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A tale of two Armies. The American Revolution. Created by: Ruben Garcia. A tale of two Armies. 13.2 The Continental Army. The Continental Army was made up of volunteers who were poor farmers, merchants, and workers. At least 5,000 black soldiers fought for the Revolutionary cause.
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A tale of two Armies The American Revolution Created by: Ruben Garcia
13.2 The Continental Army • The Continental Army was made up of volunteers who were poor farmers, merchants, and workers. • At least 5,000 black soldiers fought for the Revolutionary cause. George Washington lifted the ban on black enlistment in the Continental Army in January 1776. Many were slaves promised freedom for serving. • Allies from Spain, France and Germany helped the Continentals in many ways. They loaned money to Congress. Allies fought with and helped to train the Continental Army. They also sent soldiers and warships to help the Continentals.
13.2 Problems faced by the Continental Army • The Continental Army had a number of problems. • Congress had little money to pay the soldiers or buy supplies.As a result, volunteers had to supply their own uniforms and guns. • In addition,they knew very little about being soldiers. Often, they had little discipline. • Washington worked hard to train his men. He taught them to obey orders and to fight together. • Like the army,the colonial navy was small. Mostly it was made up of trade and fishing ships that carried small cannons. • With their inexperienced army and small navy, the Continentals were like a small man about to do battle with a giant.
13.3 The British Army • The British fought the war with an army of professional soldiers, lifetime recruits who were subject to strict military discipline. • They also employed about 30,000 soldiers from Germany, mercenaries called Hessians. • A large number of loyalists, American supporters of British rule who formed their own military units and fought against patriot forces. • More than 20,000 black soldiers fought on the British side. • An estimated 13,000 Native American warriors fought on the British side.
13.4 The British Army: A long way from Home • Distance was a major problem: most troops and supplies had to be shipped across the Atlantic Ocean. • Ocean travel meant that British communications were always about two months out of date: by the time British generals in America received their orders from London, the military situation had usually changed. • The Colonies had no central area of strategic importance.
13.4 The British Army: A long way from Home • The large size of the colonies meant that theBritish lacked the manpower to control them by force. • The British had sufficient troops to defeat the Americans on the battlefield but not enough to occupy the colonies at the same time. • The need to retain Loyalist allegiance also meant that the British were unable to use the harsh methods of suppressing rebellions.
13.5 The Continental Army’s Motivation to win • Continental soldiers had a special advantage over the British. They had a stronger motivation, or desire, to win. • Continental soldiers believed they were defending their rights described in the Declaration of Independence. • They were trying to make a better future for themselves.To many Continentals, these were things worth dying for.
13.5 The Continental Army’s Motivation (Cont) • Of course, not all Americans were motivated to fight the British. Loyalists still believed that independence was unwise. • In addition, the British sometimes promised to free slaves who joined their side. As a result, some African Americans fought for the British to gain their freedom. • Many Native Americans also fought for the British to protect their lands.
13.6 Different War Strategies • Britain had to fight an offensive war. They had to attack the Continentals and take control of the cities and countryside. • At first, the British tried to end the war by stopping the rebellion in Boston. • They tried to show power by capturing important cities like New York. • By 1777, the British strategy was to destroy the Continental Army. They wanted to fight the army face to face, the way armies fought in Europe.
13.6 Different Strategies • In contrast, the Continentals could fight a defensive war. They didn’t have to destroy the British army, only hold them off. • After losing New York, Washington moved his men into the countryside. From there, they used “hit and run” tactics.They made surprise attacks against small groups of British and then retreated. • Continentals also used guerilla tactics to frighten and discourage the British.
13.7 The Continental Army gains Allies (Friends) • France sent money, supplies and soldiers. • Spain’s General Bernardo Galvez attacked English forts along the southwest. • Gen. Marquis de Lafayette purchased warm clothes for the soldiers during winter. Nicknamed the “Soldiers Friend” • Gen. Baron von Steuben helped train Washington’s men at Valley Forge. • The French navy helped trap Gen. Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia.
13.8 The Treaty of Paris: American Victory • In September 1783, the war finally ended with a set of agreements called the Treaty of Paris. • Britain agreed to recognize the United States as an independent nation. • Britain also gave the United States a huge amount of land. It included all the territory that was east of the Mississippi River, south of Canada and the Great Lakes, and north of Florida. • In the treaty, the United States promised to restore the rights and property of Loyalists.
American Advantages American Victory
American Advantages • BETTER LEADERSHIP- Britain's generals were overconfident. Gen. Washington learned from his mistakes and never gave up. • FOREIGN AID- Britain's rivals helped America win the war. • KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAND- The Americans knew the land and used it well. Britain could control ports but not the land. • MOTIVATION- The Americans had more reasons to fight. Their lives, their property and their freedom.
Terms of the Treaty of Paris 1783 Costs of the War Issues after the War
Terms of theTreaty of Paris 1783 • The U.S. was free and Independent. • Boundaries were the Mississippi in the west and Canada on the North. • Each side would repay debts owed. • Britain would return any enslaved people. • Confiscated property would be returned to the loyalist in America.
Costs of the War • An estimated 25,000 American Revolutionaries died during active military service. • About 8,000 of these deaths were in battle; the other 17,000 deaths were from disease, including about 8,000 who died while prisoners of war. • The United States spent $37 million at the national level plus $114 million by the states.
Costs of the War FYI Do not copy • Approximately 10,000 British troops died. • 1,200 Germans were killed in action and 6,354 died from illness or accident. • No reliable statistics exist for the number of casualties among other groups, including Loyalists, Native Americans, French and Spanish troops, and civilians. • The British spent about £80 million and ended with a national debt of £250 million. • The French spent about £56 million, their total national debt was £187 million
Issues After the War • The new Constitution would create a government in which the people, not a king, would rule. • The war expenses created a debt totaling $80 million that had to be paid off. • Americans also wanted more religious freedom. • Many argued over the hypocrisy of slavery and so called liberty. • The U.S. needed a government that would protect citizens rights and economic freedom.
