The War for Independence

The War for IndependenceThe Battles of 1776 to the Treaty of Paris of 1783

Disadvantages of the Continental Army, 1776 - 1783American soldiers were untrained,

and inexperienced – virtually no Americans had served since the French and Indian War in the 1760s.

The Continental had no secure source of food, supplies, or ammunition – never mind actually being paid!

The government under the Articles of Confederation was too weak to demand taxes or implement a draft.

Advantages of the English ArmyEngland had the most powerful

Army and Navy in the World in 1776, bar none.

England had the resources to conduct a war anywhere on the globe, if they maintained the resolve to fight.

Loyalists in the United States – who made up approximately one-third of the population – aided the British

Advantages of the Continental ArmyThe war would be fought on their

territory; they knew the terrain. George Washington’s wisdom. France, Spain, and Holland…Time was on their side.

Americans realized that the longer the war dragged on – and the more money it cost – the more likely the British were to relent.

European Nations France

Spain

Holland

England was a nation with many enemies. Americans hoped to find allies among them.

Time is on our side… The longer the war dragged on, and the more it cost Britain in lives and treasure, the more likely the Americans were to win their Independence. The people of England would not support a costly war to subjugate their own people.

New York City, 1776The Battle for New York City was a rout. After Washington had succeeded in shelling Boston Harbor and chasing the British from New England, the failed defense of New York was a blow to morale.

NATHAN HALE“I only regret that I have but one live to lose for my country!”

The American Crisis, by Thomas Paine

The Battles of Trenton & Princeton

The Continental Congress fled!

During the difficult winter at Valley Forge, the Continental Army was drilled by Baron Friedrich Von Steuben, who instilled a new sense of discipline to the army. Also joining the Continental Army was the Marquis de Lafayette. The support of France would come formally by the end of 1777.

Baron Friedrich von Steuben The Marquis de Lafayette

THE BATTLE OF SARATOGAThe victory over the arrogant and entitled General John Burgoyne was an accomplishment in and of itself; however, the more important result of the Battle of Saratoga was the diplomatic victory: France and Spain had joined the American cause!

France and SpainThe French offered

full military intervention after the Battle of Saratoga – including the support of the French Navy. Americans had no navy at the time.

The Spanish – and later the Dutch – offered financial support.

John Paul Jones

“I have not yet begun to fight!” John Paul Jones defiantly responded to the English request that he surrender. Three hours later, the Bonhomme Richard captured the HMS Serapis.

Savannah (1778) & Charleston (1780)

General Nathaneal Green

Nathaneal Greene was the replacement for Horatio Gates – whose field command was always questionable. Greene led his men in a hit and run campaign against the British – and let Cornwallis on a merry chase!

Rochambeau and De GrasseGeorge Washington was considering

another invasion of New York City in 1781, when word came that Cornwallis had positioned his men on a peninsula in Virginia. Rochambeau, recognizing the potential to trap the English Army, sent word to Admiral De Grasse in the Caribbean that a blockade of the Chesapeake was in order. The siege of Yorktown would result in Cornwallis’ surrender and the end of the war.

John Adams, Ben Franklin, and John Jay negotiate the Treaty of Paris of 1783.

The Treaty of Paris of 1783The United States of America became a

free and independent nation. All of the English territory from the

Mississippi River east – not including Canada – was ceded to the United States.

Florida was given back to Spain. Americans promised to restore the

property of Loyalists in America. The English promised to abandoned all

military posts in the Ohio River Valley.