The American Revolution

1. The American Revolution • The War Expands

2. France and Spain had been secretly helping since 1776. In 1778, France formally recognized American independence. France offered supplies, its fleet of ships, and opened their ports to American warships. France wanted revenge on Great Britain. Army officers from Europe came to the aid of General Washington. These men offered their expertise in training American soldiers. Help From France & Spain

3. Marquis de Lafayette • 19 year old French nobleman who volunteered in Washington’s army. • Believed in the American cause. • Used his own money to buy supplies. • Known as the “soldier’s friend.” • Became very close to Washington.

4. Baron de Kalb • German officer who had served in the French army. • Earned a reputation for bravery. • Died from wounds obtained at the Battle of Camden.

5. Baron Von Steuben • In charge of training Americans at Valley Forge. • Taught military commands, how to march and make formations and how to use bayonets. • Taught the troops to have pride in themselves.

6. Washington’s army spent the winter at Valley Forge, 30 miles outside Philadelphia. They built log huts with 12 men per hut to share heat. The men lacked everything from food, to coats, blankets and shoes. 3,000 died of frostbite. Many more died of malnutrition and disease. Valley Forge became symbolic of the American struggle for independence. Many men stayed for love of country and love of General Washington. Winter at Valley Forge

9. Video (1:07)C:\Documents and Settings\jminnis\Desktop\American History Videos\Chapter 7\Winter_of_1777_1778__Encampment_at_Valley_Forge.asf

10. War on the frontier • George Rogers Clark was in charge of protecting the frontier. • Captured Kaskaskia on the Mississippi River. • Moved to recapture Fort Sackville from the “hair buyer” Henry Hamilton. • Executed Native Americans who were allies of the British and had American scalps on their belts and then threatened to do the same to them if Hamilton did not surrender.

11. War at Sea • Privateers – a privately owned ship given permission to attack during wartime. They took the cargo and sold it for their own profit. • American privateers harassed British ships so much merchants in Britain called for an end to the war

12. John Paul Jones • Commander of the Bonhomme Richard. • In a battle with the British ship the Serapis, Jones, when asked for surrender said, “I have not yet begun to fight.” • Jones won the battle but had to sail away in the Serapis because his ship sank. • Was inspirational to the American cause.

13. The War moves South • British focus efforts where they thought there were more loyalists – the South. • British hope for African slaves to help them. • British want to be close to their West Indies colonies. • When the Americans surrender at Charles Town they lose 5,000 – almost the entire southernarmy.

14. Cornwallis vs. Gates • Cornwallis – Competent British General. • Gates – led Southern army. Got help from Francis Marion – the “Swamp Fox.” • The Battle of Camden was a disaster because of Gates – his army was in no condition to fight and he put inexperienced militia on the front lines.

15. Gates Replaced by Greene • Gates’ retreat at Camden ended his term as head of an army. • Nathaniel Greene replaced Gates in the South.

16. Guerrila Warfare • The South was the site of guerilla warfare. • Guerrila warfare use surprise attacks and hit and run tactics. • The movie, The Patriot, portrays Marion and his tactics.

17. The End of the War • Yorktown – Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. • The British were pinned in by Washington’s forces in the west and the French fleet in the east. • Aug – Oct. 1781 – Cornwallis is forced to surrender Oct. 19, 1781. • Last MAJOR battle of the war. • Video (1:43) • C:\Documents and Settings\jminnis\Desktop\American History Videos\Chapter 7\October__1781__Yorktown__Virginia__The_Last_Battle_of_the_Revolutionary_War_.asf

18. How did they win.pdf