End of Revolutionary War 1777 Student News

Learning Stations: Station 1 (Diamonds): Guided notes. Be sure to access the class website. All students must complete the guided notes Station 2 (Clubs): Get your work out of the bin and organize your binder. Organized binder = quiz grade Station 3 (Clovers/ Saratoga): Video Link on website/ Paper in station. Answer the questions. Station 4 (Hearts/Yorktown): Video Link on website/ Paper in station. Answer the questions.

Review: 1777 Britain captured Philadelphia, but lost a pivotal battle in Saratoga, New York (turning point of the war)

Winter 1777-1778 The Continental Army stayed in Valley Forge, PA (18 miles from Philadelphia) Goals: 1. keep an eye on British 2. prevent raids on the countryside

Baron Von Steuben A Prussian military officer from Europe offered to train Washington’s troops and provide leadership in the Continental Army

The Training Begins Baron Von Steuben taught Continental soldiers European fighting tactics- the army that emerged from Valley Forge was professional, sophisticated, and organized

Republican Soldiers Von Steuben noticed that American soldiers were different than European soldiers European soldiers were known for having “blind obedience” or following orders without asking questions American soldiers needed to know why they should follow orders, then if they were convinced, would follow the command

Emerging from Valley Forge 2500 men died of disease over the winter Desperate soldiers resorted to desertion to escape horrible conditions Continentals raided farms for livestock and grain in exchange for IOUs

British: Change in Strategy/General Generals Howe/ Burgoyne both resigned after Saratoga- King ordered troops to abandon Philadelphia and move to NYC

Battle of Monmouth On the way from Philadelphia to NYC, Washington intercepted British troops in Monmouth, NJ

Molly Pitcher (Mary Ludwig) was the woman who supposedly took her husband’s place operating a cannon during the Battle of Monmouth. The truth of the event has been disputed, but the legend of her sacrifice has lived on and is the symbol of the important role women played during the Revolutionary War

Result: Battle of Monmouth The battle was a tie, but benefitted the Continental Army in 2 ways: Confirmed G.W’s leadership Renewed the public’s spirit for the war

British: The Southern Strategy In 1778, the British Army decided to move the fight to the South because it was believed that there were many loyalists there

Georgia and South Carolina Between 1778 and 1780, Britain captured the lower South, but did not gain the support of loyalists

September 28th- 1781 Battle of Yorktown Begins On this day in 1781, General George Washington, commanding a force of 17,000 French and Continental troops, begins the siege known as the Battle of Yorktown against British General Lord Charles Cornwallis and a contingent of 9,000 British troops at Yorktown, Virginia, in the most important battle of the Revolutionary War. By September 28, Washington had completely encircled Cornwallis and Yorktown with the combined forces of Continental and French troops. After three weeks of non-stop bombardment, both day and night, from cannon and artillery, Cornwallis surrendered to Washington in the field at Yorktown on October 17, 1781, effectively ending the War for Independence. Patriot victory at Yorktown ended fighting in the American colonies. Peace negotiations began in 1782, and on September 3, 1783, the Treaty of Pariswas signed, formally recognizing the United States as a free and independent nation after eight years of war.   

After 8 years of fighting, the war ended and the colonies were granted independence The American colonies won all land south of the Great Lakes and east of the Mississippi River Treaty of Paris 1783

How Did The Colonies Win? Good leadership and strategy Support from France: experienced officers, a navy, money, supplies