The American Revolution How did the colonists win

The American Revolution How did the colonists win the American Revolution?

�Independence has been declared �Revolution fought from 1775 -1783 ◦ Revolution: overthrow of one government and its replacement with another ◦ Strategies-overall plans �Each side had its own strategy ◦ Each had strengths and weaknesses The American Revolution 13. 1 Introduction

�At the beginning ◦ No American army ◦ Just militias in each colony �Part time soldiers � 1775: George Washington army to lead a new ◦ Continental Army made of volunteers �A person who performs a service for free ◦ Enlisted for a year at a time �Agreed to serve in an army or a navy �Returned to care for family The American Revolution 13. 2 The Continental Army

� 8, 000 to 24, 000 were in the army at any given time ◦ Included African Americans and women �Problems with the ◦ Little money �Pay for soldiers �Buy supplies ◦ No training Continental Army The American Revolution 13. 2 The Continental Army

�Forming an Army ◦ Washington trained his men �Obey orders �Fight together �Encouraged them �Colonial Navy ◦ Small ◦ Trade and fishing ships ◦ Little cannons The American Revolution 13. 2 The Continental Army

�Over confident ◦ Planning to win from the beginning ◦ Strongest military in the world �Military: soldiers and armed forces ◦ Navy � 270 warships controlled the seas � 200 more built during the war ◦ Army �Paid soldiers (full-time job) ◦ Experienced fighters ◦ Very disciplined The American Revolution 13. 3 The British Army

�Perks of being British ◦ Parliament had money �Each soldier had a uniform, musket, short sword and bayonet � 48, 000 soldiers ◦ 30, 000 mercenaries �A soldier hired to fight for a foreign army ◦ Loyalists fought with British ◦ American Indians joined British �British had protected their land The American Revolution 13. 3 The British Army

�Strong but…. ◦ Far from home �Supplies, military orders, soldiers all had to travel ◦ Could take 3 months ◦ Get supplies ashore �Attacked by privateers ◦ Small, fast ships ◦ Given permission to attack by congress ◦ Kept the goods they captured ◦ French attacked when they joined the war The American Revolution 13. 4 The British Army Is Far From Home

� Continental Army has easy access to supplies ◦ Stole from British ◦ Local citizens would supply food � Women played a role ◦ Supported continental army �Took care of farms and businesses while men were fighting �Brought supplies to camp �Made uniforms �spied � British had no support ◦ Surrounded by people who hated them ◦ Lost motivation The American Revolution 13. 4 The British Army Is Far From Home

� Continental Advantage ◦ Stronger motivation/desire to win �Defending individual rights �Fighting for a better future �Goals worth dying for � Valley Forge, PA ◦ Cold winter of 1777 -1778 ◦ Washington’s troops were starving and freezing ◦ 2, 500 + men died ◦ DID NOT GIVE UP � British ◦ Fought because it was their job ◦ Parliament also worried about protecting its colonies from France and Spain ◦ Many did not want to pay for the war The American Revolution 13. 5 The Continental Army Is Motivated to Win

�British Negativity ◦ Fought because it was their job ◦ Parliament also worried about protecting its colonies from France and Spain ◦ Many did not want to pay for the war �Support for the British ◦ Loyalists ◦ Slaves ◦ American Indians The American Revolution 13. 5 The Continental Army Is Motivated to Win

�Different Strategies (played to strengths) ◦ British �Took the offense �Attack and control ◦ Continental �Took the defense �Protect themselves instead of destroy �British wanted a quick win ◦ Took control of Boston �Supposed “headquarters” �Independence fought for in all colonies The American Revolution 13. 6 Different War Strategies

�August 1776 ◦ Battle of Long Island gave the British control of NYC ◦ Washington moved to the countryside �Used new tactics (a planned action, such as a way of moving or using troops, aimed at reaching a certain goal) ◦ Quick attacks, quick retreats left British puzzled ◦ British tried to openly engage American troops �Washington sneaked away in the middle of the night ◦ Crossed the Delaware and attacked German Mercenaries at Trenton who were celebrating Christmas (Key Victory!) The American Revolution 13. 6 Different War Strategies

� 1777 British determined to force Washington into a face to face battle ◦ Took control of Philadelphia ◦ Washington, to protect his men, gave up Philadelphia �Moved to Valley Forge to train ◦ Good position to defend and protect Congress The American Revolution 13. 6 Different War Strategies

�Allies were needed for the Patriots to win the war ◦ 1776 Ben was sent to France �Got arms and monetary loans �Lafeyette and von Steuben The American Revolution 13. 7 The Continental Army Gains Allies

� The Turning Point of the War ◦ An event that leads to a dramatic change � Saratoga 1777 ◦ 9, 000 British from Canada, stopped by 2, 000 Vermont and New Hampshire soldiers ◦ Left Burgoyne stranded at Saratoga �Surrendered to General Gates � Led to support from the French ◦ Spain supported the French ◦ Dutch joined in with money � Britain focused on the south with strong support from loyalists ◦ Fell is 1781 when Spain took Pensacola The American Revolution 13. 7 The Continental Army Gains Allies

�Britain attacked Virginia ◦ Cut off by the French ◦ Attacked for 2 weeks at Yorktown �Cornwallis surrendered �Battle battle of Yorktown was the last major The American Revolution 13. 7 The Continental Army Gains Allies

�British were ready to end ◦ All countries met in Paris the war �Fighting continued ◦ On the seas and on land ◦ British still controlled major cities �Treaty of Paris 1783 ◦ Great Britain recognized the USA as independent ◦ Gave the USA lots of land ◦ British kept Canada ◦ Spain took Florida The American Revolution 13. 8 The Treaty of Paris 1783

�United States promised to restore ◦ Did not follow through often ◦ Loyalist and African Americans fled �Patriots won! �Forever know as Americans The American Revolution 13. 8 The Treaty of Paris 1783 loyalists

�Rachel Well’s story �Soldier’s raided towns ◦ Stole money, food, clothing, firewood ◦ Burned homes �Short supplies and high prices �Malnutrition led to disease The American Revolution Reading Further: The War

�Women ◦ Spied ◦ War nurses �Greater risk of dying than soldiers ◦ fundraisers ◦ Writers gained support �Mercy Otis Warren �Katherine Goddard ◦ Some fought in battles �Anna Lane �Deborah Sampson �Mary Ludwig Hays Mc. Cauley (Molly Pitcher) The American Revolution Reading Further: The War

�African Americans ◦ 1776 500, 000 slaves �Many took Great Britain’s offer of freedom ◦ British would turn away slaves �Some starved �Caught and returned ◦ Some fought for Patriots �Initially colonists did not want to arm slaves ◦ Eventually faded �Pretended to serve one side (spy for the other) The American Revolution Reading Further: The War

�American Indians ◦ Saw both sides as threats ◦ Both sides wanted American Indian support �Some chose sides ◦ Many stayed out of it �Hoping the two would wear each other out ◦ Difficult to stay neutral �Got caught in fighting �Couldn’t be trusted �Punished harshly for helping the other �Raided for supplies �Patriot victory led to westward movement The American Revolution Reading Further: The War