The American Revolutionary War American Strengths Patriotism Got

The American Revolutionary War

American Strengths Patriotism! Got help from overseas. The French, who hated the English, secretly helped the colonists. In the first 2 years of the war, 90% of the colonists’ gunpowder was supplied by Europe, mostly France. George Washington: experienced leader who inspired courage and confidence in his men.

American Weaknesses Continental Army was short of men. Small navy Few were trained for battle. Shortage of weapons and ammunition. Shortage of food. Uniforms were scarce. Congress could not get the money to support the army.

British Strengths Outnumbered the Continental Army Professionally trained soldiers King George III hired mercenaries (professional soldiers who fight for anyone who will pay them) particularly Hessians from Germany. Recruited Loyalists, African Americans, Native Americans. Well supplied in food, uniforms, weapons, artillery

British Weaknesses Slow supplies being sent all the way from Britain to the colonies. British taxpayers did not want to continue to pay for the war. Poor British leadership – did not have a good plan/strategy and had not been to America. King George III could not convince British people that defeating the colonists was important to Britain’s future. No English men were volunteering to support the cause.

Britain Almost Wins British General William Howe ordered the capture of New York. From there British troops could move north and destroy Massachusetts. To block the invasion, Washington hurried his army from Boston to New York. Congress finally declared the colonies to be “free and independent states. ” Washington read the Declaration of Independence to his men – this inspired them and they agreed that freedom was worth fighting for.

African Americans and the War Some African Americans joined the Patriot cause and fought at Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill. Early in the war, African Americans were not allowed in the Continental Army because Washington did not want the army to become a haven for runaway slaves. British promised freedom to all slaves who fought for the king. So slaves took up arms for the Loyalists. A shortage of volunteers forced Washington to allow African Americans into the Continental Army. Raised questions of slavery and freedom for African Americans and white colonists. Were all men created equal?

Defeat in New York Experienced Americans were no match for the British who had a greater number of men and more training. Washington would not give up, but in order to survive he had to retreat his army. In the following weeks, British forces chased the Americans out of New York, through New Jersey, and finally across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania. American troops struggled with lack of food, clothing,

Pep Talk and Victories By the end of 1776, the British thought the war was won. British General Howe offered to pardon all Patriot rebels who signed a statement promising to “remain in peaceful obedience” to the king. Thousands took him up on this offer. Washington knew something had to be done.

Pep Talk and Victories Washington read to his men from Thomas Paine’s new pamphlet, The Crisis: “These are times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from service of their country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. ” Washington then outlined his plan to attack Hessian troops in Trenton, New Jersey.

Victory in Trenton December 25, 1776, Washington’s army crossed the icy Delaware River in small boats. Washington gave his men the password for the long night’s march: “Victory or Death. ” The cold and ice froze the guns – troops were ordered to use bayonets. Americans caught the Hessians off-guard and took Trenton. News spread of their victory.

The Tide Begins to Turn The original strategy of both sides was to defeat the other in a big battle. Washington changed this strategy to keeping up defense to tire out the British. The British tried to take control of the Hudson River Valley in New York to cut off the American troops supplies. British commanders were in disagreement of a strategy. Washington kept playing hide-and-seek by moving his troops to attack and then disappear to confuse the British.

A Turning Point The Americans fought off the British at Saratoga Springs on the Hudson and the British were forced to surrender. Americans showed they could stand up to a British Army and win. France was ally to the United States and sent supplies, troops, money, weapons and warships. Spain also entered the war against the British.

Winter at Valley Forge Washington’s men were lacking food, supplies, warmth, proper clothing. To distract the men from their misery, Washington put Baron Friedrich von Steuben, a volunteer from Prussia, in charge of training the men. The “continual drill” worked wonders and the army grew stronger and more disciplined. The British were about to leave Philadelphia giving the newly trained Americans a chance to test their new skills.

Battle of Monmouth Washington’s army caught up with the British near Monmouth, New Jersey. Washington led his men in a battle an caused the British to slip across the Hudson River to safety New York City. The war was over in the north and moving towards the south.

The War Goes South After failing to conquer any state in the North, the British changed strategies by moving to the South believing there were thousands of Loyalists there to help them. Lord Conwallis was in command of the British army in the South. He soon learned he did not really control the Carolinas. Guerrillas (soldiers who were not part of a regular army) kept the American cause alive.

Trap at Yorktown Cornwallis moved his troops to Yorktown. France had already sent 5, 000 troops to join Washington’s army in New York. Washington learned another 3, 000 troops were arriving in 29 French warships. Washington used this information to set a trap for Cornwallis. Washington secretly moved his troops south to Virginia and joined the French to surround Yorktown with more than 16, 000 men.

Trap at Yorktown Cornwallis was not cut off from the British navy and hope of rescue by sea. A flag was raised to signal American and French gunners to open fire on Yorktown. The shelling went on for day until, “most of the guns in the enemy’s works were silenced. ” Cornwallis hoped for rescue by the British navy, but when no ships came, he agreed to surrender.

The War Ends When Lord North heard about Cornwallis’ defeat he repeated, “Oh God! It is all over!” The British public agreed, but months passed before King George was finally forced to accept defeat. Americans won the freedom to govern themselves and create their own future. Liberty came at a high price. 6, 200 Americans were killed in combat; 10, 000 died in camp of disease; 8, 500 died as British prisoners. As a proportion of the total population, more Americans died fighting in the Revolutionary War than in any other conflict. (Except for the Civil War when Americans fight each other. )

The Treaty of Paris In 1783, representatives of the United States and Britain signed a peace treaty in Paris. It had 3 important parts: Great Britain agreed to recognize the United States as an independent nation. Britain gave up its claims to all lands between the Atlantic Coast and the Mississippi River from Canada to Florida. The United States agreed to return all rights and property taken from Loyalists during the war. More than 80, 000 black and white Loyalists left the United States to settle in British Canada.

Influence of the American Revolution The Revolutionary War had a major impact in other parts of the world. In the 1800’s, it would help inspire revolts against European rule in South America. In Europe, it thrilled liberals who dreamed of creating their own democracies. The American example was especially influential in France, which would soon have its own revolution. One Frenchman wrote, “They (Americans) are the hope of the human race; they may well become its model.