Copy the following onto the top half of NB p. 29.

Copy the following onto the top half of NB p. 29.

Patriots Loyalists

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Class Notes 7.1: Describe the sorts of people who made up the Patriots and the Loyalists

during the Revolutionary War.

Copy the following onto the bottom of NB p. 29.

Strengths Weaknesses

GreatBritain

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TheAmericanColonies

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Lesson 7.1a: Strengths and Weaknesses

Today we will describe Patriots and Loyalists, and list the American and British

strengths and weaknesses at the

start of the Revolutionary War.

Vocabulary

• allegiance – loyalty and support

• expanse – a wide, uninterrupted space

• currency – anything used for trade, especially money in the form of coins or paper bills

Check for Understanding

• What are going to do today?

• What does our pledge of allegiance mean?

• What other forms of currency do people use instead of money?

• What is an example of an expanse?

What We Already Know

The publication of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense convinced many

American colonists that they should renounce their allegiance to Britain.

What We Already Know

With King George’s

rejection of the Olive Branch

Petition and his sending more

troops to America,

Congress decided it had no choice but to declare independence.

What We Already Know

At the direction of Congress, Thomas Jefferson wrote a

Declaration of Independence based

on the idea that governments rule with

the consent of the people, and to protect

the rights of the people.

Americans Divided

• The issue of separating from Great Britain divided Americans into two groups.

• Between 20 and 30 percent were Loyalists.• About 40 to 45 percent were Patriots. • Patriots and Loyalists came from all walks of

life and from all parts of America.

• The issue of separating from Great Britain divided Americans into two groups.

• Between 20 and 30 percent were Loyalists.• About 40 to 45 percent were Patriots. • Patriots and Loyalists came from all walks of

life and from all parts of America.

Patriots

Loyalists

Neutrals

Americans DividedAmericans Divided

40%

30%

30%

The Patriots . . .

• lived in largest numbers in Virginia and New England.

• were Native Americans who lived near colonists and interacted with them.

• were African Americans who hoped American independence would bring greater equality.

The Loyalists . . .• lived in largest numbers in New

York State, in cities, and in the South.

• worked for the British govern–ment or as ministers in the Church of England

• were Native Americans who feared losing their lands to settlers.

• were African Americans who were offered freedom by the British government if they served in the British army.

Creating an Army

• In 1775, George Washington took command of the Continental Army.

• His first task: to raise and equip an army.

Creating an Army• In 1775, the Continental Army was formed from

state militias, made up of untrained volunteers.

• Their terms of enlistment were short, so they didn’t stay long.

• Congress did not give the army enough supplies.

• Their terms of enlistment were short, so they didn’t stay long.

• Congress did not give the army enough supplies.

Creating an Army

• Washington’s main goal for his army was to have it survive.

• He needed to win some battles and avoid a big defeat.

• To win a major battle, he needed a large, well-equipped army.

Get your whiteboards and markers ready!

How were Americansdivided over the issue of separating

from Great Britain?

XX

How were Americansdivided over the issue of separating

from Great Britain?A. Americans were almost evenly split

on the issue.

B. The vast majority of Americans supported independence from Britain.

C. The vast majority of Americans remained neutral.

D. The vast majority of Americans remained loyal to Britain.

A. Americans were almost evenly split on the issue.

B. The vast majority of Americans supported independence from Britain.

C. The vast majority of Americans remained neutral.

D. The vast majority of Americans remained loyal to Britain.

XX

1. Who were Patriots?A. Colonists who lived in largest numbers in

Virginia and New EnglandB. Native Americans who feared losing their

lands to settlersC. African Americans who hoped American

independence would bring greater equalityD. Colonists who lived in largest numbers in

New York State, in cities, and in the SouthE. Colonists who worked for the British

government or as ministers in the Church of England

Choose all that are true!Choose all that are true!

1. Who were Loyalists?A. Native Americans who lived near colonists

and interacted with themB. Colonists who lived in largest numbers in

New York State, in cities, and in the South C. African Americans who hoped American

independence would bring greater equalityD. Colonists who worked for the British

government or as ministers in the Church of England

E. Native Americans who feared losing their lands to settlers

Choose all that are true!Choose all that are true!

2. Why was George

Washington’s job as

commander of the Continental Army difficult?

A. The enlistment period was short.

B. The men were always in need of supplies.

C. They were fighting on unfamiliar ground.

D. Few of the Continentals had any training or experience.

E. Most Americans remained loyal to Britain.

A. The enlistment period was short.

B. The men were always in need of supplies.

C. They were fighting on unfamiliar ground.

D. Few of the Continentals had any training or experience.

E. Most Americans remained loyal to Britain.

Choose all that are true!

Choose all that are true!

Strengths and Weaknesses of Great Britain and the American

Colonies in 1776

Strengths and Weaknesses of Great Britain and the American

Colonies in 1776

British StrengthsBritish Strengths

3-to-1 population advantage3-to-1 population advantage

A professional army

Indian allies

Money to hire Hessian

mercenaries

World’s largest and best navyWorld’s largest and best navy

British Weaknesses

Poor military and political leadership

Poor military and political leadership

Divided public opinionDivided public opinion

Far away from the colonies

Vast expanses to conquer, with no single capital city

Vast expanses to conquer, with no single capital city

Britain had to win; a draw would mean victory for the colonies

Strengths of the American Colonies

Strengths of the American Colonies

Outstanding political and military leadership

Hopes of foreign assistance

Hopes of foreign assistance

Defensive strategy; close

to home and supplies

Defensive strategy; close

to home and supplies

Superior marksmanshipSuperior marksmanship

Belief in a just cause

Weaknesses of the American

Colonies

Lack of unity between colonists and between the colonies

Very little currency in the colonies

Very little currency in the colonies

Few weapons or military supplies

Few weapons or military supplies

No industrial base, few manufactured goods

No industrial base, few manufactured goods

Unreliable, untrained,

undisciplined militia

Strengths

• 3-to-1 population advantage

American BritishAmerican British

3-to-1 population advantage3-to-1 population advantage

Strengths

• 3-to-1 population advantage

• A professional army

American BritishAmerican British

A professional armyA professional army

Strengths

• Belief in a just cause • 3-to-1 population advantage

• A professional army

American BritishAmerican British

Belief in a just causeBelief in a just cause

Strengths

• Belief in a just cause• Defensive strategy;

close to home and supplies

• 3-to-1 population advantage

• A professional army

American BritishAmerican British

Defensive strategy; close to home and suppliesDefensive strategy; close to home and supplies

Strengths

• Belief in a just cause• Defensive strategy;

close to home and supplies

• Hopes of foreign assistance

• 3-to-1 population advantage

• A professional army

American BritishAmerican British

Hopes of foreign assistanceHopes of foreign assistance

Strengths

• Belief in a just cause• Defensive strategy;

close to home and supplies

• Hopes of foreign assistance

• 3-to-1 population advantage

• A professional army• Indian allies

American BritishAmerican British

Indian alliesIndian allies

Strengths

• Belief in a just cause• Defensive strategy;

close to home and supplies

• Hopes of foreign assistance

• 3-to-1 population advantage

• A professional army• Indian allies• Money to hire Hessian

mercenaries

American BritishAmerican British

Money to hire Hessian mercenariesMoney to hire Hessian mercenaries

Strengths

• Belief in a just cause• Defensive strategy;

close to home and supplies

• Hopes of foreign assistance

• Outstanding political and military leadership

• 3-to-1 population advantage

• A professional army• Indian allies• Money to hire Hessian

mercenaries

American BritishAmerican British

Outstanding political and military leadershipOutstanding political and military leadership

Strengths

• Belief in a just cause• Defensive strategy;

close to home and supplies

• Hopes of foreign assistance

• Outstanding political and military leadership

• Superior marksmanship

• 3-to-1 population advantage

• A professional army• Indian allies• Money to hire Hessian

mercenaries

American BritishAmerican British

Superior marksmanshipSuperior marksmanship

Strengths

• Belief in a just cause• Defensive strategy;

close to home and supplies

• Hopes of foreign assistance

• Outstanding political and military leadership

• Superior marksmanship

• 3-to-1 population advantage

• A professional army• Indian allies• Money to hire Hessian

mercenaries• World’s largest and

best navy

American BritishAmerican British

World’s largest and best navyWorld’s largest and best navy

Weaknesses

• Divided public opinion

American BritishAmerican British

Divided public opinionDivided public opinion

Weaknesses

• Divided public opinion• Far away from the

conflict

American BritishAmerican British

Far away from the conflictFar away from the conflict

Weaknesses

• Few weapons or military supplies

• Divided public opinion• Far away from the

conflict

American BritishAmerican British

Few weapons or military suppliesFew weapons or military supplies

Weaknesses

• Few weapons or military supplies

• Divided public opinion• Far away from the

conflict• Had to win, not draw

American BritishAmerican British

Had to win, not draw Had to win, not draw

Weaknesses

• Few weapons or military supplies

• Lack of political unity

• Divided public opinion• Far away from the

conflict• Had to win, not draw

American BritishAmerican British

Lack of political unity Lack of political unity

Weaknesses

• Few weapons or military supplies

• Lack of political unity• No industrial base, few

manufactured goods

• Divided public opinion• Far away from the

conflict• Had to win, not draw

American BritishAmerican British

No industrial base, few manufactured goodsNo industrial base, few manufactured goods

Weaknesses

• Few weapons or military supplies

• Lack of political unity• No industrial base, few

manufactured goods

• Divided public opinion• Far away from the

conflict• Had to win, not draw • Poor military and

political leadership

American BritishAmerican British

Poor military and political leadershipPoor military and political leadership

Weaknesses

• Few weapons or military supplies

• Lack of political unity• No industrial base, few

manufactured goods• Unreliable, untrained,

undisciplined militia

• Divided public opinion• Far away from the

conflict• Had to win, not draw • Poor military and

political leadership

American BritishAmerican British

Unreliable, untrained, undisciplined militiaUnreliable, untrained, undisciplined militia

Weaknesses

• Few weapons or military supplies

• Lack of political unity• No industrial base, few

manufactured goods• Unreliable, untrained,

undisciplined militia

• Divided public opinion• Far away from the

conflict• Had to win, not draw • Poor military and

political leadership• Vast expanses to

conquer

American BritishAmerican British

Vast expanses to conquerVast expanses to conquer

Weaknesses

• Few weapons or military supplies

• Lack of political unity• No industrial base, few

manufactured goods• Unreliable, untrained,

undisciplined militia• Very little currency

• Divided public opinion• Far away from the

conflict• Had to win, not draw • Poor military and

political leadership• Vast expanses to

conquer

American BritishAmerican British

Very little currency Very little currency