2-4: A New Nation

2-4: A New NationThe Americans fought the British in

the American Revolution and defeated them.

Anticipatory Set

The Declaration of Independence changed the

nature of the American Revolution. What led to this?

California StandardsSocial Studies Standard 8.1.3: Analyze

how the American Revolution affected other nations, especially France.

InputLoyalist: people who remained loyal

to Britain.mercenary: a soldier who fights

because he is being paid, not because he believes in the cause.

alliance: an agreement between countries to aid an support one another

Input & ModelingFighting in the Middle Colonies

Early Setbacks In March 1776, the British abandoned Boston and

fighting shifted to the Middle Colonies. The Continental soldiers were poorly trained and

often disorganized. Since they were volunteers, many soldiers felt free to

return home at will. The British had a regular army and a powerful navy. They had support from Native American allies and

hired German mercenaries, people who are paid to fight but may not believe in the cause.

Input & ModelingFighting in the Middle Colonies

Early Setbacks In August 1776, the Continental army suffered a

major defeat in New York. Over a period of weeks, the British drove the

Continentals into New Jersey. Washington retreated into Pennsylvania, and

Congress abandoned Philadelphia for Baltimore. On December 25, 1776, Washington led troops

across the icy Delaware River to New Jersey, where they surprised a group of German mercenaries at Trenton.

A few weeks later, the Continental army won another victory at Princeton.

Input & ModelingSaratoga: A Turning Point

The victory at Saratoga boosted Patriot confidence and convinced France that the colonists had a chance to win independence. In the summer of 1777, the British planned to move

armies from the south, west, and north toward Albany, New York in order to gain control of the Hudson River.

Control of the Hudson could have cut off the flow of soldiers and supplies from New England.

Patriot forces blocked the army from the west. The southern army never reached the North.

Input & ModelingSaratoga: A Turning Point

Input & ModelingSaratoga: A Turning Point

The victory at Saratoga boosted Patriot confidence and convinced France that the colonists had a chance to win independence. The northern army, under General John Burgoyne was

forced to fight the Continental soldiers and hundreds of local militia.

The two forces collided in the Battle of Saratoga. Outnumbered and cut off from retreat, Burgoyne

surrendered on October 17, 1777. In February 1778, France entered into an alliance, an

agreement between countries to aid and support one another, with the United States.

Input & ModelingLong Road To Victory

The American victory at Yorktown marked the major battle of the war.The winter of 1777-78 was brutal for the

Continental army. Washington’s forces were camped in bitter

cold at Valley Forge.The Americans lacked food and equipment.As news of the suffering spread, Patriots from

around the nation sent help.By the fall of 1781, the Americans had

recaptured much of South Carolina.

Input & ModelingLong Road To Victory

The American victory at Yorktown marked the major battle of the war.

The British, led by General Charles Cornwallis, moved north into Virginia.

Cornwallis made the mistake of setting up a base at Yorktown, on a strip of land that juts into Chesapeake Bay.

Input & ModelingLong Road To Victory

The American victory at Yorktown marked the major battle of the war.

Realizing that Cornwallis had placed himself into a trap, Washington rushed his forces south to Virginia, cutting off all escape routes for the British by land.

The French fleet sailed to the coast and cut off British naval assistance.

Cornwallis was forced to surrender at Yorktown.

Input & ModelingLong Road To Victory

Input & ModelingAftermath of the Revolution

The American victory proved an inspiration to people in other nations, especially France. The loss of Cornwallis’s army convinced Parliament

that the Americans could be defeated only at great cost.

In 1782, the British met with three representatives from the U.S. to negotiate the Treaty of Paris, which ended the war and recognized American independence.

The treaty set the new nation’s boundaries as Canada on the north, the Mississippi River on the west, and Florida on the south.

Input & ModelingAftermath of the Revolution

The American victory proved an inspiration to people in other nations, especially France.The French citizens were outraged by the

injustices of the French social system.Aristocrats lived lavishly, while poor people

starved. In 1789, the French Revolution began.The success of the Americans inspired

revolutionary leaders in Latin America to fight for independence from Spain.

What disadvantages did the Continental army have?poorly trained &

disorganized

Why was the Battle of Saratoga important?France entered

into a formal alliance with the Americans.

Check forUnderstanding

How did the Americans win final victory?American land forces

and the French fleet trapped the British in Yorktown, forcing Cornwallis to surrender.

How did the American Revolution affect France?Inspired their own

revolution.

Check forUnderstanding

Answer #3, 5,& 7

Guided Practice

Independent PracticeFinish the worksheet.

HOMEWORK EXTENSION

Write a detailed SUMMARY of the section and complete the UNANSWERED QUESTIONS section of your notes.

Choose two of the remaining Depth & Complexity ICONS in your notes and explain how they relate to this section.