The American Revolution

1. The American Revolution American History I - Unit 2 Ms. Brown

2. Review • Why is the Battle of Saratoga considered a “turning point” in the war in favor of the colonists? • Continental Army started to win more victories • British started to doubt their strength • ***France decided to help Americans*** • How did the winter at Valley Forge affect the morale of the Continental Army? • Lowered morale due to cold winter and many deaths (cold, lack of food, spreading of diseases) • By the summer of 1778, why is morale high in the Continental Army? • Higher moral thanks to foreign aid: Von Steuben’s training, de Lafayette’s help, and $/supplies from France • What is inflation? • A decline in the value of money when too much money is in circulation and prices rise for goods and services

3. 2.4 – Winning the Revolutionary War

4. Battles Move South • Oct. 1777 – Battle of Saratoga • American VICTORY! (turning point of war) • British humiliated • Summer 1778 – British move south • Rally Loyalist support • Reclaim former colonies in the southern region • Regroup and fight their way back to the north

5. Early British Success in the South • Late 1778 – British captured Savannah, GA • May 1780 – British Generals Clinton and Cornwallissailed from NY to Charles Town  British captured Charles Town, SC. • Clinton returned to NY • Cornwallis stayed in the south to conquer SC and NC • 1780 – Recoats advanced, with help from African American slaves  Set up forts all over SC • Forced to retreat at the NC border, Patriots attacked constantly

6. Nathaniel Greene and Cowpens • Washington sent General Nathaniel Greene to drive Cornwallis back into SC. • Jan. 1781 - Battle of Cowpens • American victory under Greene! • British expected fewer Continental troops and were forced to surrender

7. Battle of Guilford Court House • March 1781 – Battle of Guilford Court House • Cornwallis angered over loss at Cowpens • British victory (technically)… 93 killed, 400 wounded, 26 missing • Greene had weakened the British and slowed their southern advances but needed back-up • Wrote a letter to Marquis de Lafayette asking for help “I wish you to march your force southward by Alexandria and Fredericksburg to Richmond [Virginia]… It is impossible for the Southern States with all the exertions they can make under the many disadvantages they labour to save themselves. Subsistence is very difficult to be got and therefore it is necessary that the best of troops should be employed… Every exertion should be made for the salvation of the Southern States for on them depend the liberty of the Northern.” - Nathaniel Greene in a letter to Lafayette

8. Cornwallis Moves into Virginia • Cornwallis and troops got rest and gathered reinforcements in Wilmington and then continued to Virginia • Failed to defeat Lafayette and von Steuben’s troops in VA • Settled with 7,500 men at Yorktown • Peninsula between the James and York rivers • Near Jamestown • Planned to capture Virginia and move north

9. British Surrender at Yorktown • 1780 – French troops arrived in… • New England (NY, MA) • the West Indies (Caribbean) • Lafayette suggests that the French fleets meet up with the American troops to surround Yorktown and Cornwallis

10. British Surrender at Yorktown • Following Lafayette’s plan, American and French troops surrounded Cornwallis • Troops on land around town • Ships in James River to block a water-escape • American/French troops bombarded and shelled Yorktown for 3 weeks  SEIGE!

11. British Surrender at Yorktown • October 19, 1781 – British OFFICIALLY SURRENDER! • Continental Army - Washington, French General Rochambeau, and troops • British Army – General O’Hara (representing Cornwallis) and Redcoats • O’Hara tried to hand his sword to Rochambeau, who directed him to Washington • Washington, insulted by Cornwallis’ absence, directed O’Hara to his 2nd in command

12. Peace Talks in Paris • 1782 –Meeting of representatives from America, England, France, and Spain • America – wants full independence and all former British land in the former colonies • England – didn’t want to give full American independence • France – supported American independence, but feared the US becoming more powerful • Spain – wants land between Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi (formerly British land reserved for Natives)

13. Peace Talks in Paris • European nations thought the American representatives would be easily manipulated  WRONG! • American representatives • Benjamin Franklin • John Adams • John Jay • Demanded the England recognize American independence before any talks went further.

14. Treaty of Paris (1783) • Officially ended the Revolutionary War and signaled American independence • Confirmed American independence • American boundaries • Atlantic Ocean – Mississippi River • Canada border – Florida border • Future problems…DIDN’T specify when British troopswould leave forts in America

15. Impact on American Society • During the war, class lines were blurred as EVERYONE joined the war effort • Rise of egalitarianism – a belief in the equality of all people • 1780s – only applied to white males • No new rights to women • Blacks still enslaved, free blacks faced discrimination, poverty, and violence • Native American communities destroyed since English colonization began, increased concern as western lands now belonged to Americans

16. Final Thoughts… • American independence – The United States of America!! • Uh… what next? • What type of government will America have? • What laws will be made? • Who should participate in the government? • Americans now face the difficult task of starting a new nation…