AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Vocab review
Patriots – Americans who supported independence
Advantages – fighting on home ground, ideals, Washington was commander
Disadvantages – no regular army or strong navy, few weapons
Loyalists (Tories) – Americans who did NOT support independence,
strongest in the Carolinas and Georgia
British Advantages – strong Army and Navy, military supplies, wealthDisadvantages – fighting far away from home, supplies and
soldiers had to be shippedBritain hired mercenaries (Hessians) to help
fight against the Americans. The Hessians were fighting for the money they
were paid.
Fort Ticonderoga – May 10th, 1775 New York
Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen led the Green Mountain Boys in an attack on the British Fort
Surprised the older British soldiers there and forced them to surrender
Gave the Patriots some much needed ammunition and cannons (100)
Battle of Bunker Hill – July 17, 1778 – Boston, MA
British commander – General William Howe
American commander – General Prescott
Americans were occupying a hill outside Boston. British decided to attack the hill. The 1st and 2nd attempt failed. The 3rd attempt was only successful because the Americans ran out of ammo.
Famous order from American commander: “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.” Americans proved they could fight
the well trained British army.
Battle of Trenton – December 26th, 1776 – Trenton, NJ
American commander – General Washington Hessian commander – Colonel Johann Rall
Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night (stormy, cold, difficult and snowing).
Hessian regiments were isolated and couldn’t coordinate. They became surrounded and surrendered.
Although the battle was small it gave the continental army a much needed boost in confidence. They believed they could defeat the Europeans.
This led to increased enlistment into the Continental Army.
After the Christmas attack the British, led by General Howe, planned
to take control of the American capital inPhiladelphia.
Battle of Saratoga – Sept. 17, 1777 – Saratoga, NY
British General John Burgoyne wanted to cut the New England colonies off from the rest of the colonies by taking control of NY.
Planned to attack from multiple sides. By the time Burgoyne (supplies running low) , American General Horatio Gates was waiting.
Burgoyne’s men were starving and went hunting after hearing wild turkeys near by.
There were not turkeys. It was actually American Daniel Morgan making a turkey call.
The men engaged. Burgoyne was never able to reach his point in NY.
The American victory ended the British threat and lifted American spirits. It convinced other Europeans that the Americans had a chance at winning leading France to become our ally.
This battle changes Benedict’s loyalties after feeling he should have gotten the credit.
Valley Forge – Winter 1777-1778Lack of food, supplies and clothingHarsh Winter
Washington wasLosing the faith of His troops.
Soldiers deserted
Washington brought in Europeans to help
Help from Overseas
France Marquis de Lafayette Washington’s right hand man
Germany Friedrich Von Steuben Trained the military
Spain Juan de Miralles Sent money
Allies France
Declared War on Britain 1778 Sent money
Spain Declared war on Britain 1779
Battle of Yorktown – Sept-Oct 1781 – Yorktown, VA
American commander – General Washington
French commander – General Rochambeau
British commander – General Lord Cornwallis
16,100 American and French soldiers – 6,000 British soldiers
Cornwallis was waiting on the peninsula for fresh supplies and reinforcements
Washington and Lafayette blocked the British on land while the French navy blocked the British by sea.
After 3 weeks of non-stop bombardment, Cornwallis surrendered to Washington in the field at Yorktown.
Cornwall did not attend the formal surrender but sent his General O’Hara instead. Tried to surrender to French but they declined and sent him to Washington.
Yorktown ended the fighting in the American colonies.
Negotiations began in France
The Treaty of Paris (#2) was signed and officially ended the war.
Treaty Of Paris
1.• Colonies can fish off the coast of Canada• U.S recognized as an independent nation
2.• Land from Atlantic to Mississippi
3.
• British withdraw from all American Territory• British Merchants can collect debt• Loyalists gain land back
Reason's for Defeat of British
British Supplies running low
Out numbered 7, 500 troops compared to 14, 000 French and
Patriot
Clinton's army in New York waiting for the
French
Fought on own land
Seige of Yorktown
Help from other
Nations
Was a Peoples
movement
British depended on the sea
Why Americans won the war
Women in Battle
Women took arms in many cases too such as Margaret Corbin,
Molly Pitcher, and Deborah Sampson
Home Front Women
Question place in society Abigail Adams fought for women’s rights
Told her husband – Remember the ladies
Loyalists Shunned Flee colonies Mob violence Arrested (sometimes executed)
Equality African Americans (Questioned Slavery)
African- Americans
There were also African American soldiers such as Lemuel Hayes and
Peter Salem
Nathan Hale – Patriot who worked as a spy on the British, was caught and hung.
I regret I have but one life to give.