Chapter 7 The American Revolution 1776 -1784

The War for Independence The British greater resources underestimated American capacity to fight assumed small group of disgruntled conspirators Struggled with geography

The Patriot Forces The militia: defense of their homes fought poorly in major battles (until Valley Forge) chronic shortages of food and pay developed national community.

The Loyalists Between a fifth and a third of population remained loyal to the Crown Targeted by the Patriots Approx. 50,000 fought for the king Approx. 80,000 fled the country after war

Women and the War Ran the family farms and businesses Joined their men in the military camps On rare occasions, women played roles on the battlefields (“Molly Pitcher”)

The Campaign for New York and New Jersey Washington driven out of New York City and pursued across New Jersey Victories at Trenton and Princeton Why is this significant? Washington now adopts a defensive strategy

The Northern Campaigns of 1777 British Plan: Cut New England off from the rest of the colonies Why is this significant? The Three Prong Attack at Albany: General Burgoyne marches south from Canada General Howe marches north from PA. General St. Ledger marches from the west

3 Prong Attack

The Northern Campaigns of 1777 Washington loses Philadelphia! Flees to Valley Forge Continental Congress forced to flee, but continues to function General Howe settles in at Philadelphia Three Prong Attack fails: Battle of Saratoga Why is this significant?

Meanwhile, back at Valley Forge…. Approximately 11,000 men with Washington 7000 sick 2,500 die 1000 desert 50 officers resign General Von Steuben arrives Five months later, Washington commanded a much stronger and united army

A Global Conflict The victory at Saratoga: led to an alliance with France Provided men and resources 1779 Spain joins the war, informal alliance wages campaigns on the Gulf Coast and in the Mississippi Valley The war at sea was mainly fought between British and French vessels

Indian Peoples and the Revolution in the West Although many Indians preferred a policy of neutrality: fears of American expansion led many to side with Britain Thousands of frontier civilians died at native hands

The War in the South By the late 1770s, the British had shifted their focus to the South: Captured Savannah and Charleston Violence between Loyalists and Patriots Patriot militias won battles at Kings Mountain and Cowpens Lost at Camden & Guilford Courthouse General Nathaniel Greene leads British General Cornwallis north, and into a trap

The Yorktown Surrender In 1781, Washington led 16,000 French and American troops south to Virginia The French navy trapped Cornwallis at Yorktown After weeks of siege, the British surrendered on October 19, 1781. King George III, reluctantly opens peace negotiations

Battle of Yorktown

The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis

The Toll of the War More than 25,000 Americans died in the war About 24,000 British deaths About 10,000 French deaths England, America, and France all in debt (France’s debt crisis becomes a factor leading to the French Revolution)