The American Revolutionary War (1775-1781)

1. The American Revolutionary War(1775-1781)

2. British Advantages Over the Americans • Brits had greater numbers of troops. • 48,000 British soldiers + 30,000 Hessians • Americans had no standing army. • Brits had an organized navy. • Brits were used to American soil. • The Brits had no European wars going on at this time. • About 1/3 of the people in America were loyal Tories

3. Issues for the British • Logistics • Would population go for a long war? • No new taxes – however, that would come with war • Many said good riddance to the colonies

4. Organization of American Military Effort • Washington chosen to lead. Why? • Good commander • He’s from Virginia • Colonial militias provide foundation • Many were French-Indian War vets. • Asked men to enlist for 1 yr terms.

5. Outbreak of War - 1775 • Lexington/Concord: April, 1775 • Ft. Ticonderoga: May 1775 • Bunker Hill: June,1775 • Quebec: Dec, 1775

6. War in 1776 • Boston abandoned, March 1776 • British troops first arrive June, 1776 • New York is captured by British, Aug- Sept 1776 • Plan was to split the colonies – control the Hudson River • Warm water port (didn’t freeze in winter) • Nathan Hale, Sept 1776 • By late 1776, Washington’s army went from 23,000 men to 7,000 • American victory at Trenton, Dec 1776

7. Delaware Crossing

8. War in 1777 –the 3 Pronged Attack • 3 British armies • Howe – NYC – north to Albany • St. Leger – Montreal - SW to Lake Ontario then east to Albany • Burgoyne – Montreal – South to Albany • Cut off New England

9. Results of 3 Pronged Attack • What happened • Howe attacks Philadelphia • St. Leger was defeated at Oriskany • Burgoyne defeated at Saratoga, Oct 1777 • Turning Point of the War • Why?

10. Treaties with French – Spring 1778 • Treaty of Amity and Commerce • French recognize American Independence • Establish trade ties • Treaty of Alliance • Established a military alliance • Neither France nor America would negotiate a separate peace treaty with the Brits. • France declared war – June, 1778.

11. Valley Forge • Dec 1777 – June 1778 • Winter encampment outside Philly • No food, disease, freezing temps • Positives • Nathaniel Greene will find food as commissary officer • Lafayette • Von Steuben • American army transforms into a mature army

12. Benedict Arnold • Arnold denied promotion • Congress failed to reimburse him for expenses from the Quebec campaign • He was court-martialed for failure to perform his duties • This left him bitter and desperate for money • Betrayal • West Point • John Andre

13. Entering the Southern Phase - 1779 • Hoped to find loyalists in South • Shifted focus in 1779 • Brits take Charleston, SC in 1780 • The South was much more of a patriot v. loyalist (Tories) fight • British army chases Americans who use hit and run tactics • Battle of Cowpens • Tarleton v. Morgan

14. Problems on Both Sides • Neither side could sustain a war much longer. • American issues 1780-81 • Can’t pay troops • Desertions, decline in recruiting • Army disintegrating • B. British Issues 1780-81 • Too expensive to fight • Civil War brewing: Protestants and Catholics

15. Yorktown – Oct 1781 • Cornwallis camps on peninsula • French fleet in West Indies (led by DeGrasse). • Washington & Rochambeau from NY • Lafayette from Maryland • French blockaded Yorktown. • Washington laid siege to the town - 7 days • Cornwallis surrendered

16. Treaty of Paris • Treaty of Paris (1783) • Brits and Americans work out their own deal • Terms • The Brits… • recognize American Independence • evacuate American territory east of the Mississippi. • return confiscated slaves. • American had to… • Pay pre-war debts • Stop confiscating loyalist property

17. Newburgh Conspiracy • The government was broke • Officers threaten to revolt • Officers offer to support Washington in a coup, but Washington refuses • Payouts are not completed until 1820 • "Gentleman, you must pardon me, for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in service to my country."