THE AMERICAN

REVOLUTION

1 7 7 6 - 17 8 3

THE EARLY YEARSA. Patriots – people who supported independenceB. Loyalists – people who remained loyal to the British KingC. Both sides expected the war to be short.

BRITISH STRENGTHS1. Had the strongest navy in the world2. Well-trained, experienced troops3. More people

BRITISH WEAKNESSES1. Were fighting 3000 miles away from home2. Took months for supplies and troops to arrive3. Were fighting in enemy territory

AMERICAN STRENGTHS1. Were defending their homes2. Most owned guns and were good shots3. Had George Washington

AMERICAN WEAKNESSES1. American troops were untrained2. Had few cannon and little gunpowder3. Had no navy at all

FIRST BATTLES WENT BADLY FOR THE PATRIOTS

British had 32,000 soldiers

Patriots were defeated at the Battle of Long Island – Washington retreated to Manhattan

Americans had 20,000 soldiers

NATHAN HALE – AMERICAN HEROWas a teacher that volunteered to be a spy. Was captured and hanged by the British

“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

BATTLE OF TRENTON – DECEMBER, 1776Last ditch effort, Washington decides on a surprise attack against Hessian troops – the Americans win.

THE WAR CONTINUESThe Battle of Saratoga – October, 1777 – victory marks a turning point in the war. Other nations saw we had a chance to win the war.

OTHER COUNTRIES CAME TO HELP

France – decided to support the U.S. openly – declared war on Britain and sent money, supplies, and troops to the U. S.

Spain declared war against Britain because they hated them so much. The Spanish governor of Louisiana helped raise an army to fight the British there.

WINTER AT VALLEY FORGEBritish General Howe and his troops spent the winter in comfort in Philadelphia.

Washington and his troops spent a terrible winter at Valley Forge. The soldiers had very few necessities such as blankets, shoes, or shirts. Many men deserted.

Washington had to keep his army together.

MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTEA French soldier who joined the battle for freedom – was a trusted friend of Washington.

CHANGING ATTITUDESAttitudes toward women began to change…..somewhat.

Abigail Adams – wife of John Adams – believed in women’s rights.

Molly Pitcher brought water to men on the battlefield.

Deborah Sampson

dressed as a man in order to

fightHopes for equality – for the first time, some Americans

Began to question slavery

THE WAR ENDSVictory at Yorktown – the war was at a critical point – each side needed a victory to win.

July, 1780 – French ships appeared off Rhodes Island- 5000 French troops

were on board commanded by

- Comte de Rochambeau

YORKTOWNWashington knew General Cornwallis was camped at Yorktown, Virginia, and was trapped there by the Marquis de Lafayette and his troops.

FINAL VICTORYWashington decided to attack Yorktown for the final victory.

The plan worked perfectly.

14,000 American and French troops had trapped 7500 British and Hessian troops.

The French fleet on the Virginia coast blocked the British escape from the sea.

FINAL VICTORYCornwallis surrendered, and the Patriots with the help of their friends won the Battle of Yorktown.

Independence – there were still small battles going on, but the loss at Yorktown convinced the British that the war was too costly to pursue.

THE TREATY OF PARIS - 1783

1. Great Britain recognized the United States as an independent nation.

2. American territory extended from the Atlantic Ocean, west to the Mississippi River, and from Canada in the north, to Florida in the south.

WASHINGTON’S FAREWELLDecember, 1783 – Washington said goodbye to his troops. He

expected to go home and live quietly with his family.