1. The Early Years of the war
Chapter 7, Section 1

2. Key terms George Washington – commander of the Continental Army
Mercenary – a professional soldier hired to fight for a foreign country
Strategy – an overall plan of action
Rendezvous – a meeting
Battles of Saratoga – a series of conflicts between British soldiers and the Continental Army in 1777 that proved to be a turning point in the Revolutionary War

3. Bell ringer
These questions will help you understand the important early battles.
Look at the map (also on page 195). Where are the earliest battles of the Revolution?
What major city did the British win?

4. How were the early years of the war a critical time?
Declaration of
Independence
In 1776, Americans declared their independence. But they were not yet free.
First, they had to defeat one of the world’s most powerful nations.

5. How did the effects of the war widen?
While Continental soldiers faced battle in the thirteen colonies, many people in other places also felt the war’s effects.
American Revolution
Native
Americans
Western
settlers
Women
African
Americans

6. Americans divided 20-30% of Americans were Loyalist
Cities
New York
the South
40-45% of Americans were Patriot
New England and Virginia
Others were neutral
Most Americans did not support the Revolution
Native Americans and African Americans were split

7. African Americans fought on both sides during the American Revolution.
Patriots
British

8. Free African Americans fought for the Patriots from the beginning, seeing action at several key battles.
Lexington and Concord
Bunker Hill
Saratoga
Some enslaved people also supported the Americans after escaping from their owners.

9. If they fought for the British, however, enslaved people were offered something of immense value.
Freedom
To gain their freedom, thousands of enslaved Americans fled their owners and joined the British.

10. At first, George Washington refused to accept African American soldiers.
Washington reversed his policy, however, after so many African Americans began to join the British forces.
By the end of the war, more than 7,000 African Americans had fought for the Patriots.

11. Those on the western frontier also felt the war’s effects.
British
Native
Americans
Most Native Americans sided with the British, fearing an American victory would bring more settlers onto their lands.

12. A deadly epidemic added to the crushing effects of war.
Many Indian groups, however, were bitterly divided about which side to support. Some split into warring factions.
A deadly epidemic added to the crushing effects of war.
Infighting
Western
raids
Smallpox
Native Americans

13. Americans divided
1. What were the major positions among colonists concerning independence?
Most Americans did not support the Revolution
40% Patriot, 20% Loyalist, 40% neutral
2. How did the issue of revolution affect Native Americans and African Americans?
They fought on both sides
Native Americans were afraid of losing their land if Americans won
British offered freedom to any enslaved person who joined

14. Detail of lithograph by Thomas McKenney (produced between 1836-1844).
Americans divided
We desire you will hear and receive what we have now told you, and that you will open a good ear and listen to what we are now going to say. This is a family quarrel between us and Old England. You Indians are not concerned in it. We don't wish you to take up the hatchet against the king's troops. We desire you to remain at home, and not join on either side, but keep the hatchet buried deep." —The Second Continental Congress, Speech to the Six Nations, July 13, 1775
Joseph Brant or Thayendanegea, Mohawk chief, led four of the "Six Nations" against the American rebels.
Detail of lithograph by Thomas McKenney (produced between ).

15. Creating an army
3. What problems challenged Washington in raising an army?
Not everyone supported the war
Men didn’t stay long
Soldiers needed everything – blankets, shoes, food, guns, ammunition
4. How did Washington try to solve the problem of leading a small, inexperienced force against a large professional army?
His goal was survival until he could build a larger army
“Could I have foreseen what I have, and am likely to experience, no consideration upon earth should have induced me to accept this command.” – George Washington

16. Women, too, were affected by the war, often taking on new responsibilities.
At home, women:
planted crops
tended livestock
ran businesses
Men who
enlisted were
away for at
least one year

17. Some women followed their husbands into battle.
They provided supplies, food, and water. They cared for the wounded.
Some, like Molly Pitcher, stepped in to fight when her husband fell.

18. As the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, a large British fleet landed in New York.
The fleet was commanded by Sir William Howe.
Howe gathered his forces on Staten Island and prepared to attack the Continental army.

19. George Washington expected the attack
George Washington expected the attack. But his troops were no match for the British.
Americans
British
20,000 poorly trained volunteers
No navy
Little equipment; few supplies
34,000 professional soldiers
Navy fleet; 10,000 sailors
Well equipped; fully supplied

20. In a series of battles and American retreats, the British drove Washington from New York, across New Jersey, and into Pennsylvania.
British
Americans

21. Spirits were low, and many soldiers deserted.
To boost morale Thomas Paine wrote another pamphlet, The American Crisis, urging Americans to fight for their cause.

23. Though his army was battered, Washington rallied his troops for a surprise attack.
On Christmas night, Washington crossed the Delaware, slipping into New Jersey. His army defeated Hessian mercenaries and British troops in two key battles.
Battle of
Trenton
Battle of
Princeton

24. Washington crossing the delaware
Painted in Düsseldorf, Germany by artist Emanuel Leutze

25. Struggle for the middle states
5. Why did the British want to occupy the coastal cities of the Middle Atlantic states?
So that their navy could land troops and supplies in those cities
From there, they could launch their military campaigns
6. What course did the war take between July and December 1776?
British and American armies fought for New York
British forced Washington to retreat
7. What significant gains did the colonial troops make at Trenton?
Captured or killed more than 900 Hessians
Gained needed supplies
Proved Washington was better than the British had thought
American army gained new recruits

26. Another American victory soon followed.
The British had planned to push toward Albany, New York, from three directions.
British
British
Albany,
New York
New
England
British
They hoped to cut New England off from the rest of the colonies.

27. After suffering heavy losses, Burgoyne surrendered.
Two forces never arrived. The third, coming from Canada, was led by British general John Burgoyne.
Battle of
Saratoga
Americans led by General Horatio Gates surrounded Burgoyne’s troops at Saratoga, New York.
After suffering heavy losses, Burgoyne surrendered.

28. The Revolutionary War, 1775–1777

29. Britain’s strategy/battles along the mohawk
8. What was the British strategy in 1777?
For 3 armies to meet at Albany, NY
Burgoyne from Canada
St. Leger from Lake Ontario
Howe up from NYC
9. How did Howe and St. Leger fail to follow through with the planned strategy?
Howe went to PA instead
St. Leger was tricked and retreated

30. Britain’s strategy/battles along the mohawk
10. Review Howe’s two goals for his invasion of Pennsylvania. Was he successful?
He wanted to invade Philadelphia
He wanted to capture General Washington
No, he captured Philadelphia, but did not capture Washington
11. How did Howe’s and St. Leger’s actions affect Burgoyne?
No one was left to meet up with Burgoyne
He was left solo and his army needed supplies

31. The Battle of Saratoga proved to be a turning point for the Americans.
ended British threat to New England
lifted Patriot spirits
convinced Europeans Americans could win

32. Soon after Saratoga, France agreed to support American independence.
France forms
an alliance with
the Americans
United
States
Eager to weaken Britain, France took the war to Europe, forcing the British to fight on many fronts.

33. Saratoga: A turning point
12. Why did Burgoyne send troops into Vermont?
They were running out of supplies and needed horses
He sent a raiding party in, but they were defeated at the Battle of Bennington
13. What were the two most important results of the colonial victories at the Battles of Saratoga?
It kept the British from isolating New England
It gave the Europeans more confidence to aid America
Turning point of the revolution
14. Which of the two consequences of the Battles of Saratoga was more significant? Why?
European help for the United States

34. The Surrender of Burgoyne, painting by John Trumbull.