The American Revolution Chapter 7 E.Q. Describe the events that led to the Americans winning their independence.

1.Comparing American & British Armies

a. List American Weaknesses: Soldiers only enlisted for a short period of time Not well trained and Shortage of men Lacked the power to be able to raise money Low on food, supplies, uniforms Left bloody footprints behind Gunpowder shortage

b. List American Strengths: Got ships and soldiers from overseas (French – at the end of the war) French gave them gunpowder George Washington – well respected and trained Patriotism

Table Talk Compare/Contrast American Strengths and Weakness. Sentence Starters: I believe…. One reason Americans should have won… One reason Americans should have lost...

c. Three British Strengths: The British Army had 50,000 soldiers, reinforced by 30,000 Hessian mercenaries (professional soldiers hired to fight) Loyalists Native Americans African Americans British soldiers were well trained and experienced, compared to the Americans British forces were well supplied food, uniforms, ammunition, and weapons.

d. British Weaknesses: Sending troops and supplies from Britain to America was slow and costly. The British were scared of stories of cannibalistic colonists. The British were not passionate about defeating the rebels. They had poor military leadership.

A - B Partner Talk Compare/Contrast the British Strengths and Weaknesses. Sentence Starters: I believe… One reason the British should have won was.. One reason the British should have lost was...

2. Britain Winning the War SKIP 5 Lines in your notes (this is where you will write your GIST sentence for Section 1

a. American Motivation Colonists were motivated to win the war. They wanted to win their freedom Freedom → a goal worth fighting for Was a message they could stand behind

b. African American Motivation One group more than the others had high hopes for the Declaration of Independence. African Americans fought for the cause G. Washington worried that escaped slaves may hide in Continental Army It raised hope for African Americans African Americans thought that “all men are created equal” applied to them They thought slavery might end

Table Talk Explain the motivations for fighting in the war for the Americans and Africans. Sentence Starters: Both Americans and Africans were fighting for.. Africans had more motivation because…. Americans had more motivation because...

c. Battle of New York Americans began energetic Battle of New York City… Britain troops overwhelmed the inexperienced the colonial army. Number of British troops and superior training!! Troops lost – British -377 / Americans -1407

d. The Crisis by Thomas Paine These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and women… What do you think is the meaning of this?

d. The Crisis by Thomas Paine The message of Thomas Paine’s pamphlet The Crisis It was written to motivate the Americans to fight for what they believed in, even though they are in hard times or struggling.

3. Turning Points in the War SKIP 5 Lines in your Notes (this is where you will write your GIST sentence for Section 2.)

The Americans won an overwhelming victory at Trenton a. Battle of Trenton The Americans won an overwhelming victory at Trenton Washington had the troops rowed across the icy Delaware River on Christmas. By surprising the Hessians while they were asleep

George Washington …

b. Victories for Americans victories at Trenton and Princeton affected American morale It gave them the confidence that they needed to fight.

c. American Military Strategy As the war progressed, Washington revised his military strategy He was trying to avoid big battles that might wipe out his whole army. Chose to fight small battles Defensive War Tactic Let the British come to them

d. Battle of Saratoga The American cause looked more hopeful after the Battle of Saratoga The colonists won the battle and now people believed that they could possibly win France entered the war by supplying troops and weapons Washington saying he was going to fight a defensive war – attempting to tire out the British

e. The War goes South The Americans used tactics successfully against the British in the Southern Colonies Defensive Strategy or Guerilla Tactics (like hit and run raids) Used the swampy areas to hide and attack

4. Battle of Yorktown/War’s End

a. Battle of Yorktown The British were tired of fighting the colonists and eventually retreated to Yorktown. American and French troops converged onto Yorktown, blocking British escape. The French ships sailed into the Chesapeake Bay. American troops surrounded Yorktown by land. Forced the surrender of General Cornwallis and the British Army

b. Treaty of Paris 1783 The Treaty of Paris 1783 ended the war Most British were tired of the war. The Treaty of Paris 1783 ended the war Britain recognized the United States as independent Britain gave up land from the Atlantic coast to the Mississippi River

Ticket Out the Door Comprehension Quiz