A Critical Time

1. A Critical Time Chapter 6 Section 2

2. Retreat from New York • Mid 1776, fighting shifts from New England to the middle states. • June 1776, Sir William Howe (British) gathered his forces on Staten Island. • Washington expected this, but he didn’t have enough troops. • The British won the Battle of Long Island • Washington had to abandon New York City

3. Nathan Hale • An American legend • Connecticut officer • Volunteered for dangerous spy duty: to collect information about British battle plans on Long Island • Caught behind British lines • Condemned to death (hanged)

4. Surprises for the British • To raise the morale of the Continental Army, Thomas Paine wrote another Pamphlet “The Crisis” • Urged Americans to support the army, regardless of hard times

5. Crossing the Delaware • Christmas night 1776 Washington and troops cross the Delaware River in small boats • Early in the morning on December 26, they attacked Trenton from two sides.

6. An American Victory • The attack brought an American Victory. • Soldiers in Trenton were Hessians (men from Hesse, a German state) • Mercenaries fighting for the British (soldiers paid to fight for a country other than their own) • Washington’s army captured almost 1,000 Hessian Mercenaries.

7. Saratoga: A Turning Point • British General John Burgoyne made a plan to end the rebellion. • His goal: to cut off New England from the rest of the states.

8. The British Plan • Burgoyne’s plan called for British forces to move toward Albany, NY in three directions • Ran into trouble almost immediately • Howe’s forces had already moved south

9. An American Victory • American commander: General Horatio Gates • At the village of Saratoga, NY, the Americans surrounded the British. • British suffered heavy casualties • Burgoyne surrendered on October 17, 1777.

10. Results of the Battle • Battle of Saratoga: major turning point in the war • Victory ended British threat to New England • Destroyed British hopes of an easy victory • Lifted Patriots spirits • Convinced Europeans that Americans had a chance to win

11. Help from Overseas • Feb. 1778, France formed an alliance with the United States

12. The French Alliance • France and its allies in the Netherlands and Spain also went to war with Britain. • This helped America because the British had fewer troops to fight in North America.

13. European Volunteers • Many Europeans volunteered to serve with American forces. • French noble, Marquis de Lafayette, became a high ranking officer in Washington’s army…became very close with Washington • Volunteers from Poland • Thaddeus Koscuisko: engineer- built fortifications at West Point • Casimir Pulaski led and trained Calvary

14. Baron Von Steuben • German • Helped train the Continental army • Served in the Prussian army (best in Europe) • Taught soldiers how to march, improve their aim, and attack with bayonets • Shaped the Continental army into a more effective force

15. Valley Forge • Valley Forge, Pennsylvania • Conditions were horrible—cold, no shoes, no food, sickness • Americans learned about this and sent help • Women collected food, clothes, medicine, ammunition • Some went to Valley Forge to tend to the sick