IV. The Revolutionary War

1. IV. The Revolutionary War

2. A. Strengths and Weaknesses • Continental Army + Strong Military Leadership + Fighting on home territory + Alliance with France - Small, untrained military - Shortages of resources - Weak Central Government

3. British Army + Well-trained military + Lots of resources + Alliances with Loyalists - Fighting in unfamiliar territory - Fighting far from home

4. Lexington & Concord 1. Where: Connecticut 2. When: April 1775 3. Summary of the battle (s)? • British troops told 70 colonists in Lexington to put down their weapons but the colonists refused. • The British killed 8 militiamen then marched on to Concord where they destroyed military supplies. • 4,000 minutemen/militiamen arrived in Concord and forced the British to retreat.

5. Lexington and Concord 4. Outcome: • The British will win the battle in Lexington but the Colonists will win the battle in Concord • Ralph Emerson will make his famous quote about the colonists firing their muskets for the first time – “shot heard ‘round the world.” 5. Explain its importance? • American colonists will need to choose sides – fight with the loyalists or the patriots. • Back up their political beliefs using force against King George – fight him on their own soil! 6. If the outcome had been different in the Battle of Lexington, what prediction might you make?

6. B. Beginning of War • Fighting in the North • Battles were focused in NY, NJ and PA • British take Long Island, NY • Christmas, 1776: Washington Crosses the Delaware and attacks the Hessians (German Mercenaries)

7. Battle of Trenton 1. Where: New Jersey 2. When: December 1776: 3. Summary of the Battle? • Washington’s troops crossed an icy river to New Jersey. • The troops marched into Trenton, NJ to make a surprise attack on the Hessians (professional German soldiers who were ruthless and only fought for money – they did not have a loyalty to anyone). • The American troops killed over 900 Hessians and gained needed supplies.

8. Battle of Trenton 4. Outcome: • This battle proved that General Washington was a better strategist than anyone had thought. • His men found confidence in the war and finally believed that they could defeat the British 5. Explain its importance: • More men were willing to volunteer for the war • American colonists wanted to show that they could become a nation without the support of the King

9. 2. Winter of 1777-1778 • 1777: British Capture American Capital, Philadelphia • Continental army spends hard winter at Valley Forge

10. Battle of Saratoga 1. Where: New York: 2. When: 1777 3. Summary of the Battle? • British troops are surrounded by the Continental Army. • The Continental Army will fire on the British day and night for days.

11. Battle of Saratoga 4. Outcome: • The British soldiers are weakened by the constant bombing and attacks by the Continental Army. • The British finally surrender in complete defeat. 5. Explain its importance: • This was a major turning point for the Americans because it prevented the British from dividing the States • A division of the states would have isolated the Northern colonies from the southern colonies • It also showed Europeans that the Americans might win their war for independence from Great Britain. • NOW other nations are willing to help the Americans in their cause to separate from English rule under King George III – especially France. 6. Make a Prediction: What if the Americans had lost the Battle of Saratoga?

12. Battle of Saratoga • October 1777 • 5,000 British surrounded by 17,000 Americans • British Surrender on October 17th • Turning point in Revolutionary War • Convinced the French to support the American cause

13. C. American Victory • Fighting in the South • 1778: British shift strategy • Hoped to get the loyalists in the south to rise up and help them • Help from France • Sent gunpowder, artillery and muskets • Ben Franklin sent to France to get them to help more

14. Recognizes American Independence • Sent 6,000 troops to help the Americans

15. Surrender at Yorktown and the Treaty of Paris 1. Where: Virginia 2. When: October 1781: 3. Summary of the Battle: • American and French forces surrounded British troops who were under General Cornwallis’s command. • Lafayette’s troops (American’s French ally) came by land from the west. • Washington and Rochambeau (French naval commander) came by land and ship from the north. • The French fleet blocked the Chesapeake Bay on the east coast.

16. Surrender at Yorktown and the Treaty of Paris 4. Outcome: • This will be the last battle between the Americans and the British. • The Treaty of Paris will officially end the war. • Formal peace negotiations will end British control in America. 5. Explain its importance: • The U.S. will become independent. • Each side will pay back debts it owes to one another. • The British will lose all colonial holdings in America. 6. Evaluate the importance of a Peace Treaty that ends a war:

17. Victory at Yorktown • 17,000 American troops surround 7,000 British troops • Trap them in Yorktown

18. Battle of Yorktown lasts 3 weeks • British surrender on October 19,1781

19. Treaty of Paris (September 3, 1783) • Peace treaty to end the war • British recognized American independence • Mississippi River the western border of the US • Spain regains Florida • US agrees to pay British Merchants money they owe and Loyalists property losses