The War Continued Week of December 13, 2010 American Revolution The War Continued Week of December 13, 2010

Note #1) Military Leadership Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army was General George Washington. The British military had several Major Generals during the war. General Charles Cornwallis is one of the most well-known due to his army's devastating surrender at Yorktown.

Note #2) Lacking Supplies At the time, armies usually stopped fighting during the winter months of the year due to the harsh conditions. During the winter of 1776-1777, many of the continental troops either went home or deserted the army. This was due to a lack of clothes, blankets, shoes, and most supplies. Determined to win, General Washington and 2,400 of his troops planned a surprise attack on British troops to take place on Christmas night 1776. Washington's surprise attack captured 900 mercenaries and raised the spirits of the colonists.

Note #3) Turning Point Despite Washington's successful surprise attack, most people still had doubts about the continental army being able to compete with the British. The battle of Saratoga took place in October, 1777. The continental army out-maneuvered the British and trapped 5,700 British troops forcing them to hand over their weapons. Victory at The Battle of Saratoga made the rest of the world realize that the colonists actually had a chance to win the American revolution. This marked a turning point in the war.

Note #4) Winter As winter arrived, the continental army suffered another shortage of necessary supplies such as food, clothing, and shelter. Washington's biggest worry was just keeping his army together and making it through the winter. Conditions began to improve when woman volunteers assisted the troops by making clothes and gathering other helpful supplies.

Note #5) France The colonists decided they would go to the french for help because they were a world power and bitter enemies with the British. In February of 1778, the French and Americans worked out a trade agreement and became allies. France officially declared war against Britain, and sent supplies, money, and men to the colonies.

Note #6) Spring In April of 1778, Washington and his men found out about the French giving their support to the colonists. This lifted the spirits of the troops and once again the colonists had new life in this war. As other countries learned of the French/American Alliance, they began to support the colonies as well. Some of these countries were Spain, Cuba, Mexico, and a few other European countries.

Note #7) Guerrilla Warfare Early on, the British had planned on eventually bringing the colonies back into the control of their empire, so they avoided using any brutal war tactics. As the British realized they could possibly even lose the war, they switched to a hard-hitting offensive strategy to finish the war. Despite their change in strategy, the british were caught off guard by small forces of Patriots that would suddenly appear, strike their blow, and disappear.

Note #8) Yorktown This is the site in Virginia where one of the final battles of the American revolution was fought. Due to great tactics by Washington, the colonists were able to win this battle. Washington Knew that the French were arriving by sea, so he put his full effort into fighting the British from one side to push them toward the sea. The unknowing British General Cornwallis did not expect the French arrival and fell right into Washington's trap. Cornwallis and his troops were greatly outnumbered and had no other choice but to hand over their weapons and surrender.

Note #9) Treaty of Paris After Yorktown, The British were convinced that the war was too costly to pursue and decided to grant independence to the colonies. The two sides sent officials to paris to work out a treaty which would mark an official end to the war and complete independence for the American colonies. Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams represented the colonies in Paris. When the treaty was signed by both sides, America was finally looked at as an independent nation.

Note #10) How the continental army defeated the strongest military power in the world- Home-Court Advantage Gaining support from the French and other countries. Washington's Leadership The Patriot Spirit