7.2 The War Expands

1. 7.2 The War Expands

2. Help From Abroad (other countries) • France wanted to side with the rebels because they hated the British, but they didn’t help them openly at first. • After Saratoga, Louis XVI recognized U.S. independence. • France sent money, supplies and troops. • In 1779 France persuaded Spain to help out (strategy, advantage): Bernardo de Galvez quickly captured British forts in Natchez, Mississippi, and Baton Rouge. This not only helped the Patriots, but also spread Spain’s empire. • Because of help from France and Spain, the British now had to fight more than one enemy on land and sea (strategy, advantage).

3. Europeans Help Washington • Lafayette: he was from France; he believed in the American cause; used his own wealth to help supply his troops; he persuaded France to send 6000 troops. • Baron von Steuben (German) helped to train the armies (advantage).

4. Winter at Valley Forge • In the winter of 1777, Washington camped in rural Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. • On the march there his soldiers suffered because they had no shoes or warm clothes. • During the winter, the army grew weaker and about ¼ of them died (British advantage). • Washington begged Congress for supplies but was mostly denied to people in the area stepped up and helped out.

5. War at Sea • By 1777 the British had 100 warships off the Atlantic coast (strategy) and Patriots had no navy or money to start one. • Americans used privateers instead of a formal navy. • The states and Congress commissioned more than 1000 privateers who captured hundreds of British ships and disrupted British trade (strategy). • Raiding by privateers caused British merchants to call for an end of the war.

6. A Naval Hero • John Paul Jones • Jones commanded the Bonhomme Richard. • His most famous sea battle was with the British ship Serapis. • Jones defeated the British and his famous quote, “I have not yet begun to fight,” was immortalized