IV. The Revolutionary War

A. Strengths and Weaknesses

1. Continental Army+ Strong Military Leadership+ Fighting on home territory+ Alliance with France- Small, untrained military- Shortages of resources- Weak Central Government

2. British Army+ Well-trained military+ Lots of resources+ Alliances with Loyalists- Fighting in unfamiliar territory- Fighting far from home

Lexington & Concord

1. Where: Connecticut1. Where: Connecticut2. When: April 17752. When: April 17753. Summary of the battle (s)?3. Summary of the battle (s)?• British troops told 70 colonists in British troops told 70 colonists in

Lexington to put down their Lexington to put down their weapons but the colonists weapons but the colonists refused.refused.

• The British killed 8 militiamen The British killed 8 militiamen then marched on to Concord then marched on to Concord where they destroyed military where they destroyed military supplies.supplies.

• 4,000 minutemen/militiamen 4,000 minutemen/militiamen arrived in Concord and forced arrived in Concord and forced the British to retreat.the British to retreat.

Lexington and Concord4. Outcome:4. Outcome:• The British will win the battle in Lexington but the Colonists The British will win the battle in Lexington but the Colonists

will win the battle in Concordwill win the battle in Concord• Ralph Emerson will make his famous quote about the Ralph Emerson will make his famous quote about the

colonists firing their muskets for the first time – “shot heard colonists firing their muskets for the first time – “shot heard ‘round the world.”‘round the world.”

5. Explain its importance?5. Explain its importance?• American colonists will need to choose sides – fight with the American colonists will need to choose sides – fight with the

loyalists or the patriots.loyalists or the patriots.• Back up their political beliefs using force against King George Back up their political beliefs using force against King George

– fight him on their own soil! – fight him on their own soil! 6. If the outcome had been different in the Battle of Lexington, 6. If the outcome had been different in the Battle of Lexington,

what prediction might you make? what prediction might you make?

B. Beginning of War1. Fighting in the North– Battles were focused in NY, NJ and PA– British take Long Island, NY– Christmas, 1776: Washington Crosses the

Delaware and attacks the Hessians (German Mercenaries)

Battle of Trenton Battle of Trenton 1. Where: New Jersey1. Where: New Jersey2. When: December 1776:2. When: December 1776:3. Summary of the Battle?3. Summary of the Battle?• Washington’s troops crossed an Washington’s troops crossed an

icy river to New Jersey.icy river to New Jersey.• The troops marched into The troops marched into

Trenton, NJ to make a surprise Trenton, NJ to make a surprise attack on the Hessians attack on the Hessians (professional German soldiers (professional German soldiers who were ruthless and only who were ruthless and only fought for money – they did not fought for money – they did not have a loyalty to anyone).have a loyalty to anyone).

• The American troops killed over The American troops killed over 900 Hessians and gained needed 900 Hessians and gained needed supplies.supplies.

Battle of TrentonBattle of Trenton

4. Outcome:4. Outcome:• This battle proved that General Washington was a This battle proved that General Washington was a

better strategist than anyone had thought. better strategist than anyone had thought. • His men found confidence in the war and finally His men found confidence in the war and finally

believed that they could defeat the Britishbelieved that they could defeat the British5. Explain its importance:5. Explain its importance:• More men were willing to volunteer for the war More men were willing to volunteer for the war • American colonists wanted to show that they could American colonists wanted to show that they could

become a nation without the support of the Kingbecome a nation without the support of the King

2. Winter of 1777-1778– 1777: British Capture American Capital,

Philadelphia– Continental army spends hard winter at Valley

Forge

Battle of Saratoga Battle of Saratoga

1. Where: New York:1. Where: New York:2. When: 17772. When: 17773. Summary of the Battle?3. Summary of the Battle?• British troops are British troops are

surrounded by the surrounded by the Continental Army.Continental Army.

• The Continental Army will The Continental Army will fire on the British day and fire on the British day and night for days. night for days.

Battle of Saratoga Battle of Saratoga

4. Outcome:4. Outcome:• The British soldiers are weakened by the constant bombing and attacks The British soldiers are weakened by the constant bombing and attacks

by the Continental Army.by the Continental Army.• The British finally surrender in complete defeat.The British finally surrender in complete defeat.5. Explain its importance:5. Explain its importance:• This was a major turning point for the Americans because it prevented This was a major turning point for the Americans because it prevented

the British from dividing the States the British from dividing the States • A division of the states would have isolated the Northern colonies from A division of the states would have isolated the Northern colonies from

the southern coloniesthe southern colonies• It also showed Europeans that the Americans might win their war for It also showed Europeans that the Americans might win their war for

independence from Great Britain.independence from Great Britain.• NOW other nations are willing to help the Americans in their cause to NOW other nations are willing to help the Americans in their cause to

separate from English rule under King George III – especially France.separate from English rule under King George III – especially France.6. Make a Prediction: What if the Americans had lost the Battle of 6. Make a Prediction: What if the Americans had lost the Battle of

Saratoga? Saratoga?

3. Battle of Saratoga– October 1777– 5,000 British surrounded by 17,000 Americans– British Surrender on October 17th

– Turning point in Revolutionary War– Convinced the French to support the American

cause

C. American Victory1. Fighting in the South– 1778: British shift strategy– Hoped to get the loyalists in the

south to rise up and help them

2. Help from France– Sent gunpowder, artillery and

muskets– Ben Franklin sent to France to

get them to help more

– Recognizes American Independence– Sent 6,000 troops to help the Americans

Surrender at Yorktown and the Treaty of Paris

1. Where: Virginia2. When: October 1781:3. Summary of the Battle:• American and French forces

surrounded British troops who were under General Cornwallis’s command.

• Lafayette’s troops (American’s French ally) came by land from the west.

• Washington and Rochambeau (French naval commander) came by land and ship from the north.

• The French fleet blocked the Chesapeake Bay on the east coast.

Surrender at Yorktown and the Surrender at Yorktown and the Treaty of ParisTreaty of Paris

4. Outcome:4. Outcome:• This will be the last battle between the Americans and the This will be the last battle between the Americans and the

British.British.• The Treaty of Paris will officially end the war.The Treaty of Paris will officially end the war.• Formal peace negotiations will end British control in Formal peace negotiations will end British control in

America.America.5. Explain its importance:5. Explain its importance:• The U.S. will become independent.The U.S. will become independent.• Each side will pay back debts it owes to one another.Each side will pay back debts it owes to one another.• The British will lose all colonial holdings in America.The British will lose all colonial holdings in America.6. Evaluate the importance of a Peace Treaty that ends a war:6. Evaluate the importance of a Peace Treaty that ends a war:

3. Victory at Yorktown– 17,000 American troops surround 7,000 British

troops– Trap them in Yorktown

– Battle of Yorktown lasts 3 weeks– British surrender on October 19,1781

4. Treaty of Paris (September 3, 1783)– Peace treaty to end the war– British recognized American independence– Mississippi River the western border of the US– Spain regains Florida– US agrees to pay British Merchants money they

owe and Loyalists property losses