Essential Question

1. Essential Question • What affects did fighting on the frontier & on the seas have on the American war effort?

2. Frontier & Naval Fighting Chapter 7 Section 2 (Pt III)

3. The Rev. War Frontier • By the late 1700’s, the frontier was considered the area btwn the Appalachians & the Miss. R. • In 1775, the region opened up due to trailblazing frontiersman Daniel Boone • Boone explored the Cumberland Gap region, finding a passage btwn modern day KY & TN • He built a formal road through this passage that became known as the Wilderness Road

4. Summary/Quiz Question • Who was the famous frontiersman known for building the Wilderness Road? • George Rogers Clark • John Paul Jones • Daniel Boone • Davy Crockett

5. Frontier Fighting • By 1777, some western settlers wanted to expand the war into the frontier • George Rogers Clark, from KY, saw an opportunity to expand American holdings by conquering British frontier forts • Clark also wanted to defeat Britain’s Native American allies in the region

6. Frontier Success • Clark’s frontier campaign was a large success • Major victories were had @ the British forts of Kaskaskia, Cahokia, & Vincennes (Ft. Sackville) • These victories greatly increased the western holdings of the Americans • In fact, the area conquered equaled more than ½ the total size of the original 13 states!

7. Summary/Quiz Question • Why were George Rogers Clark’s victories important? • They forced the British to surrender at Yorktown • They gave the U.S. claim to land west of the Appalachians • They convinced France & Spain to support the Americans • They contributed to the American victory at Saratoga

8. Privateers • By 1777, the British had over 200 warships off America’s east coast • In retaliation to the British blockade, the U.S. govt sanctioned privateers • These privately owned ships were permitted to attack & seize British merchant ships • After capturing a British ship, privateers then sold its cargo and shared the profits w/ the U.S. govt

9. War on the Waves • Though badly outnumbered, the U.S. navy did score some surprising victories • Perhaps the most famous was the Battle of the North Sea, led by John Paul Jones • Jones, commander of the Bonhomme Richard, actually sailed across the Atlantic w/ 4 other ships to attack British cargo ships IN BRITAIN!!

10. JPJ vs. Serapis • Jones and his crew eventually engaged the powerful British warship called Serapis • At one point in the battle, Jones actually rammed the better armed Serapis, locking the two ships together • Soon after Jones and his men boarded the British vessel, defeating the British crew in hand-to-hand combat • The battle ended w/ both ships badly damaged, but the Serapis was forced to surrender • Soon after boarding the Serapis, however, Jones’ ship actually sank • So, Jones’ crew took over the Serapis, had it repaired in Holland,and then sailed it back home to America!