The Revolutionary War 1775 1783 American AdvantagesBritish Advantages

The Revolutionary War 1775 - 1783

American Advantages/British Advantages AMERICA • Had a cause to fight for • Superior military leaders • Fighting a defensive war • Fighting on familiar territory BRITAIN • Larger, bettertrained & equipped military • Best navy in world • Well established & stable government • Better financial resources

American & British Disadvantages AMERICA BRITAIN • Inexperienced and ill • Logistics – 3, 000 mi. -equipped military supply lines across Atlantic • No real navy • Ignorance of the • No real govt. terrain organization • Less local support • Few financial reserves • Superior attitude • Outdated battle tactics & strategies

The Northern Campaign, 1775 -1777 1. Focuses on Boston, NYC, & Philadelphia • Belief that if major cities fall, the colonists must surrender • British forced to evacuate Boston but quickly defeat colonial forces in NYC, and New Jersey • Turning Point: Battle of Saratoga, 1777 • British army defeated by combined forces of Continental Army in upstate NY • Convinced France that U. S. might be able to win; made alliance with Americans

Result of Saratoga: French Alliance A. U. S. now had access to 1. 2. 3. 4. A navy Financial backing French military supplies French military expertise Gen. Rochambeau Admiral de Grasse Marquis de Lafayette

The Southern Campaign, 1778 -1783 A. British military changes its strategy and its commander: Cornwallis replaces Howe • Plan is to concentrate on southern states (expected more Loyalist support) and quickly bring them back under control • Then turn attention to New England colonies who will be isolated

Battle of Yorktown A. After smashing victories in the Carolinas, Cornwallis decides to winter his troops in Yorktown Virginia during 1780 -’ 81 • A peninsula with only one escape route • Washington recognizes British vulnerability & plans surprise attack on Cornwallis

The War Concludes • Adm. De Grasse of French Navy will move in to block British escape by sea at same time as Generals Washington & Rochambeau force march their troops from NY, to block escape by land • Washington catches Cornwallis in a trap & forces his surrender in 1781 • The real fighting was over now as British citizens demanded an end to this costly conflict • Official peace not made until 1783, with Paris Peace Treaty.

Treaty of Paris, 1783 The U. S. after Treaty of Paris, 1783 • Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and James Monroe at Treaty negotiations • The Treaty ended the American Revolution and U. S. recognized as independent nation