The Early Years of the War

Set-Up Cornell Notes (IN Pages 107-108) Title: The Early Years of the War Essential Question: How well did the British & American war strategies work during the beginning of the war?

Warm-Up (IN Page 97 TOP) Use Complete Sentences! General Washington & his troops in their winter camp at Valley Forge Describe the weather and the men’s clothing & physical condition in the painting. How might physical hardship affect a soldier’s loyalty & ability to fight?

Americans Divided ‘Merica!!! Patriots Loyalists ‘Merica!!! New England & Virginia had lots of Patriots Supported the King Large cities, New York & the South had lots of Loyalists Many worked for the British government or were clergy for the Church of England

Native Americans Some fought with the British and others with the Patriots Many feared they would lose their land if the British lost

African Americans Slave owners initially feared their slaves would revolt if they were given guns to fight so they were not allowed to enlist After the British offered freedom to any slave willing to fight, many ran away in hopes of gaining freedom Once the British began using African American soldiers, the Continental Army enlisted 5,000 African Americans

Warm-Up (IN Page 96 BOTTOM) Many Loyalists worked in which type of jobs? Many Loyalists worked as… Why did the Continental Army not enlist African Americans in the beginning? The Continental Army did not enlist African Americans in the beginning because… How many African Americans joined the Continental Army? There were _______ African Americans in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. How did women contribute to the war effort? Women contributed to the war effort by…

Comparing Strategies Creating an Army: Washington’s Strategy: Take notes about the hardships faced by Washington when creating the Continental Army Take notes about the role of women in the Revolutionary War Pages 194-195 Washington’s Strategy: Take notes about Washington’s strategy (page 195 TOP) Britain’s Strategy: Take notes about the British war strategy Take notes about what Burgoyne, Howe & St. Leger were doing Pages 196-197

Creating an Army The Continental Army never numbered more than 17,000 men Men were inexperienced & the army was short on supplies The enlistment period was short (1 year). After their enlistment they went home. Women followed their husbands into the battlefield and cooked, did laundry & nursed sick or wounded soldiers Deborah Sampson

Washington’s Strategy While the British wanted a big win to force an American surrender, Washington wanted only to survive Washington knew he couldn’t win a major battle yet so he just wanted to avoid a crushing defeat

Britain’s Strategy The British Army wanted to take the Hudson River Valley to cut off New England to other states Three armies would meet in Albany, New York General John Burgoyne would lead a force south from Canada Lt. Colonel Barry St. Leger would lead his army from Lake Ontario down the Mohawk Valley General Howe was to follow the Hudson north from New York City

Britain’s Strategy The three men and their armies never met in Albany, New York General Howe tried to capture Washington in Pennsylvania (Battle of Brandywine) and later in Germantown The British won both battles but failed to capture Washington

Battles Along the Mohawk Benedict Arnold led an army up the Mohawk River hoping to chase the British away He tricked the British into thinking they were outnumbered and they retreated leaving behind their camp

First Repetition Use our code marking system to: Highlight important facts Circle Key Words Put (*) next to possible test questions Put (?) next to things you didn’t understand, then- ASK ME!

Comparing Armies Follow-Up (IN Page 100 TOP) Based on the information in your chart on page 99, which army would have been more likely to win the war? Explain your answer using details from your chart. (Minimum 3 sentences!!!)

Gentleman’s War Term which refers to a conduct of combat, loosely applying to the 17th through 19th century, in which battles were orderly fought, with opposite sides of men armed with muskets walked around the battle field to form giant lines of ranks totally exposed. Each army then took turns blasting each other. Sometimes one side would charge the other with bayonets on foot or horseback. Later, cannons were used as fire support. Generally, this was thought of as sportsmanlike by the nobles that waged these wars.

Linear Tactics

Linear Tactics

Guerilla Tactics

Rules of Engagement There will be 2 teams with a commander for each Round 1: Linear Fighting- you must stay in your lines/columns and ranks. You may move but only as directed by your commander Commanders will order their troops to either: rapid fire, wait for the other side to fire, move forward and then fire If you’re hit with a paper ball, you’ve either been killed or wounded and MUST sit on the floor immediately Once all paper has been thrown, those that were killed/wounded will be removed from the battlefield and remaining soldiers will recover 2 paper balls, fighting will resume until one side is completely out

Rules of Engagement Round 2: Guerilla Fighting- The British MUST continue to use linear tactics while following orders from your commander Americans can use guerilla tactics (hiding, hit & run, firing at will)

The Polite War

Polite War Follow-Up (IN Page 100 BOTTOM) What was meant by the term, “Gentleman’s War”? The Term “Gentleman’s War” means… Which tactic, linear tactics or guerilla warfare, is more effective overall? Explain your answer. _______________________ is more effective overall because…

American Ride- Saratoga http://www.byutv.org/watch/45dd21dd-e040-4334-a299-c628db7fd5bb/american-ride-the-battle-of-saratoga