Ch 6 Revolutionary War

Ch 6 Revolutionary War

British( Loyalist) “ loyal” to Britain

Advantages• Strong and experienced

army and navy• Wealth• Larger population• African Americans

Disadvantages• Long way from home• Relied on mercenaries

called Hessians• Unfamiliar of territory

Americans(Patriots)“Fight for freedom”

Advantages• Fight on own soil• Determination• Leader

George Washington

Disadvantages• Inexperience troops-militia• Lack of experience and

supplies• Difficult to recruit troops• Divided support-neutral

Women in War

• Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley accompanied her husband and carried water pitcher to the soldiers. AKA “ Moll of Pitcher” or Molly Pitcher

• Margaret Corbin accompanied her husband in the battle. When he died, she took his place.

Women in War

• Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a boy and enlisted in the army.

Battle of Long Island• William Howe

• British general • Sent from England with 32,000

troops

• Nathan Hale• Schoolteacher who spied

on British troops• Discovered and hanged by

British

Washington only had 20,000 troops which many did not have socks, shoes, or jackets. Supplies were limited. The Patriots were chased across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania.

Defeat on Long Island

Patriot Gains

• Battle of Trenton– British armies did not expect to fight during winter– Washington takes chance to attack Trenton– Christmas night 1776– Captured 900 Hessians– Cornwallis sent with reinforcements– Washington led troops away from Cornwallis

Battle of Princeton• After leading troops away from Cornwallis’

men, Washington went to Princeton• There he drove the British troops away

British Plan for Victory• To take Albany, NY and gain control of Hudson river

by attacking from Canada (Gen John Burgoyne), Lake Ontario (Lt Col Barry St Leger) and NY (Gen Howe)

• Delays:– En route Howe takes Philadelphia and spends winter there

with troops– St Leger attacked by Benedict Arnold forcing the British to

retreat– Burgoyne’s heavy baggage caused army to move slowly

allowing Americans blocked them by chopping trees in paths. Later attacked by Green Mountain boys caused a retreat to Saratoga

Battle of Saratoga• Burgoyne’s reinforcements delayed• American troops led by Gen Horatio Gates• Burgoyne’s army attacks October 7 but

surrenders 10 days later

• A Patriot band played “Yankee Doodle” as 5,700 redcoats handed over their weapons.

• British plan FAILED• Gen Howe resigns• Replaced by Gen Henry

Clinton

Vocabulary:

• neutral• mercenaries• recruit• Hessians

• taking neither side in a conflict

• hired soldiers

• hired German soldiers

• enlist, sign up

The victory of Saratoga boosted American spirits and was considered the turning point of the Revolutionary War.

In 1777, Benjamin Franklin had been to Paris for a year trying to get the French’s support in the war. Franklin made many friends or alliances for the United States.

Turning PointWhy???

• Led France to announce support of Americans in 1778

• Led Spain to declare war on Britain 1779

Winter at Valley Forge• Gen Howe’s winter home now in

Philadelphia• Gen Washington and troops set up

winter camp at Valley Forge

One-Fourth of the American army died from:

- freezing conditions

- small pox

- typhoid fever

- lack of food, shelter, and clothing.

Martha Washington and other volunteers made clothes for soldiers and cared for sick

Spirits rose after hearing of French alliance

La Fayette

Von Steuben

• French nobleman Marquis de Lafayette becomes trusted aide to Washington

• German Gen Friedrich von Steuben turned Continental Army into fighting force

• Juan de Miralles petitioned Spain, Cuba and Mexico for financial aid to colonies

Allies send help to Americans

These men trained and drilled the American troops throughout the brutal winter. They learned European military formations. The Patriots soldiers became a real army.

Money Problems

Congress did not have the authorization to raise money through taxes; so it started to print more money than the gold and silver they had was worth. This caused inflation.

Life on the Home Front

Women started to take over men’s chores and ran business causing women to question their own equality . Abigail Adams wrote her husband John Adams that it was unfair for Congress to talk about freedom and liberty for the nation while men still held power over their wives.

Hopes for EqualityFrom the beginning –

Lexington, Concord and Battle of Bunker Hill - African Americans soldiers fought for the American cause and to some freedom.

To both White’s and African Americans, the Revolutionary war seemed to bring nearer the end of slavery.

Vocabulary:

• deserted• inflation

• left without permission

• the continuous rise the cost of goods and services