Fighting the War for Independence Ms. Weston APUSH 9/19/12

Phase I: The Northern Campaign [1775-1776]

1. British flee Boston Americans defeat British in Boston at Battle of Bunker Hill—first major battle of the war, also the bloodiest. By March 1776, British were forced to evacuate Boston.

2. Washington’s New Jersey Campaign (1776) British moved their base to New York, Washington had tried to invade once and failed. While the British General Howe’s troops were slacking off, Washington crossed the Delaware and defeated the British at Trenton and Princeton. Key turning point when tide starts turning for Americans.

Washington Crossing the Delaware on Way to Trenton

Phase II: NY & PA [1777-1778]

1. Britain's Failed Invasion of Hudson River Valley 1777-under General Burgoyne, who would lead British troops from Canada into Hudson Valley. Stopped by Benedict Arnold—battled the British in Canada and forced them to wait another year to invade Hudson Valley.

2. Surrender at Saratoga 1777-By the time Burgoyne begins invading New York, other General Howe was not there to help. British army was trapped and Burgoyne forced to surrender entire command. Shows ineptitude of British generals.

Why is Saratoga Important? Revived morale of the colonists. MOST IMPORTANTLY—Convinced the French to openly support the American colonists in the war. After Saratoga, the king offered the colonists a plan for home rule. The French wanted to be sure the Americans wouldn’t accept, so promised to ally with them until the end of the war.

French Aid in the War for Independence Why? Revenge against Britain for French and Indian War. Americans needed an ally to defeat the British. Americans wanted alliance to be based on mutual interests between colonists and the French. Treaty showed America was an independent country that could make its own alliances.

The Importance of French Aid Americans probably would not have won without French aid. Their involvement made the war a wider world war that Britain did not have the power to win.

Britain Against the World Spain and Holland also helped colonists. Weaker countries organized Armed Neutrality—by agreeing to stay neutral against colonists, they were turning their back on British.

Phase III: The Southern Strategy [1780-1781]

British Victories in the South Britain moved the struggle to the South because so many Loyalists lived there and could help them. From 1778-1780, British were clearly winning, colonists finally able to begin to turn the tide in 1780 and 81 in the Carolinas.

Native Americans in the War Some Iroquois sided with the Americans, but most Native Americans helped the British. Believed British victory would stop colonial expansion West. Still, during war, colonists continued to expand—were battles in Illinois and Kentucky. Pro-British Natives forced to sign Treaty of Fort Stanwix--first treaty between US and Indian nation—Indians lost a lot of land.

The Key Role of Privateers America’s official navy very small. More numerous and effective against the British were the privately owned ships—or privateers—used during the war. Captured British prisoners and interfered with British shipping.

British Defeat at Yorktown 1780-1781—War did not look good for the colonists—didn’t have hope. Luckily, with help of French, Americans were able to bombard British General Cornwallis at Yorktown. While Cornwallis surrendered, both sides kept fighting until they reached a peace agreement.

Peace at Paris British were tired of war—finally ready to make a peace treaty in 1782. American negotiators were sent to Paris to talk with British. French had their own goals for the peace treaty—wanted to be able to keep America’s borders small (so it wouldn’t be too powerful) and to gain land to give to Spain as a thank you for their help.

Peace at Paris ctnd. American negotiator went behind the back of the French and signed their own treaty with British. Terms of the Treaty: Independence of United States Larger boundaries for US—from Florida to Great Lakes, and to Mississippi in West. British only kept Newfoundland. Americans promised not to punish Loyalists further and to recommend that states return Loyalists’ property. Americans promised to pay back all debts to British.

America: The Sole Winner America gained a lot from the treaty—especially land. British were generous because they thought it better to try to make amends with Americans than keep permanent enemies. Also, they wanted to persuade America to abandon its’ alliance with France. America obviously the clear winner.