The Revolutionary War. American Strengths and Weaknesses Fighting for independence George Washington inspires his men to fight Know the land and terrain.

The Revolutionary

War

American Strengths and Weaknesses• Fighting for

independence• George Washington

inspires his men to fight

• Know the land and terrain

• France and Spain aide the colonies with weapons, supplies and their navy

American Strengths and Weaknesses

• Weren’t a trained military

• Common folk, not military

• Short on money, weapons and supplies to fight a war

British Strengths and Weaknesses

• Experienced professional military

• Outnumbered the Continental Army

• Well supplied with equipment and weapons

British Strengths and Weaknesses

• Not fighting for a cause• Officers are careless and poor

leaders• Cross the Atlantic Ocean to send

men and supplies for the war• Not fighting on known land• The support at home is rather weak

The Strategy of War• American Colonies

– Keep the Colonial Army together

– Washington sought to stretch the British army away from supply lines

– Harass the enemy, defeat the British in a major battle

– Get allies to help win!

• Britain– Seeks to destroy

the Colonial Army– Regain control of

the colonies by region

– Take the fight to the Colonial Army using European war tactics

– Use loyalists support against the colonies

African Americans in the War

• Sought to use the Revolution as a way to end slavery.

• 5,000 black men served in the Continental Army, and hundreds more served on the sea.

• When the war ended, most African Americans were denied the promises of liberty that were written in the Declaration.

Native Americans in the War

It was ironic to Native Americans that the colonists and British were waging a war over land that the indigenous people considered

theirs.

Native Americans remained uninvolved in the conflict between the British and

colonists, but were eventually pulled into the fight.

As one Iroquois stated, “It is true I am tall and strong but I will reserve my strength to

strike those who injure me.”

Women during in the War

Women, whose husbands went off to war, had to assume the

responsibilities that had formerly belonged to men.

Jobs such as farming, bookkeeping and trade became woman’s work

while the men were off battling for independence.

Key Battles of the American Revolution

Battle of Bunker Hill• American troops are on the high

ground of Breed's Hill (the actual location) and are attacked by 2000 British soldiers who storm up the hill.

• The Americans are ordered not to fire until they can see "the whites of their eyes."

• The Americans fought off two attacks by the British.

• A third attack, however, succeeds as the Americans run out of ammunition and are left only with bayonets and stones to defend themselves.

• The British succeed in taking the hill, but at a loss of half their force.

•

Battle of Trenton• Christmas Day, December 1776• Washington's army was in pitiful

condition, and growing weaker. Troops were deserting, it was bitter cold and they lacked food, shoes and blankets.

• Heard from a scout that the Hessians, (German mercenaries) were spending the evening relaxing and enjoying food and wine.

• Washington decided to cross at night and surprise them in the morning.

The famous crossing: Washington and his army cross the Delaware River

at night to attack the Hessian mercenaries at Trenton.

• *Improved morale of Washington’s army. They needed a victory!

The Battle of Saratoga, August- October 1777

• The British are harassed by colonial guerilla forces and surrender

• Saratoga is important because it is a major defeat for the British and shows Europe that the colonies may be able to win the war

Battle of Saratoga• In Paris the victory is

celebrated as if it had been a French victory.

• France recognizes the independence of America and enters the war on the side of the patriots.

• Money and supplies flowed to the American cause, providing Washington's Continental Army support to win.

The Battle of Yorktown, October 1781

• The French help the Continental Army with men, weapons and warships

• The Americans and the French corner the British on a small peninsula and bombard them with cannon fire.

• The British surrender and end the American Revolution.

The End is near !!- Yorktown

• August 1, 1781 - British Gen. Cornwallis and his 10,000 tired soldiers seek rest at the port of Yorktown, Virginia.

• August 14, 1781 - Gen. Washington abruptly changes plans in favor of Yorktown after receiving a letter indicating a 29-ship French fleet with 3000 soldiers is now heading for the Chesapeake Bay near Cornwallis.

• Gen. Washington and Gen. Rochambeau rush their best troops south to Virginia to destroy the British position in Yorktown.

Battle of Yorktown

The British surrender!!!

The Treaty of Paris, 1783

• THE WAR ENDS WITH THESE CONDITIONS• “free, sovereign and independent states”• British must remove all troops from forts • Boundary for United States is the

Mississippi• Loyalist would have rights and property

protected• Captured slaves must be returned to

owners