American Revolution Part III: 1776-1783

Battle of New York (Aug-Nov 1776) British General William Howe invaded New York City Defeated Washington’s poorly trained troops on Long Island Americans lucky to escape destruction Low point for Revolution: Morale down, Most soldiers’ enlistments up at end of 1776 Unlikely to re-enlist for another year

Trenton and Princeton Battle of Trenton: (Christmas 1776) Washington crossed Delaware River to surprise Hessians *Huge American victory Loss of 4 men; captured 900 Hessians Battle of Princeton: (Jan. 1777) Washington defeats British Gen. Charles Cornwallis *Morale and enlistments increased

*Battle of Saratoga (1777) British hoped to cut New England off from the other states by capturing Hudson River *Major American victory and Turning Point of the War French now openly proclaimed themselves allies Feb. 1778: Signed Treaty of Alliance Needed Money, supplies, troops and *Navy

Valley Forge (Winter 1777-78) Inadequately fed and clothed, Washington held his army together with great difficulty

War in the South (1778-1781) British invaded and occupied important cities of Savannah, GA and Charlestown, SC Mostly because of militia, unable to defeat Americans in countryside “Swamp Fox” Francis Marion Uses guerilla tactics to defeat British Basis for “The Patriot” General Cornwallis withdraws to Yorktown, VA

Yorktown: Final Victory (1781) Cornwallis attempted to link up with British General (American traitor) Benedict Arnold Washington’s army, with help from the French Army under Marquis de Lafayette and General Rochambeau trapped the British French Navy under Admiral de Grasse cut off British escape to the sea

Cornwallis surrenders 8,500 troops

How Americans Won Fighting on home soil and for a cause American Militia: Guerilla Tactics Superior wilderness fighters Leadership: Washington, George Rogers Clark, Layfayette, etc. *Foreign aid France especially, also Netherlands, Spain, Germany

Treaty of Paris (1783) Negotiated by Ben Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams Britain recognizes independence of 13 states Borders: North: Canada and Great Lakes South: Spanish Florida West: Mississippi River