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Learn about the Patriots and Loyalists during the Revolutionary War, their backgrounds, strategies, and outcomes of key battles like Saratoga. Explore the division among Americans and Britain’s strategies.
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Copy the following onto the top half of NB p. 26. Graphic Organizer 7.1: Describe the sorts of people who made up the Patriots and the Loyalists during the Revolutionary War.
Daily Task #3: Copy the following onto the bottom half of NB p. 26.
Lesson 7.1: The Early Years of the War Student Learning Objectives: 1. Describe colonial opinions on American independence. 2. Analyze early British strategy. 3. Summarize the causes and effects of the Battles of Saratoga. Strengths and Weaknesses a. b. c. 1. 2. 3. 4.
Americans Divided • The issue of separating from Great Britain split Americans. • Between 20 and 30 percent were Loyalists. • About 40 to 45 percent were Patriots. • Patriots and Loyalists came from all walks of life and from all parts of America. • Patriot support strongest in New England and Virginia • Loyalists most numerous in Northern cities and the South
Americans Divided Patriots Neutrals 30% 40% 30% Loyalists
How were Americansdivided over the issue of separating from Great Britain? Americans were almost evenly split on the issue, with 40% supporting independence and 30% either neutral or loyal to Britain. X X
Creating an Army • In 1775, George Washington took command of the Continental Army. • His first task: to raise and equip an army
Creating an Army • In 1775, the Continental Army was formed from state militias, made up of untrained volunteers. • Their terms of service were short. • Congress did not give the army enough supplies.
Creating an Army Washington’s main goal for his army was to survive. He needed to win some battles and avoid a big defeat.
Why was George Washington’s job as commander of the Continental Army difficult?
Washington’s job as commander was difficult because it was hard to raise and supply an army. Also, the army was made up of untrained volunteers who often had short terms of enlistment. X
Struggle for the Middle States • The British goal: conquer cities on the coast so the navy could bring fresh troops and supplies. • July 1776 – British general William Howe arrived in New York with a large army, including a large force of Hessian mercenaries.
Struggle for the Middle States • By December, the American army had to retreat across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania. • The winter weather was hard on the badly supplied Americans. • The soldiers’ spirits were low, and Washington wanted a quick victory.
Struggle for the Middle States • They surprised and defeated the Hessians at Trenton, and gained needed supplies. • December 25 – American troops crossed the Delaware River.
Struggle for the Middle States • A few days later, they won again at Princeton. • These victories began to attract new recruits.
What was the result of the Continental Army’s early victories?
As a result of the Continental Army’s early victories, the Continental Army attracted new recruits. X
Britain’s Strategy • The British strategy – seize the Hudson River valley to cut off New England from other states. • Three British armies to meet at Albany, New York. • Burgoyne and his troops would come from Canada. • St. Leger and his troops would come from Montreal through Lake Ontario. • Howe and his troops would come from New York City.
Britain’s Strategy • Burgoyne’s journey to Albany was slowed by Patriot militia attacks. • Howe decided to try to capture Philadelphia and George Washington. • Although Howe took Philadelphia, Washington was able to escape. Howe decided not to go to Albany.
Battles Along the Mohawk • St. Leger’s troops included Iroquois led by the Mohawk chief Joseph Brant. • On their way to Albany, St. Leger’s army tried to capture Fort Stanwix in the Mohawk River valley.
Battles Along the Mohawk • In August 1777, American general Benedict Arnold led a small army up the Mohawk River. • Believing a rumor that Arnold had a large army, St. Leger fled, leaving behind cannon and supplies. • No one was left to rendezvous with Burgoyne at Albany.
The British strategy in the Revolutionary War was to seize the Hudson River valley so they could cut off New England from other states. X
Saratoga: A Turning Point • Battle of Bennington, August 1777 – New England troops defeat a raiding party from Burgoyne’s army scouting for supplies. • Burgoyne’s army pushed on toward Albany.
Saratoga: A Turning Point • Burgoyne’s army had to break through the American fortifications so it could go on to Albany. • At the same time, General Arnold led a failed attack on the British at a nearby farm. • Near Saratoga, New York, Burgoyne’s force met an American army led by General Horatio Gates.
Saratoga: A Turning Point • A few weeks later, Arnold led more charges against the British that forced Burgoyne’s forces to retreat, but was wounded.
Saratoga: A Turning Point • After being fired on day and night. Burgoyne’s army surrendered. • The Americans surrounded the British after they retreated to a former camp at Saratoga.
Saratoga: Two Results • Benedict Arnold, who had married a Loyalist wife, was growing bitter. • He felt that Congress had not given him enough reward for his actions.
Saratoga: Two Results • In 1780, he agreed to turn over an American fort to the British. • Although his plot was discovered before he could carry it out, he escaped.
Benedict Arnold turned traitor because he felt that Congress had not rewarded him enough for his heroic actions in battles, and because of the influence of his Loyalist wife. X
Saratoga: Two Results • On the plus side, the victory at Saratoga was a turning point in the war. • It caused European nations to think that the Americans might win. Several nations decided to help America.
How did the Battles of Saratoga mark a turning point in the war?
The Battles of Saratoga marked a turning point in the war because they kept the British from isolating New England, and . . . because they led European nations to give aid to the Americans. X
