A Critical Time

Attack and Retreat

June 1776-A large British fleet led by Sir William Howe arrived off New York

Howe had: 34,000 well trained troops and 10,000 sailors

Washington had fewer than 20,000 poorly trained troops and no Navy

Attack and Retreat

That summer consisted of battles followed by American retreats

Colonists were forced out of Brooklyn, chased out of New York city and across through New Jersey

A game of cat and mouse…

Nathan Hale

Hale was an officer in the army and volunteered for a dangerous spy duty

He was caught and condemned to death His famous last words: “I only regret that I have but one

life to lose for my country.” Men like Hale inspired others to fight for independence.

Win by Surprise…if you can

After countless retreats and being chased, patriot spirits were low-many soldiers deserted

Thomas Paine retreated through New Jersey and wrote The Crisis to encourage Americans to support the army

The Crisis

“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”-Thomas Paine, The Crisis

2 minute essay: What is the main idea?

Crossing the Delaware

Washington had The Crisis read aloud to his troops, all the while planning a bold attack

12/25/1776 Washington led 2,400 men across the river in small boats

They were poorly supplied and some of which even had no shoes

Delaware

Early on December 26, 1776 they attacked Trenton from two sides, achieving complete surprise

American Victory!!!

The soldiers at Trenton were Hessians (men from a small German state)

They were among thousands of Mercenaries fighting for the British

One American soldier summed up the battle in these words: “Hessian Population of Trenton at 8 A.M.-1,408 men and 39 officers; Hessian population at 9 A.M.-0.”

Smooth Getaway…

Being followed by the British, Washington used a clever trick to escape

He had his soldiers make camp and make campfires

After dark, most of his men packed up and quietly left

British did not discover the trick until daylight

Saratoga: A Turning Point

The American’s won their first major battle at Saratoga.

Ended British threat to New England Destroyed British hopes of an early

victory Lifted spirits Helped convince Europeans that the

Americans had a chance

Help From Overseas

France wanted to weaken Britain France and its allies, Spain, and the

Netherlands went to war with Britain in Europe Britain had to wage war on many fronts British had fewer troops to spare to fight in

America Marquis de Lafayette, Baron von Steubon,

Casmir Pulaski, Thaddeus Kosciusko Common denominator: they all came from

Europe to help the Americans

Valley Forge

Winter of 1777-78 11,000 Continental soldiers were not sufficiently fed,

clothed, or housed Many lacked shoes, socks, and even pants 1 in 4 were sick Americans responded with supplies 2,000 died; 2,000 deserted Despite the misery, the Colonial army came out of the

winter better trained and prepared for war thanks to General Baron von Steubon (who was neither a Baron or a general)