Fighting for Liberty

1. Fighting for Liberty

2. Women in the Revolutionary War • Women played a crucial role in the American Revolution. When their husbands went off to war, the Women took over extra responsibilities at home like planting and plowing the crops. Some women worked alongside their husbands at the front lines. They cared for the wounded, washed clothes, and cooked for the American soldiers.

3. A Few Noteworthy Women • Some women like Mary Hays and Betsy Ross won worldwide fame. Betsy Ross is said to have sewn the first American flag, and Mary Hays (aka Molly Pitcher) became famous when her husband got wounded and she took over loading and firing the cannons. • Women were helping so much that it made them pause and think about their rights. Because of the war, many women gained more confidence and were willing to speak out for women’s rights. • Abigail Adams encouraged her husband John Adams to “remember the ladies” when writing the Declaration of Independence since women did not have equal rights. • Mercy Otis Warren wrote “The Blockheads” in which used her writing skills to stir feelings against the British

4. African Americans Lend a Hand • African Americans also fought in the war. At least 7,000 free black men served in the Continental Army. Many ran away from their American masters to fight with the British because the British promised freedom. Many others, though, were hoping that this war would end slavery altogether • James Armistead was an African American who served as an American spy. • Wentworth Cheswell was an African American who fought for independence and later became the first African American elected to public office.

5. Red Rover, Red Rover, Let Spain and the Indians Come Over • A few battles did take place west of the Appalachian Mountains. The British were able to gain many Indian Allies by convincing them that the Americans were just going to steal more of their land. • Spain came in on the side of the Americans in 1779. Bernardo de Galvez, governor of Louisiana sent supplies to the Patriots. • The Americans were building a small navy from ships that they were capturing on the high seas. The navy wasn’t big, but they did a good job of pestering the British navy. • Captain John Paul Jones captured the HMS Serapis in the North Sea.

6. A Few Other Important People • Haym Saloman – Jewish immigrant who helped getting financing for the American Revolution. • The Marquis de Lafayette – A French noble who brought trained soldiers over from France. He became one of Washington’s most trusted friends.