1781

Treaty of Paris - 1783 • Great Britain recognized independence of U. S. • Set boundaries – Atlantic Ocean to Mississippi River • Granted generous fishing rights to U. S. in the Grand Banks • Great Britain promised to leave American soil • U. S. promised to repay Loyalists for property lost during the Revolution

Effects • U. S. officially recognized as independent nation • Type of New Government: – Republic based on representative democracy – 3 branches of government, *balancing power* • Executive (president), Legislative (congress), Judicial (supreme court) – Separation of powers (no one gets too much power) – Power with the people, they VOTE