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Struggling Toward Saratoga. Battle at Bunker Hill. Misnamed: Breed’s Hill, North of Boston. General Gage decided to attack colonial militia on a hill near of Bunker Hill. Nearly 2,300 British soldiers. British attack up hill. Colonists held their fire until the last minute.
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Battle at Bunker Hill • Misnamed: Breed’s Hill, North of Boston. • General Gage decided to attack colonial militia on a hill near of Bunker Hill. • Nearly 2,300 British soldiers. • British attack up hill. • Colonists held their fire until the last minute. • They ran low of ammunition after 3 attacks. • British are successful. • Colonists lost 450 men, British over 1,000. • Deadliest battle of the War.
Americans Familiar with land (home advantage) Leadership, Washington Inspired by cause of independence A lot of soldiers were untrained Shortage of food, and ammunition Poor Navy No strong, central government to enforce wartime policies British Strong well-trained Army and Navy Strong government with money Support of colonial Loyalists and Native Americans Not familiar with territory Weaker military leaders Strengths & Weaknesses
The War Moves • British wanted to isolate New England • They seized NYC • General William Howe, Admiral Richard Howe • 32,000 soldiers, German mercenaries(Hessians) • Washington rallied 23,000 militia • Most had little training and poor equipment • Retreated after heavy losses • British pushed Washington and his 8,000 men across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania
Battle of Trenton • Washington and 2,400 soldiers marched 9 miles to NJ • Hessians occupied this area • Americans killed 30 and took 918 captive, and 6 cannons • Brought American moraleup • Princeton, NJ • Another battle win 8 days later
Victory at Saratoga • General Burgoyne wanted to lead an army down to NY to meet General Howe. • They would join forces to isolate New England from the other colonies • 4,000 redcoats, 3,000 Hessians, 1,000 Mohawk Indians • During the trip from Canada to NY, food ran low, slow trip • Burgoyne had met other opposition during his trip • Ethan Allen in Vermont • He did not realize Howe was still in Philadelphia and was not going to meet him in time. • Continental Army had appointed General Horatio Gates • He put together as many men as he could and they surrounded Burgoyne at Saratoga, NY (1777) • Burgoyne surrendered and British changed their strategy • They kept close to the coasts and close to supplies from their fleet
A Turning Point • French were secretly sending weapons to Patriots as early as 1776 • Saratoga victory put trust in American army • French recognized American independence • 1778, they signed an alliance that said France couldn’t make peace with Britain until they recognized American independence
Valley Forge • 1777-1778 • Continental Army and Washington were in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania for the winter. • Barely any food, clothes, supplies, freezing cold, huts, woods 2,000 out of 10,000 died. • British were in Philadelphia, stayed in loyalists’ homes.