The American Revolution

Review Bunker Hill Olive Branch Petition Common Sense The Declaration of Independence

American Hard Times Continental Army was inexperienced and poorly equipped Struggled to keep its recruits Struggled to pay wages Many soldiers refused to reenlist Many soldiers returned home at planting or harvest time

American Money Troubles Continental Congress didn’t have the power to tax B/g issuing paper money Not backed by gold or silver B/c almost worthless very quickly Robert Morris – wealthy Pennsylvania merchant and banker Gave large amounts of money for the war effort Arranged for foreign loans

British Take NYC British capture New York City Use it as their headquarters for the rest of the war Separate the New England Colonies from the Southern Colonies Washington sends Captain Nathan Hale to spy on the British Caught by the British and hanged “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

American Morale Thomas Paine writes another pamphlet The American Crisis Encourage soldiers to continue the fight & stay in the army Help boost morale

Calm Winter? Both sides march to Philadelphia during the winter of 1776 British troops dispersed into winter quarters in New Jersey Armies didn’t fight in the winter in the 1700’s Washington decides on a surprise attack!

Crossing the Delaware December 25, 1776 Washington leads his men across the icy Delaware River They attacked a group of Hessians at Trenton, NJ in the middle of a sleet storm Killed or captured almost 1,000 men Hessians – group of German soldiers who fought w/ Britain against the colonists After the victory Washington headed to Northern New Jersey for the winter

The British 3-Pronged Plan (1777) Purpose – Take N.Y.  isolate New England from the other U.S. states 3-Pronged Plan 1 force into northern N.Y. 1 force into western N.Y. 1 force into southern N.Y (General Howe’s troops) 3 forces meet in Albany, NY; then go east into New England Not coordinated well General Howe moved his troops and did not hold up his end of the plan

Three-Pronged Plan

A Turning Point Battle of Saratoga (New York, 1777) Huge colonists victory!!!! Due to Howe’s failure do his part of the 3-Pronged Plan British troops ambushed by militia and General Benedict Arnold’s troops At this time he was a loyal American general A turning point b/c after this France decides to send troops to the U.S. Instrumental in us winning the war!

Winter Training Valley Forge, Pennsylvania – quarters for the patriots in winter of 1777-1778 Large number of army dies Disease, food shortages, bitter cold, etc. However, army receives training from French & Prussian sympathizers! Marquis de Lafayette (French) Baron Friedrich von Steuben (Prussian/German)

American Naval Hero John Paul Jones – commanded the ship Bonhomme Richard Attacked the British ship Serapis Jones’ ship almost sank – “I have not yet begun to fight!” Attached his ship to the Serapis Boarded the British ship The British surrendered after more than three hours of fighting