Unit 7: Military Conflict Lesson 7._: The American Revolution Part 1

Essential Question How did the military conflicts that arose during the American Revolution help to change the relationship between the British and Americans?

Focus What do you already know about the American Revolution? How did we win? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eytc9ZaNWyc 3 2 1

Key Vocabulary Tory What is a “Tory?” Definition Example/Impact Create a test question.

Opposing Sides American British “…long…and bloody war.” Lacked a regular army and strong navy. Lacked military experience. Weapons and ammunition were in short supply. Most soldiers were volunteers and fought for a short period of time. Population: 2.5 million. Predicted a short war. Strongest navy in the world. Experienced, well-trained army. Soldiers made the military a career. Population: 8 million.

Assessment Prompt 1 British American

An American Struggle Not all Americans supported the fight for independence. Some were neutral (did not choose a side). For example, the Quakers would not participate in war because they did not believe in armed war. Others remained loyal to England.

Loyalists or Tories Loyalists, or Tories, remained loyal to Britain and opposed the War for Independence. About 1 in 4 Americans was a Loyalist. Some changed sides during the war depending on which army was winning. Most Loyalists were from the Carolinas and Georgia. Few Loyalists were in New England.

Why were they Loyalists? They were members of the Anglican Church. Jobs. Fear of consequences. They did not understand what the big deal was about gaining independence.

Treatment of Loyalists Every state had Loyalists. Some fought with the British as well as spying on the Patriots. Many fled America to England, Florida, or beyond the Appalachian Mountains to Canada. Those who remained faced difficult times. They could be arrested for treason. A few were even executed.

Assessment Prompt 2 Five words: Tory/Loyalist

Patriot Advantages Patriots British Problems Fighting on their own land. More at stake than British soldiers and Hessians. Freedom of their land vs. money. George Washington. Courage, honesty, and determination. Fighting in a faraway land. Forced to ship soldiers and supplies thousands of miles. Relied on mercenaries, hired soldiers. Called Hessians after a region in Germany where most of them came from.

Assessment Prompt 3 Summarize the advantages of the Patriots in one sentence.

Raising an Army Continental Army Militia Each state had their own. Established by the Continental Congress. Difficulty raising money and enlisting soldiers. Relied on states to recruit soldiers. At first, one year military service when enlisting. Washington said he needed more commitment. Enlistments offered for three years or length of the war. Most soldiers still only signed up for a year. Each state had their own. Locals who were not trained. Only would fight within their own state. Fought for the special interests of their state.

African Americans in the Revolution The British offered enslaved people freedom if they would fight for them. Many ended up free men in Canada and Sierra Leone. Washington asked Congress to allow African Americans to enlist because of the desperate need for troops. Southern states protested with fear of slaves with guns and possible revolts.

Some states ignored the ban. Rhode Island had an all-African American regiment by 1778. South Carolina was the only state not to enlist African Americans. There were about 5000 African American Patriots. They fought for the same reason as other Americans. Some were runaway slaves, while others fought for their freedom.

Assessment Prompt 4 Create a test question about African Americans during the American Revolution.

Trenton and Princeton British army settled in New York for winter of 1776 with some troops in New Jersey. Wars usually paused for the winter, so British did not expect to fight. Washington saw the British across Delaware River and decided he could catch them off guard. Christmas 1776: Washington crossed the Delaware River at night and surprised British at Trenton, NJ.

Battle of Trenton

Americans captured more than 900 Hessians. British sent Lord Charles Cornwallis with reinforcements, but Washington led his troops away. Washington then marched towards Princeton, NJ and drove away British. Changed mindset of American Patriots to having hope again.

Assessment Prompt 4: Trenton & Princeton

The Crossing 3 2 1 What did you learn about the Battle of Trenton from the video that you did not know? What did you like/dislike about the video? Would you recommend the video for a USH class that is learning about the difficulties in fighting the American Revolutionary War?

Journal, Part 1 In your own words summarize what you have learned today. In fighting a war, what were advantages/disadvantages for both the British and Americans? Why did some colonists remain loyal to the British? What role did African Americans play during the Revolution? How was Washington able to achieve victory during the Battle of Trenton? What is the significance of Washington’s victory at Trenton?

Focus In fighting a war, what were advantages/disadvantages for both the British and Americans? Why did some colonists remain loyal to the British? What role did African Americans play during the Revolution? What state had an all African American Regiment? Which state refused to enlist African Americans? Why did Washington decide to take the risk and attack the Hessians at Trenton? How was Washington able to achieve victory during the Battle of Trenton?

What do you think the “Battle of Saratoga” is? Key Vocabulary Battle of Saratoga What do you think the “Battle of Saratoga” is? Definition. Examples/Impact. Create a test question.

The British Plan for Victory 1777 To control Albany, NY and control Hudson River (would separate NE and Middle colonies) Three sets of troops would meet in Albany and destroy the Patriot troops

Who would attack and from where? General John Burgoyne with 8,000 troops from Canada Lieutenant Colonel Barry St. Leger from Lake Ontario General William Howe from New York City

Assessment Prompt 1 Summarize the British Plan for victory in one sentence.

What happened to the British plan? General Howe planned to take Philadelphia before going to Albany September 1777, Howe’s troops won 2 battles near Philly and captured the capital Forced Continental Congress to flee After being attacked by Washington , Howe decided to postpone his move to Albany and spend winter in Philadelphia

St. Leger’s advance was stopped by American forces, led by Benedict Arnold, at Fort Stanwix, NY, forcing British troops to retreat

Burgoyne, who loved good food and fine clothes, was known for traveling with luxury goods Because of his 30 wagons of luxury, his army moved slowly through dense forests Americans blocked path by chopping down trees

Burgoyne’s troops need food and supplies Sent 800 troops and Native Americans to capture American supplies at Bennington, Vermont British troops’ uniforms made them easy targets in woods, and were attacked by the Green Mountain Boys Losing troops and being short on supplies caused Burgoyne to retreat to Saratoga in NY

Assessment Prompt 2 Write a quick note to your buddy about what happened to the British plans to take Albany, NY.

Green Mountain Boys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4KcJTP8nW8

Battle of Saratoga Burgoyne expected to be joined by other British forces at Saratoga, but they weren’t there General Horatio Gates and American troops blocked his path south Burgoyne was surrounded by American army 3 times the size of his own Made a desperate attack on October 7, but Americans remained strong http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s49MbxC8i w0

Burgoyne surrendered on October 17, 1777 5,700 British soldiers hand over their weapons as a band played “Yankee Doodle” Plan to separate NE from Middle Colonies had failed Soon afterward, General Howe resigned from commander of troops in America and replaced by General Henry Clinton

America Gains Allies Victory at Saratoga, not only boosted American spirits, but also caused European nations to realize America had a chance Ben Franklin had been in France for over a year by end of 1777 trying to gain friends and assistance France gave US money secretly, but did not commit to an alliance

France Becomes an Ally News of Saratoga arrived to Paris in early 1778 French and Americans made trade agreement and alliance in February 1778 France declared war on England and sent money, equipment, and troops to help American cause https://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=IzRhFH5OyHo

Assessment Prompt 3: Battle of Saratoga

Valley Forge http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtb9W3mPVtE 20 miles west of Philadelphia, where British set up camp for winter 1777 Word had not arrived of French-American alliance Conditions horrible for Americans Many men deserted the Continental Army Troops somehow survived the harsh winter April 1778, word of alliance was shared and new soldiers joined

Assessment Prompt 4: Valley Forge 5 words

Marquis de Lafayette French nobleman who spent winter at Valley Forge Declaration of Independence made him want to buy a boat and sail to America to join the cause Offered his services and those of his followers to Washington Became a trusted aide to Washington

Friedrich von Steuben Former army officer from Germany Drilled American troops at Valley forge, teaching them military discipline Turned Continental Army into a more effective fighting force His methods are still used today in drills for the military, but were the standard through the War of 1812

Assessment Prompt 5 Two sentences: 1: Lafayette 2: von Steuben

Journal, Part 2 Summarize the British Plan for Victory. What role did Benedict Arnold and the Green Mountain boys play in regard to Britains plan for victory? What is the significance of the Battle of Saratoga? Who was Marquis De Lafayette? What role did Friedrick von Steuben play in regard to the success of American forces?