What are the major military and political events of the American Revolution?

2. What are the major military and political events of the American Revolution? 1775-1783 What was the original British strategy? Why did it change to the South? Why was Saratoga a turning point? What is the significance of Valley Forge? Ms. Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua,NY Mrs. Jean Abdo, Olean High School, Olean, NY

3. On the Eve of the Revolution ? See handout(s)… comparison chart and questions!!!

4. Loyalist Strongholds

5. Washington’s Headaches • Only 1/3 of the colonists were in favor of a war for independence [the other third were Loyalists, and the final third were neutral]. • State/colony loyalties. • Congress couldn’t tax to raise money for the Continental Army. • Poor training (until the arrival of Baron von Steuben).

6. Exports & Imports: 1768-1783

7. Military Strategies The Americans The British • Attrition (the British had a long supply line). • Guerilla tactics (fight an insurgent war  you don’t have to win a battle, just wear the British down) • Make an alliance with one of Britain’s enemies. • Break the colonies in half by getting between the No. & the So. • Conventional War – capture major cities • Blockade the ports to prevent the flow of goods and supplies from an ally. • “Divide and Conquer”  use the Loyalists.

8. Phase I:The Northern Campaign[1775-1776]

9. Bunker Hill (June, 1775) The British suffered over 40% casualties.

10. Phase II: NY & PA[1777-1778]

11. New York City in Flames(1776)

12. Washington Crossing the Delaware Painted by Emanuel Leutze, 1851

13. Saratoga: “Turning Point” of the War? A modern-day re-enactment

14. Phase III:The Southern Strategy [1780-1781]

15. Britain’s “Southern Strategy” • Britain thought that there were more Loyalists in the South. • Southern resources were more valuable/worth preserving. • The British win a number of small victories, but cannot pacify the countryside [similar to U. S. failures in Vietnam!] • Good US General:Nathanial Greene

16. The Battle of Yorktown (1781) Count de Rochambeau AdmiralDe Grasse

17. Cornwallis’ Surrender at Yorktown: “The World Turned Upside Down!” Painted by John Trumbull, 1797

18. What did the Americans win?

19. North America After theTreaty of Paris, 1783

20. 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, Newfoundland • Great Britain promised to leave American soil • U.S. promised to repay Loyalists for property lost during the Revolution

21. Effects of the American Revolution

22. Political Effects • U.S. officially recognized as independent nation • 13 “united” states • State constitutions guaranteed basic rights and freedoms • Foundation – democracy • Expanded voting rights to adult white males (who owned property in order to hold office)

23. Economic Effects • End mercantilism and restrictions on trade • Need to industrialize • End system of primogeniture (inheritance to eldest son) • End trade preferences within the British empire (lost some of our best customers) • Inflation (“Continentals” – worthless currency) • Debt – to both foreign countries and American investors • High unemployment

24. Social Effects • Identity of “American”- individualism; diversity • No aristocratic titles of nobility • Social mobility... “American Dream” • Westward migration encouraged • Separation of church and state • Issues involving women’s rights and slavery continued • Increased importance of education to democracy

25. Why did the Americans win? “The Upset of the 18th Century”…see handout