Unit 4: The Revolutionary War CH. 6.1- The War for Independence

I. Americans v. British A. British Advantages Strongest navy in the world Well-trained army Wealth More people

B. People Quakers = stayed neutral Patriots = pro American independence Loyalist 1 in 5 (3) Americans were a “Loyalist” or a “Tory” Highest in GA & Carolinas Weakest in New England Supported because Jobs Fear Complaints = minor

4. British = support of African Americans VA gov., Lord Dunmore, promised freedom for fighting Ben Franklin loyalist turned patriot Disagreement with NJ royal gov.

C. Patriots Advantages Fight on own ground Motivation & purpose British had “Hessian” mercenaries George Washington

D. The Continental Army DOI = Continental Congress = govt. No power to collect taxes Need strong national govt. Local militia (farmers) = patriot forces Needed well trained soldiers Congress est. Continental Army States recruit soldiers 1 year term GW & CC ask for 3 year terms

Women Margaret Corbin (PA) went with husband Took his place when he died in battle Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley went with husband “Moll of the Pitcher” or “Molly Pitcher” Carried water pitchers to soldiers Took part in combat? Annual payment of $40 Deborah Sampson (MASS) joined as a soldier disguised as a man

II. Early Campaigns A. Numbers Patriots Bunker Hill 1775 = 2,200 British v. 1,200 Americans British 1776 = 32,000 troops cross Atlantic to NY General Howe thought this would force surrender

B. Battle of Long Island August 1776 GW = 20,000 soldiers Continental Army outnumbered British now control Brooklyn Nathan Hale Disguised as Dutch schoolteacher Spied on British troops Caught and hanged “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country”

Patriots couldn’t keep up British better equipped Lacked shoes, socks, jackets, blankets GW retreats NY becomes Loyalist stronghold GW & troops chased to NJ & PA

C. Winter Continental Army = >5,000 soldiers Completed terms or ran off GW begged for more time Free African Americans who enlist? Idea opposed by Americans Southern colonies persuade Congress not to = feared AA trained in using guns = revolt

D. African Americans in Battle Soldiers Needed them By end of war, every state enlisted African Americans except for SC ~5,000 on Patriot side Peter Salem Fought at Concord & Bunker Hill Won freedom

Why fight? Believed in Patriot cause Earn money Freedom

E. Battles of Trenton & Princeton Winter Patriots struggle GW Camped in PA across the Delaware River from NJ British camp Christmas night 1776, GW led 2,400 troops across the river to surprise enemy at Trenton Escaped & marched to Princeton

Gain control of the Hudson River III. British Strategy A. 1777, three pronged battle plan Seize Albany, NY Gain control of the Hudson River Cut off New England from the Middle Colonies

A. General John Burgoyne Led troops South from Canada Lt. Colonel Barry St. Leger moved east from Lake Ontario General Howe, more north up the Hudson These 3 British Forces attack Patriot troops in Albany, NY

B. Philadelphia Captured by British September 1777, Howe wins at Brandywine & Paoli Howe’s troops capture Philadelphia forcing CC to flee

C. Battle of Saratoga British plan to take Albany American soldiers (Benedict Arnold) stopped St. Leger at Fort Stanwix, NY July = Fort Ticonderoga captured Forces sent to American supply base in Bennington, VT Local militia = Green Mountain Boys defeat them Oct. 17, 1777 – General Burgoyne surrenders