American Revolution Chapter 7.4 and 7.5

1. American RevolutionChapter 7.4 and 7.5

2. Bellwork: 12/18/12 • Map Skills • Turn to page 205 in your textbooks • Based on this map, where did the Patriot victories in the Revolutionary War take place?

3. Bellwork Answers • Trenton, Princeton, Saratoga, Vincennes, Kings Mountain, Yorktown, Natchez, Baton Rouge, Mobile, Pensacola

4. Essential Question • How were the Patriots able to defeat the British in the American Revolution?

5. Early British Victories • Quebec • Some Patriot leaders wanted to fight a defensive war, which would help the army’s supplies last longer • Others wanted to be more aggressive and take control of British-controlled Canada • General Benedict Arnold led his troops on a long march through present-day Maine towards Quebec.

6. Their strategy was to wait for a snowstorm. • The snow storm would provide cover while the Patriots got close to the city’s defenses • During a blizzard, on 12/31/1775, they attacked Quebec • The Americans suffered a crushing defeat • General Montgomery was killed in the battle • More than half of the troops were captured, killed, or wounded

7. New York • Patriot General Washington and his troops were stationed in New York, in July 1776 • British General Howe and his troops drove the Continental Army off of Long Island. • Washington’s troops retreated to Manhattan Island • The British force was much larger and better equipped than the Patriots • Many Patriots were captured, killed, or tried to flee the army. • The Patriot troops eventually were forced out of New York

8. British Victories • The British started out with major victories in Canada and New York • This was a major low point for the Patriots • Thomas Paine’s “The Crisis” papers called for Americans to support their troops even in times of doubt. • “These are the times that try men’s souls”

9. Patriot Victories Battle of Trenton • General Howe, responsible for defeating Washington in New York, allowed his troops to settle in New York City for the winter. • This costly delay allowed Washington to gather reinforcements. • Washington retreated from New York in the fall, convinced he needed to adopt more innovative tactics. • During the eighteenth century, armies usually retired to winter quarters and resumed their campaigns in the spring

10. Washington decided to attack mercenaries from Germany at Trenton, New Jersey. • Attacked on Christmas night 1776 • Washington and 2400 soldiers silently crossed the Delaware River • 12/26, patriots marched to Trenton to fight the Battle of Trenton, which lasted less than an hour • 900 captured mercenaries vs. 5 American casualties • Boosted the Patriot’s spirits

11. Battle of Princeton • Washington followed with another key victory • The British wanted to respond to prevent Washington’s army from gaining more ground • Washington left a few hundred men behind to keep their campfires burning for the British to see, thinking they were in for the night. • The remaining army, around 4000 left camp under cover of darkness and circled behind British troops for a surprise attack and victory • The Battle of Princeton was another important victory

12. Turning Point • After losses at Trenton and Princeton, British wanted to strike back • Three groups of British troops would meet at Albany, NY to cut off New England from the rest of the colonies. • Some Patriot leaders even ordered their men to specifically target officers, which was against British rules of war.

13. Daniel Morgan led a group of elite sharpshooters, at The Battle of Saratoga • Morgan’s riflemen used Guerilla Warfare to attack British troops • Tim Murphy, one of Morgan’s snipers, is said to have killed both General Fraser, and Senior Officer Francis Clerke leaving a large number of soldiers leaderless • The Patriot victory at Saratoga was a turning point in the war • It again boosted morale and led to more foreign support

14. Foreign Allies • France and Spain, enemies of Great Britain, unofficially aided the Patriots • Victory at Saratoga convinced France that America could win the war • France and Spain joined the war in 1778 and 1779 • Marquis de Lafayette – • wealthy Frenchmen • Fought for the colonies • Gave $200,000 towards the revolution • Spanish helped on the Western frontier

15. Valley Forge • Help of France and Spain came at a crucial time • Continental Army was running low on supplies • Washington settled his troops at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. • Shortages of food and clothing, coupled with harsh weather led to 1/5 of the soldiers dying from disease and malnutrition • Baron Friedrich von Steuben from Prussia helped to reorganize and retrain the troops at the fort. • Became more efficient and more disciplined soldiers

16. War in the West • Small battles between colonists and Britain’s Indian allies occurred in the western frontier • George Rogers Clark • Traveled the frontier, gathering soldiers from small towns • Took a difficult trek through the wilderness to capture British trading village of Kaskaskia • Forces also won the Battle of Vincennes

17. War in the South • Francis Marion – Patriot known for his unique fighting style in the South • He used guerrilla warfare- swift, hit and run attacks • Worked especially well in the swamps of the South • His soldiers attacked British communications and supply lines • Eluded capture by the British for months, earning the nickname “The Swamp Fox”

18. Benedict Arnold • 1781 Patriots were low on money to pay soldiers and for supplies • Benedict Arnold • Skilled officer; turned traitor • Debts and corruption charges led to the switch • Took command of West Point and tried to surrender it to the British. • His plans were discovered when a British Major was captured carrying papers revealing his plans

19. Siege of Yorktown • General Washington met with French General Rochambeau in New York • Their forces joined and traveled to Yorktown, Virginia • Meanwhile a French fleet surrounded and trapped British General Charles Cornwallis, preventing escape • Patriots captured the largest British army in America • Patriots held Yorktown under siege for weeks, finally causing a British surrender

20. Treaty of Paris • June 1781 a committee from the Continental Congress began peace negotiations with the British • It took delegates two years to come to an agreement • Treaty of Paris of 1783- Great Britain recognized the independent United States • Also set up nation’s borders • Great Lakes in the North • Mississippi River to the West • British accepted American rights to settle and trade west of the original 13 colonies