1. The American Revolution

2. The Early Years Essential Question:
What challenges did the American revolutionaries face at the start of the war?

3. The Opposing Sides
Both sides expected the war for independence to end quickly
Why do you think this was the case?

4. The Loyalists At least one in five Americans were Loyalists (Tories)
Strongest Loyalist support in the Carolinas and Georgia
Weakest Loyalist support in New England

5. The Loyalists Some people remained loyal because
They were members of the Anglican Church headed by King George III
They depended on the British for their jobs
They feared the disorder that would erupt if they challenged an existing government
They felt British offenses were not bad enough to cause armed rebellion
Friends and families were divided over this issue

6. Raising an Army
The Americans placed great value on liberty and personal freedom for citizens
Hesitant to give full power to the Continental Congress
As a result, each state pushed its own interests
Difficult to raise money and a unified army

7. Continental Army
Well trained soldiers who could fight anywhere in the colonies
Depended on the states to recruit or enlist soldiers
George Washington wanted men
to enlist for the duration of the war
Most men enlisted for one year

8. Continental Army

9. Patriot Women
Margaret Corbin took her husband’s place when he died in battle
Molly Pitcher joined her husband in battle and was known for carrying pitchers of water to the soldiers
Deborah Sampson
disguised herself as
a boy and enlisted

10. Making Connections
The Revolutionary War was fought on American soil. How do you think this fact influenced the role of women in the war?
Spies, dressed up as soldiers, worked as nurses, cooks for the army

11. Making Connections

12. Patriot Defeats and Victories
***Most early battles involved few troops. Britain, realizing they would need more troops to defeat the Patriots sent 32,000 troops to New York under the command of General William Howe. He hoped the sheer size of the British army would convince the Patriots to give up. He was soon disappointed.

14. Defeat on Long Island
Outnumbered and outmaneuvered, the Continental Army suffered a serious defeat
Americans showed bravery, but were very low on supplies
Continental Army was forced to retreat to Pennsylvania

15. A Low Point – Winter ( )
Many Patriot soldiers have completed their service and go home
Many soldiers run away
Washington, fearing they would lose the war, pleaded with the Continental Congress to let free African Americans enlist. They had previously not been allowed to join.
Southern States did not want them to join
Feared armed rebellion

16. African Americans Join the Fight
Many states ignore the ban and enlist African Americans
They join because
They believe in the Patriot cause
Needed money
They could earn their freedom

17. American Victories in New Jersey
Washington catches British off guard in Trenton, NJ on Christmas night 1776 and then pushes the British out of Princeton
Washington’s troops gained confidence
The Continental Army won badly needed supplies
New enlistments and reenlistments rose

19. British Plan for Victory
British planned to separate the New England Colonies from the Middle Colonies
Send troops down from Canada
Capture Albany, NY
Take control of the Hudson River

20. Patriots Slow the British
British capture Philadelphia but don’t make it all the way to Albany
British encountered militia groups on their way to Albany and were short on supplies
Patriots led by General Horatio Gates defeated British General Howe at the Battle of Saratoga
Turning point in the war (We might actually win!!)

22. Making Connections
Why were African Americans first banned from serving in the Continental Army?
Answer the Essential Question: What challenges did the American revolutionaries face at the start of the war?

23. The War Continues Essential Question:
How did they US gain allies and aid during the Revolutionary War?

24. Gaining Allies
Even with aid from other nations and individuals, the Patriots had difficulty financing their war for independence
Battle of Saratoga victory encouraged other nations to give support

25. France Benjamin Franklin worked hard to get support from France
In 1788 – French openly announced support for the Americans
Declared war on Britain
Sent money, equipment and troops to America

26. Spain Helped American cause because they don’t like the British
Attack British from southern and western fronts
Do not recognize American independence until after the war

27. Winter at Valley Forge (1777-1778)
Washington and his troops set up camp at Valley Forge and endured terrible conditions
They lacked decent food, clothing, shelter and medicine
Built huts
Several volunteers, including Martha Washington, made clothes and cared for the sick
Biggest challenge was keeping the army together – many men deserted
“Naked and starving as they are, we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity (faithfulness) of the soldiery.” George Washington, Letter to Governor George Clinton, February 16, 1778

29. Money Problems
Continental Congress had no power to raise money through taxes
To pay for the war, the Congress and the states printed hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of paper money
This led to inflation
Amount of bills in circulation grew faster than the supply of gold and silver to back those bills
Therefore, it took more and more money to buy the same amount of goods

31. Life on the Home Front
HAVE YOU EVER TAKEN ON MORE DUTIES AT HOME WHEN ANOTHER PERSON WAS AWAY?

32. Life on the Home Front – Changing Attitudes
Thousands of men were away in military service
Women took charge of their families and ran their husbands’ or their own businesses
The ideals that inspired the American Revolution also caused some women to question their place and treatment in American society
Women argued for equal
educational opportunities and
women’s interests

33. Hopes for Equality
Revolutionary War ideals cause some white Americans to question slavery.
African Americans fought for the American cause and hoped the Revolution would lead to an end to slavery
Virginia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire attempted to abolish slavery but the issue would remain unsettled for many years.

34. Making Connections
How did the war for independence affect slavery in the United States?
What effects did the war have on women?
Answer the Essential Question: How did the United States gain allies and aid during the Revolutionary War?

35. The War Moves West and South
Essential Question:
How did fighting in the West and South affect the course of the War?

36. The British and Native Americans
Most Native Americans sided with the British because they saw them as less of a threat
Mohawk Chief Joseph Brant attacked American settlements in southwestern NY and northern PA
The British paid Native Americans for American scalps
American victory at Vincennes strengthened American position in the West

37. Glory at Sea
Great Britain set up a blockade to prevent the Patriots and their allies from entering or leaving American harbors
Prevented supplies and reinforcements from reaching the American army

38. Privateers
2nd Continental Congress ordered 13 warships to be made. Only 2 made it to sea
The Congress authorized over 2,000 ships to sail as privateers
Privately owned merchant ships
Not hard to find crews (very profitable)
Capture more British ships than the American Navy

39. Struggles in the South
Great Britain hoped that a strong campaign in the South would help the war
Britain began to concentrate their efforts in the South
Initially, their strategy worked

40. British Victories
1780 – British General Henry Clinton attacked Charles Town, South Carolina and took thousands of prisoners
Worse American defeat of the war
Clinton left General Charles Cornwallis in command of British forces in the South
Cornwallis soon realized he could not control the area because of Guerilla warfare and because he received less aid from Loyalists than expected

41. Guerilla Warfare
As British forces moved through countryside, small forces of Patriots attacked them
Hit and run technique caught British off guard
Appeared suddenly
Struck their blows
Disappeared quickly

42. Help From Spain
Governor of Spain gave thousands of dollars to Americans
Opened up the port at New Orleans!
Shipped supplies and ammunition up the Mississippi River
Raised an army to help near the lower Mississippi

44. Making Connections
Why did the Americans need to break the British naval blockade?
Cause and Effect: Using the diagram below, show why the British lost control in the South
Answer the Essential Question: How did fighting in the West and South affect the course of the Revolutionary War?

45. The War Is Won Essential Question:
How did the Battle of Yorktown lead to American Independence?

46. Change in Plans – The Battle of Yorktown
Originally, Washington planned to attack the British in New York City
Secretly, Washington decided to attack the British at Yorktown, Virginia instead
With aid from French troops, they attacked and trapped 8,000 British troops
Cornwallis soon surrendered his troops as well
Yankee Doodle was played to annoy the British as they handed over their weapons
Battle of Yorktown convinced the British that the war was too costly to continue

47. Independence
Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay were sent to negotiate the treaty of Paris (1783)
Great Britain recognized the US as an independent nation
Britain withdrew all troops
The US allowed British merchants to collect their debts
US gave back property taken from Loyalists

48. Washington Resigns
After persuading the Congress to pay soldiers their pensions that had been refused them, Washington retired
“Having now finished the work assigned me I retire…and take my leave of all the employments of public life.”
He returned to Mt. Vernon, Virginia to live quietly with his family

49. Making Connections
Why were the Americans successful in their fight for independence?
Answer the Essential Question: How did the Battle of Yorktown lead to American Independence?
Convinced British that the war was too costly to continue