Fighting for Liberty on Many Fronts Ch. 6 Section 4 and 5

Women take part in the war Women took the jobs of men when they left for war Helping the Army Many women joined husbands on the front Cared for wounded, washed clothes Very few women took part in battle New Attitudes Women began to think differently about their rights Most men in congress agreed that women should not be treated equally

African Americans face hard choices By 1776, half a million Americans lived in Colonies Joining the fight About 5000 African Americans were in the Army Some special regiments, other served as drummers or guides in white regiments Enslaved African Americans faced difficult choices They could stay as slaves or fight in the army and risk being capatured They could flee to the British Army for freedom and risk being hanged by angry patriots

African Americans face hard choices (cont.) Many slaves took the second option, fled to the British army in search of freedom Black patriots thought the revolution would bring an end to slavery “All men are created equal” Some white leaders did as well Slavery declining by 1770s in the north Some states moved to get rid of slavery, others began to debate the issue

Winning the War in the South Fighting in the South Main battleground of the war in 1778 Patriots vs. Loyalists Launched violent raids against each other Attacks caused more to side with Patriots Battle of Cowpens – American victory Generals Nathanael Green and Daniel Morgan were instrumental in securing the south

Victory at Yorktown Cornwallis planned to take Virginia and cut off supply lines to the south An American Traitor September 1780 – Arnold betrays American cause Angry that he had not received enough credit for victories and needed money Secretly agrees to turn Westpoint over to the British Arnolds betrayal enraged patriots Jefferson offered a sizeable reward for his capture

Victory at Yorktown (cont.) Battle at Yorktown Early success for Cornwallis at Charlottesville Troops under Lafayette fought back with raids Cornwallis’ mistake: Disregarded order to send part of army to New York; retreats to Yorktown Peninsula Washington saw opportunity: Brought troops from NY to trap Cornwallis on Peninsula French fleet blocked the exit to the sea Cornwallis stuck between Washington’s troops and the fleet

The British Surrender End of September 1781 – 16,000 troops siege Cornwallis’ 8,000 at Yorktwon Siege – when an army surrounds and blockades an enemy position in an attempt to capture it Cornwallis and troops held out for several weeks, but ultimately lost October 19 th, 1781 – Battle of Yorktown is over, the war is over

The Peace Treaty Treaty of Paris – Treaty that ended the Revolutionary War Because British were eager to end the war, Americans got most of what they wanted British recognized U.S as independent Nation From the Atlantic ocean to the Mississippi River Northern Border at Great Lakes, Southern Border at Florida, which was returned to Spain April 15 th, 1783 – Congress Ratified - approved, the Treaty of Paris

Why the Americans Won Geography Americans were spread out British had to supply troops thousands of miles away Foreign Help Help from French, Spanish was crucial Military as well as financial aid Americans’ growing Patriotism Despite setbacks early, patriots battled on Gradually, Washington’s troops learned what they needed to, Washington became respected General