Revolutionary War part II Loyalists and Patriots Loyalists

Revolutionary War part II

Loyalists and Patriots • Loyalists- colonists should remain loyal to British • Patriots- supported independence and believed it was time to cut ties with British

Strengths and Weaknesses Colonies • Colonial Advantages • • Fighting on home ground Great leadership Fighting for rights and freedoms French alliance: Loans, navy • Colonial Disadvantages • Untrained soldiers • Food and ammo shortages • Weak and divided Central Government

Strengths and Weaknesses British • Advantages: • Well-trained/supplied army/navy • Wealth of resources • Strong central Government • Disadvantages • Fighting in unfamiliar hostile territory • Fighting way from resources • Troops indifferent, halfhearted support in Britain

British show strengths • Henry Knox captures British outposts near Boston, British head to NYC (1776) • Battle of Brooklyn (1776)- Gen. Washington attempts to defend NYC against 400 ships, and 32000 troops commanded by Gen. Howe • Washington fails and forced to retreat

Crossing the Delaware • Washington retreats to New Jersey to regroup • Battle of Trenton (1776)Washington crosses the Delaware R. attacking a group of Hessian mercenaries (German Soldiers for hire) • Minor victory for Continental Army

Fight for Philadelphia • Gen. Howe is successful in taking Philadelphia • Continental Congress is able to escape with the Continental Army • Makes camp at Valley Forge in 1777

Valley Forge • Washington enlists the help of Baron Fredrich von Steuben to train the troops • Battle of Saratoga- British Burgoyne launches an invasion of upstate NY

Saratoga • America forces ambush overstretched British army forcing them to surrender • Led by Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold • Turning point of war, inspires French to support America