1. The Revolutionary War War Strategies

2. The War (sections 7.3 and 7.4) British Advantages -Better trained -More $$$$ -Most powerful navy in the world British Disadvantages -British facing hostile citizens -Long way from home (shipping goods) -Hired mercenaries -uniforms Colonial Advantages -Fighting for a cause -Own territory Colonial Disadvantages -No Navy -No trained militia

3. Sources of help –Both sides sought help from others Colonists –Used volunteers »Most not well trained –Should Washington use Slaves? »While some were already fighting, southern colonies opposed the use of slaves »Washington prohibited slaves from serving which caused the British to issue Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation (issued freedom to slave who fought for British) Washington soon changed policy and allowed freed slaves to enlist –Role of women? »Ran farms and businesses »Nurses, spies and messengers

4. British –Got help from Indians (colonists urged Indians to remain neutral) –Use of mercenaries –Fighting Strategy Colonists mostly fought a defensive strategy –(Sept – Jan 1775) Tried to invade Canada (Montgomery and Arnold) »Driven back (loss) –(June 1776) Tried to save New York (Washington) »British (Howe) took it (another American loss)

5. –The Colonists do win some battles Due to Gen. Howe allowing his troops to rest over the Christmas and New Years, Americans strike back and win a few battles –Trenton »Took Hessian troops by surprise on Christmas Night –Princeton »While leaving campfires burning, Washington and troops circled around British troops and attacked from the rear Morale of this story – When you have the military advantage keep going! This cost the British. It will also cost many Union commanders in the Civil War.

6. New British strategy (1777) –In response to defeat at Trenton and Princeton (they were embarrassed) Wanted to cut off New England from the rest of the colonies –Gen. Burgoyne’s troops to march south and take Ft. Ticonderoga –Gen. Howe’s troops to march north out of New York –A force to march east from Lake Ontario »All to Meet at Albany –Upon hearing that Ft. Ticonderoga was captured, Howe changed direction and went towards Philadelphia »Met American army at Brandywine and defeated them (allowed them to retreat) »Meanwhile Burgoyne’s troops defeated at Saratoga

7. The victory at Saratoga brought foreign help into the war –France (alliance made May 1778)-allied with Colonies Marquis de Lafayette –Very passionate about American cause –Spain allied with France in 1779 Mostly in the west –Others Thaddeus Kosciusko & Casimir Pulaski (Poland) –Engineering and military know how Baron Friedrich von Steuben (Prussian) –Helped train troops (Valley Forge) a complete military turnaround

8. Navy –Led by John Paul Jones (a Scotsman) Captured many British supply ships( hit base in Bahamas-to destroy supplies) Ship was called Bonhomme Richard (Gentleman Richard) Said “I have not yet begun to fight” when asked to surrender during a battle with the British (Jones won)- small but mighty War in the West Led by George Rogers Clark –Organized men; took trading villages of Kaskaskia and Cahokia and eventually Vincennes (twice) »Weakened British influence in west and with Indians