The American Revolution: 1775-1783

1. The American Revolution: 1775-1783

2. A. The Two Sides

4. Military Strategies The Americans The British • Attrition [the Brits had a long supply line]. • Guerilla tactics  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. • Blockade the ports to prevent the flow of goods and supplies from an ally. • “Divide and Conquer”  use the Loyalists.

5. Washington’s Headaches • Congress couldn’t tax to raise money for the Continental Army. • Poor training [until the arrival of Baron von Steuben].

6. Tories (Loyalists) – those that remained loyal to England (20% of population) Patriots – those fighting for independence (45% of population) Tories vs. Patriots

7. Viewed as the enemy by Patriots 80,000 were forced to flee Land was confiscated and sold to finance the war 50,000 fought with the British The Loyalist Exodus

8. B. Phase I: 1775 - 1776 The Northern Campaign

9. Continental Army need to defend Boston from Br. Strategic advantage was being on a hill The British suffered over 40% casualties Ran out of gunpowder & had to abandon Seen as a Victory for the Americans Bunker Hill (June, 1775)

10. 18,000 German mercenary troops hired by King George III Startled Americans b/c they were known as “butchers” Last straw – Dec of Independence signed The Hessians

11. C. Phase Two: The Middle Colonies 1776-1778

12. Initially successful for Britain British take NYC and push Continental Army into New Jersey

13. Washington needs a victory December 26, 1776 attacks & wins at Trenton One week later, wins at Princeton Not militarily important, but boosts morale Battles of Trenton & Princeton

14. Most important battle of the Revolution American victory ensures the aid of the French Battle of Saratoga (Oct 1777) “Turning Point” of the War

15. Winter quarters of the Continental Army Harsh conditions 2,500 of 10,000 die Great training due to the help of General Von Steuben Valley Forge (PA)Winter 1777-1778

16. French helping since Dec. of Independence signed Bitter about F & I War loss Supply weapons Marquis de Lafayette had been serving in the army After Saratoga an alliance is formed between the two & French will send military aid 1779: Spain & the Dutch will join against Britain Franco-American Alliance1778

17. D. Phase Three: The South 1778-1781

18. Britain’s “Southern Strategy” • Britain thought that there were more Loyalists in the South • Southern resources were more valuable/worth preserving. • Mistake: they had promised to free slaves • The British win a number of small victories, but cannot pacify the countryside

19. With assistance of the French, Washington attacks Cornwallis at Yorktown Cornwallis is forced to surrender The Battle of Yorktown (1781) Count de Rochambeau AdmiralDe Grasse

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

21. 1782 King George III sues for peace Loss of Cornwallis Growing costs Multiple enemies Increasing unpopularity in England Will meet in Paris to discuss peace treaty End of the War

22. E. The Treaty of Paris (1783)

23. Britain Independence Land- east of the MS river, south of the Great Lakes, and north of Florida The United States Stop persecution of Loyalists Recommend to states the return of Loyalist property Pay off debts to Britain Concessions

24. North America After theTreaty of Paris, 1783

25. Women in the war: Women managed farms & businesses while men in war Others traveled with the army Brought out the idea of “Republican Motherhood” Responsible for instilling democratic values in men Changes in American Society Abigail Adams