The American Revolution

1. The American Revolution

2. The Early Years of the American Revolution

3. Two Sides: Bitterly Divided • Patriots: want independence • Loyalist: support/loyal to England and the King

4. Two Sides: Bitterly Divided

5. Two Sides: Bitterly Divided • People to know: • George Washington: Commander/head of the Patriot forces • General William Howe: British Commander/head of British Forces • General Horatio Gates: American/2nd in command

6. Two Sides: Bitterly Divided • People to know: • Nathan Hale: Patriot: Spy who was captured and killed…regret that I have but one life to give for my country • General Benedict Arnold: American General….will sell out to the British…TRAITOR • Hessians: German mercenaries hired by British • General Charles Cornwallis: British General…ruthless…despised militia

7. Two Sides: Bitterly Divided • People to know: • General John Burgoyne: British General who would bring troops from Canada • General Henry Clinton: British General who will take over as head of British troops after Howe resigns

8. Fighting the War • Battle for Long Island (Summer-Fall 1776) • British knew they needed a decisive victory • England has 32,000 troops under the control of General Howe • Americans have 20,000 troops under the command of GeneralGeorge Washington • George Washington and his troops put up a strong fight • Nathan hale was caught by British and hanged

9. Fighting the War • Battle for Long Island (Summer-Fall 1776) • British outmanned and out maneuvered the Patriot troops • Continental Troops (Patriots) run out of supplies • British Troops easily win and now control New York • Big loss for the colonies…moral is low • Washington and his troops have to retreat

10. Fighting the War • Battle Of Trenton (December 25 1776) • After losing New York, Washington has to retreat to Pennsylvania • Howe keeps his troops in New York and New Jersey • Washington was in Pennsylvania just across the Delaware River from the British Camp in Trenton, NJ • Washington’s Plan: Surprise attack at Trenton

11. Fighting the War • Battle Of Trenton (December 25-26 1776) • Washington had 2,400 troops • Hessians were camping at Trenton with about 3,500 British troops • Washington and his troops crossed the icy Delaware River in the dark of Christmas night • British and Hessians were sleeping…caught off guard and unprepared

12. Fighting the War • Battle Of Trenton (December 25-26 1776) • Washington and his troops win easily • This also gives the Patriots a win in Princeton, New Jersey

13. Fighting the War • British Capture Philadelphia (Fall of 1777) • British want to break the power of the Continental Congress… • They know they have to capture Philadelphia to do this • Howe and his troops(30,000) invade Philadelphia • Easily win, no Patriot Troops • Congress has to escape…scatter everywhere

14. Fighting the War • Battle of Saratoga (October 7-171777) • Continental Army needs a victory if they are going to gain allies from Europe • General Gates (10,000 troops) and General Burgoyne (8,000 troops) would meet in Saratoga: • Burgoyne in trouble…low on troops and supplies

15. Fighting the War • Battle of Saratoga (October 7-171777) • General Gates’ troops have Burgoyne surrounded • Burgoyne has no place to ago so he attacks • Gates and his troops easily beat Burgoyne…he has to surrendor • King George and Parliament are mad! They force General Howe to resign and put General Henry Clinton in charge.

16. Fighting the War • Battle of Saratoga (October 7-171777) • Battle of Saratoga is a turning point for the Patriots. • Battle proves to Spain and France that the colonies could possibly beat England, so both countries decided to lend a hand. • This leads to the colonies gaining to important allies (friends/supporters) in their fight against England

17. France and Spain Lend a Hand • France • Declares War against Britain in 1778 • Promise to send money, troops, and supplies to help the Americans fight the British • Spain • Declares War against Britain in 1779 • Promise to help Britain in the South near Georgia and Florida

18. Winter at Valley Forge • The winter of 1777 brought a slowdown to the fighting • Howe and his troops were cozy in Philadelphia • Washington takes his troops to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania • Moral is low, men are feeling bad, not a good situation

19. Winter at Valley Forge • Conditions at Valley Forge: • Horrible….cold, snows constantly • Troops have almost no supplies, low food, bad medical care • No shoes….had to wrap their feet in bandages and socks • No shelter….have to build cabins

20. Winter at Valley Forge • Washington’s biggest problem: • Keeping the army together • People were dying from injury/illness/lack of food • Many soldiers began to desert (runaway)

21. Winter at Valley Forge • Spring of 1778: • Army survived the winter at Valley forge • Many new recruits came to join the fight • Army got news of the alliance with France which brought about a new fighting spirit • Washington knew his troops still needed a lot of help and decided to do some major training with his time left at Valley Forge

22. Winter at Valley Forge • Training at Valley Forge: • Marquis de Lafayette: • From France • Valuable aid to Washington • Helped plan strategy • Friedrich Von Steuben: • Former officer in Prussian Army • Drilled the troops taught them discipline • Marching and working together

23. Winter at Valley Forge • Training at Valley Forge: • Casimir Pulaski: • From Poland • Trained the Calvary • Taught army to fight on horseback • Juan de Miralles: • From Spain • Got countries like Cuba, and Mexico to send money to the colonies

24. Winter at Valley Forge • Result of Valley Forge: • Troops refreshed • Lean mean American fighting machine

25. The War Moves West and South

26. Native Americans Help the British • Native Americans join the war: • Fought/supported the British • Believed the British would win • Helped British attack American settlements along the western border of the colonies

27. The Battle of Vincennes • Vincennes: (July 1778-February 1779) • American Troops: 175 led by George Rogers Clark • British Troops: Commanded by Henry Hamilton(250-350)

28. Glory at Sea

29. John Paul Jones and the American Navy • British Blockade: • British organized a blockade of American Harbors • Blockade: block ships from entering or leaving • Congress began using privateers to attack british ships • Privateers: private ships that have weapons

30. John Paul Jones and the American Navy • John Paul Jones: (Father of the Navy) • American naval officer • Raided and attacked British ports