The American War for Independence 1776-1783

1. The American War for Independence (1776-1783) �These are the times that try men�s souls� -Thomas Paine, 1780

2. War : European Tactics (1700s) Great Britain -�rules� of �gentlemanly� warfare No attacking at night, No sneak attacks Mercenaries were common Soldiers lowly regarded in British society

3. War: American Tactics (1700s) Colonial warfare based on style of Natives �Skulking� style of war included sneak attacks, adjustments Hid behind walls, no uniforms, ambushed enemies Local militias

5. Continental Army Created by George Washington Fought alongside various state militias Provided Washington with better idea of soldiers� capabilities and length of service (1 year) Washington�s greatest accomplishment of the war

6. Leaders of the Revolution

7. Revolutionary Leaders 1- George Washington- leader of Continental Army 2- William Howe- head of British army in 1776 3- John Burgoyne- defeated at Saratoga 4- Lord Cornwallis- surrendered British army at Yorktown 5- Benedict Arnold- switched from American to British after Saratoga 6- Nathaneal Greene- RI native, Washington�s top field general

8. Opening Moves! British to seize NY 1776: Howe�s troops drive Washington out of NY Washington and troops again driven from Manhattan to White Plains NY becomes the British headquarters for the war!!

9. Opening Moves Cont� British begin to move onto Philly where the Continental Congress was meeting! Washington�s troops get word of this� THREE BATTLES>>>>> Battle of TRENTON Saratoga Yorktown

10. 1. Battle of Trenton December, 1776: Washington plans surprise attack of Hessian camp at Trenton, NJ. December 25: Washington attacks on Christmas night, kills/captures 1,000 men 3 days later: defeat of British at Princeton, NJ forces British to return to NY for winter

11. Results of Battle of Trenton Soldiers encouraged to re-enlist Morale of army shot up Washington showcased leadership skills 2nd Guessing: Why did Howe not deal �knock-out� blow in NY?

12. 2. Saratoga: France Enters 1777- British capture Philadelphia, Continental Congress escapes Valley Forge- winter of 1777-78: nearly 2,500 American soldiers die from cold, food shortages October 1777- Gen. Burgoyne�s troops captured outside Saratoga, NY Result: France enters war

13. 3. Yorktown, 1781: War in the South 1778- British turn to South Savannah, GA and Charlestown, SC fell to British Battle of Kings Mountain- victory for Patriots!!! British surrender at Yorktown (1781)

14. Treaty of Paris (1783) British recognized USA as a new nation!!!! Mississippi River is western border (open to British use) Florida given back to Spain!! France received colonies in Africa and Caribbean

15. Other Contributors to Revolution Women- cooking, nursing of soldiers, taking control of family business, spies African-Americans- British/Americans offered freedom in exchange for military service (5,000 for America) Loyalists- remained loyal to Britain, in some cases fled or lost land

16. Effects of Revolution New political ideas (republic) New state constitutions (guarantee of rights) Voting rights expand (social class) Freedom of religion Educational changes American painters

17. Why did Britain lose the war??? Atlantic Ocean Tried to occupy a whole continent American perseverance, fighting spirit George Washington, other generals French aid War unpopular in Britain