1. The American Revolutionary War (1775-1781)

2. British Advantages Over the Americans A. Brits had greater numbers of troops. 48,000 British soldiers + 30,000 Hessians Americans had no standing army. B. Brits had an organized navy. C. Brits were used to American soil. D. The Brits had no European wars going on at this time. E. About 1/3 of the people in America were loyal Tories

3. Issues for the British A. Logistics B. Would population go for a long war? A. No new taxes – however, that would come with war B. Many said good riddance to the colonies

4. Organization of American Military Effort Washington chosen to lead for a couple of reasons.  Good commander  He’s from Virginia Had a foundation to build on with the colonial militias.  Many were French-Indian War vets. Asked men to enlist for 1 yr terms.

5. War in 1776 Boston abandoned  Benedict Arnold & Ethan Allen at Ft Ticonderoga New York is captured by British  Plan was to split the colonies – control the Hudson River  Warm water port (didn’t freeze in winter) By late 1776, Washington’s army went from 23,000 men to 7,000 American victory at Trenton

6. Delaware Crossing

7. War in 1777 –the 3 Pronged Attack 3 British armies  Howe – NYC – north to Albany  St. Leger – Montreal - SW to Lake Ontario then east to Albany  Burgoyne – Montreal – South to Albany Cut off New England

8. Results of 3 Pronged Attack What happened  Howe attacks Philadelphia  St. Leger was defeated at Oriskany  Burgoyne defeated at Saratoga Turning Point of the War Why?

9. Treaties with French – Spring 1778 Treaty of Amity and Commerce  French recognize American Independence  Establish trade ties Treaty of Alliance  Established a military alliance  Neither France nor America would negotiate a separate peace treaty with the Brits.  France declared war – June, 1778.

10. Two Important Foreign Generals Marquis de Lafayette Baron von Steuben (pronounced Stoy-ban)

11. Entering the Southern Phase - 1779 Hoped to find loyalists in South  Shifted focus in 1779 Brits take Charleston, SC in 1780 The South was much more of a patriot v. loyalist (Tories) fight British army chases Americans who use hit and run tactics  Battle of Cowpens Tarleton v. Morgan

12. Problems on Both Sides Neither side could sustain a war much longer. American issues 1780-81  Can’t pay troops  Led to mutinies, decline in recruiting  Could not hold the army together much longer B. British Issues 1780-81  Too expensive to fight  Protestants and Catholics civil war brewing

13. Yorktown – Oct 1781 Cornwallis camps on peninsula French fleet in West Indies (led by DeGrasse). Washington & Rochambeau from NY Lafayette from Maryland French blockaded Yorktown. Washington laid siege to the town - 7 days Cornwallis surrendered

14. Treaty of Paris Treaty of Paris (1783)  Brits and Americans work out their own deal Terms  The Brits… recognize American Independence evacuate American territory east of the Mississippi. return confiscated slaves.  American had to… Pay pre-war debts Among other things