The

Revolutionary

War America’s Journey to Freedom1775 - 1783

BackgroundIn the 1600s, England founded 13

colonies in America. People from England moved to these colonies. The colonists lived in America, but they still had had to obey English laws and pay money to the English government.

Over the years, the colonists started to think of themselves as more American than English. They were tired of have to obey the English government. By the late 1700s, the Americans were ready to rule themselves. Draper, A.S. (2001). “The End of the American Revolutionary War” p. 4

Background cont.The English did not want to

colonists to be free. They wanted to control the money and land in the colonies. The king of England sent British soldiers to control the Americans, but the Americans did not give in. They fought for their freedom. Battles between the Americans and the British started the Revolutionary War.

The Continental Army was formed to defend the thirteen colonies from the British, and to secure the removal of British troops from American soil. Draper, A.S. (2001). “The End of the American Revolutionary War” p. 4-5

Would you have chosen

to be a soldier in the Continental

Army?

Liberty or Death “Is life so dear, or peace so

sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God! I know not what course other may take, but as for me, give me liberty, of give me death!”

-Patrick HenryFreedman, R. (2000). “Give me Liberty: A Story of the Declaration of Independence” p. 30

Patrick Henry – Liberty or Death

Declaration of Independence “We hold these truths to be self-

evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

This gave many the courage and desire to fight…would you?

Freedman, R. (2000). “Give me Liberty: A Story of the Declaration of Independence” p. 73

Clothes & ShoesShoeless Private Martin made moccasins from “a small piece of raw cowhide” on the march to Valley Forge. But the “hard edges so galled my ankles…that it was with much difficulty and pain that I could wear them. The only alternative…was…to go barefoot, as hundreds of my companions had to, till they might be tracked by their blood upon the rough frozen ground.” Allen, T.B. (2007). “Remember Valley Forge” p. 25-26

Clothes & ShoesA Doctor at Valley Forge wrote in his journal,

“There comes a Soldier, his bare feet are seen thro’ his worn out Shoes, his legs nearly naked from the tatter’d remains of an only pair of stocking, his Breeches [pants] not sufficient to cover his nakedness, his Shirt hanging in Strings, his hair dishevell’d…exhausted by fatigue, hunger and Cold…”

–Albigence Waldo Allen, T.B. (2007). “Remember Valley Forge” p. 22

Marching to Valley Forge

A New EnemyOn arriving at Valley Forge, troops built campfires. Then exhausted, freezing, and hungry, they sat and stared into the flames. They had eaten nothing but scraps of food. During 1777 the Americans fought the British with mixed results. They had won some battles and had lost others. Now, in the coming months, they would face a new enemy – death from hunger, disease, and the bitter cold. Only if they could fend off this new enemy could they continue to fight for their country’s independence.

Dolan, E.F. (2002). “The Winter at Valley Forge” p. 11

Hardships in Valley Forge

Disease & DeathAs the new year of 1778 arrived ragged Americans struggled to stay alive through the frozen days and nights. Each morning the soldiers gathered outside their cabins for roll call. There, they learned of those who had died of the cold, hunger, or illness during the night. Before spring returned, one man in every four at Valley Forge would die.

Dolan, E.F. (2002). “The Winter at Valley Forge” p. 20

Lack of FoodFood was scarce. Now and again, shipments of food mad their way into the valley. Wagons brought a small load of mutton at Christmas. Flour arrived from time to time. When it did come the med mixed it with water, placed it on hot stones, and cooked it into tasteless biscuits called hardtack. Someone nicknamed them “fire cakes.”

Dolan, E.F. (2002). “The Winter at Valley Forge” p. 27

Baron von Steuben - Hope

Baron von Steuben was a veteran soldier from Germany, and came to America to join the fight against the British. He had heard the Americans were good fighters but that they lacked military training and discipline. They often ignored or disobeyed an order if they disliked it. These problems had cost many lives and victories. Every day von Steuben set about training the men. The men were now ready to face the British.

Dolan, E.F. (2002). “The Winter at Valley Forge” p. 31-32

Training the Troops

Spring - Hope

As Spring approached live at Valley Forge improved. Wagons containing cloth finally came and new uniforms were made. At the same time soldiers began obtaining shoes by trading with local farmers. Until then, some 2500 men had been without any footwear at all. The food shortage was also solved. The river was alive with thousands of fish. Hunger at Valley Forge disappeared . Dolan, E.F. (2002). “The Winter at Valley Forge” p. 36 & 39

An End In SightNow that the soldiers were trained, clothed, and fed , Washington led the troops out of Valley Forge and went in search of the enemy. The months of suffering had hardened the soldiers resolve to go on fighting. The French joined the war and the soldiers fought on for three years. In Yorktown, Virginia on October 19, 1781 the British finally surrendered, which allowed for peace negotiations. These negotiations brought the Revolutionary war to a formal close September 3, 1783.Dolan, E.F. (2002). “The Winter at Valley Forge” p. 40 & 44

The British Surrendering