American Revolution: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Surprising Victories

1. Chapter 7 The American Revolution

2. 7.2 & 7.3 – American vs. British

3. 7.2 – American Strengths & Weaknesses Strengths Weaknesses Shortage of troops Poorly trained Shortage of supplies Shortage of food Value of money dropped • Patriotism- They would give their lives for their liberty and homes. • Help from the French- 90% of their gunpowder was from France. • Strong commander- George Washington

4. 7.3 – British Strengths & Weaknesses Strengths Weaknesses Britain was far away and made planning slow British people didn’t fully support the war, & were taxed heavily Poor leadership- Lord George Germain • British troops outnumbered colonists • Hessian mercenaries were hired to help • Well supplied with food, uniforms, weapons and ammunition.

5. The Blue team is smaller. It has not warmed up. It hasn’t played Capture the Flag as much as the Red team, just like __________ • The Red team is larger. It has warmed up. It has played the game more than the Blue team, just like __________

6. The Blue team captain has experience playing Capture the Flag, just like __________ • The White team cheers for the Blue team, just like __________ • Half the Red team starts the game far from the field, just like __________

8. 7.4 – Britain Almost Wins the War • Washington read the Declaration of Independence to his troops to increase Americans’ motivation to fight and win the war. Many Americans believed that freedom and the chance to create their own country were goals worth fighting for. • The Declaration of Independence raised hopes as well for African Americans. They wondered if the words “all men are created equal” applied to them, and whether independence would bring an end to slavery.

9. The British almost won the war in 1776. • The British, with their greater numbers and superior training, overwhelmed the inexperienced Americans at New York and in other battles in 1776. • With little food, bad weather, and defeats, morale was low. If something didn’t change soon, the “game will be pretty well up.”

10. The Blue team captain tells the Blue team they will get a prize if they win. This increases their motivation, just like __________ • Because they have more experienced players, the Red team is almost able to steal the Blue flag, just like __________ • One Blue player is told he or she might not get a prize, even if the Blue team wins. That player must decide whether to stay on the Blue team or switch to the Red team, just like __________

11. 7.5 – A Pep Talk and Surprise Victories • George Washington used the message of Thomas Paine’s pamphlet The Crisis to motivate his troops. The message of Thomas Paine’s pamphlet The Crisis was to remind Americans that real patriots hold onto their beliefs, even in hard times. • The Americans were able to win such an overwhelming victory at Trenton. Washington had his troops cross the Delaware River on Christmas night and take the enemy by surprise early the next morning. • The victories at Trenton and Princeton showed that the Americans could beat the British and their allies, and greatly boosted American morale.

13. The Blue team captain gives the Blue team a pep talk and encourages them to keep fighting, just like __________ • The Blue team captain adds a second Blue flag. This makes it harder for the Red team to win and boosts the Blue team’s morale, just like __________

16. 7.6 – The Tide Begins to Turn • Washington revised the strategy. He put his soldiers on the defense in hopes of tiring the British out instead of looking for defeat. • A New British Strategy • Germaine's new strategy was to cut off the Continental Army’s supply of men and weapons by taking control of the Hudson River Valley.

17. Problems with Burgoyne’s plan • The British were unfamiliar with the terrain. Instead of a clear invasion route, they marched through 20 miles of wilderness. • 600 wagons (30 filled w/ Burgoyne’s baggage), horses, and other equipment caused problems. • General Howe, without consulting anyone, headed to the rebel’s capital of Philidephia.

18. A Turning Point • Burgoyne faced several defeats at the hands of the rebels, eventually surrendering in Saratoga. • Winter at Valley Forge • Clothing and feeding the Continental troops was expensive. • A Prussian leader (Baron Friedrich von Steuben) led training exercises to distract the men from their misery. • A French volunteer (Marquis de Lafayette) spent his own money to buy warm clothing for the men.

20. The Battle at Monmouth • Sir Henry Clinton replaced General Howe, and ordered a retreat back to New York City. • Washington chased the men across New Jersey. • The British slipped across the Hudson to New York City, but Washington was camped nearby. • Unknown to both sides, the war in the North was over.

21. The Blue team captain tells the Blue team they do not have to capture the Red flag to win. Instead, they must keep the Red team from capturing all the Blue flags, just like __________ • The Blue team captain tells the Blue team that if they can hold on for one more round, they may receive help, just like __________ • The Blue team captain has one volunteer from the White team join the Blue team, just like __________

22. 7.7 – The War Goes South • The Americans used new tactics successfully against the British in the Southern Colonies. The South used guerrilla tactics, like hit-and-run raids, against the British. • The success of the Continental Army in the South contributed to the American victory. The Americans eventually forced the British to retreat to Yorktown, where they were defeated. • The French helped the Americans in the Battle of Yorktown. French troops and warships helped the Americans to trap the British army at Yorktown.

23. The teacher adds a third Blue flag. This makes it harder for the Red team to win, just like __________ • The White team enters the game to help the Blue team, just like __________

24. 7.8 – The War Ends • The British people responded to news of the Battle of Yorktown positively. • Most British were tired of the war, but King George did not want to accept defeat.

26. There were three key provisions of the Treaty of Paris. • Britain recognized the United States as an independent country. • Britain handed over territory from the Atlantic Coast to the Mississippi River. • The United States agreed to return all rights and property taken from Loyalists during the war.

27. By the end of Round 6, many members of the Red team don’t want to play anymore, but some do, just like __________ • At the end of the game, the Blue, White, and Red captains shake hands. The Blue and White teams receive their prizes. The Red captain hands over the Red flag. The Blue team promises to be nice to the Red team, just like __________