The American Revolution 1776 - 1783 The Early Years p.162 - 168

The Opposing Sides After the colonies declared independence form England in July 1776, the war for freedom was unavoidable. Both sides expected the war for independence to be short. Most Patriots believed the British would give up after losing 1 or 2 battles.

The Opposing Sides At first glance the British had and overwhelming advantage in the war. They had the strongest navy in the world; an experienced, well trained army, and the wealth of a worldwide empire. Britain also had a much larger population than the United States.

The Opposing Sides The colonists suffered serious disadvantages They lacked regular army and a strong navy. Americans soldiers also lacked military experience, and weapons and ammunition were in short supply. Volunteer soldiers only fought for a short time before returning home.

The Opposing Sides Not all Americans supported the struggle for independence. Some people were neutral, taking neither side. The Quakers would not participate in the war because they opposed all armed conflict.

The Loyalists Loyalist – colonists who opposed the war for independence. Also known as Tories. Some people changed side during the war. Loyalists were strongest in the Carolinas and Georgia and weakest in New England. Some remained loyalists because they were members of the Anglican Church, headed by the British king. Some depended on the British for jobs. Others could not understand what all the commotion was about.

African Americans in the War At the start of the war, the British appealed to enslaved Africans by announcing that enslaved people who fight on the British side would be freed. Many men answered the call.

Patriot Advantages Patriots were fighting on their own land (defense). Fought with great determination to protect it. The British relied on mercenaries, hired soldiers, to fight. The Americans called the mercenaries Hessians, after the region in Germany where most of them lived. Patriots had a much greater stake in winning the war than the hired soldiers. Greatest advantage was George Washington.

Raising an Army After throwing off the rule of the British Parliament, they were unwilling to transfer power to their own Continental Congress. In some ways the American Revolutions was really 13 separate wars, with each state pursing its own interest. As a result, Congress experienced difficulty enlisting soldiers and raising money to fight the war.

Raising an Army At first, soldiers signed up for 1 year of army service, but Washington pleaded for longer. The Continental Congress offered enlistments for 3 years or for the length of the war. Most soldiers still only signed up for 1 year. Women also fought. Margaret Corbin, Molly Pitcher and Deborah Sampson all helped the soldiers or fought in the war.

Fighting in New York Britain realized they would need more troops to end the war quickly. In the summer of 1776, Britain sent 32,000 troops to New York. The British commander was General William Howe.

Defeat on Long Island The two armies clashed at the Battle of Long Island in late August. The Continental Army suffered great defeat with only 20,000 troops. Nathan Hale proved himself a hero by spying on the British troops. He was discovered and hanged. After the defeat, Washington retreated to Manhattan and then later across New Jersey to Pennsylvania.

A Low Point By the winter of 1776 – 1777, the Continental Army had dwindled. Some soldiers completed their terms of service and went home Others ran away. Washington knew if soldiers were not recruited soon, the fight would be over.

Patriot Gains Washington pleaded with the Continental Congress for more troops. He even asked for enlistment of free African Americans. White men in the south felt uncomfortable giving slaves guns in fear of revolts.

African Americans Join the Fight Some states ignored the ban and enlisted African Americans. Rhode Island raised all African American regiments in 1778. In the end, all states enlisted African Americans except South Carolina. Its estimated 5,000 African Americans joined the Patriots. African Americans fought because they believed in the Patriot cause, they needed money, or fought to earn their freedom.

American Victories in New Jersey Armies usually called a halt to wars during the winter and the British did not expect to fight. Washington saw a chance to catch the British off guard by attacking on Christmas night, 1776. The Continental Army was stationed across the Delaware River from the British camp in New Jersey.

American Victories in New Jersey Washington took 2,400 troops across the icy river and surprised the enemy at Trenton the next day. The Americans captured over 900 Hessians. The British sent reinforcements under Lord Charles Cornwallis, but Washington marched his troops to Princeton where they drove away the British.

A British Plan for Victory The British planned to take Albany, New York and gain control of the Hudson River which would separate New England from the Middle Colonies. The plan involved a 3-prong attack: General Burgoyne would lead 8,000 troops south from Canada. Lieutenant Colonel Barry St. Leger would move east from Lake Ontario. General Howe would move north from New York City. The 3 would meet at Albany and destroy the Patriots.

The British Capture Philadelphia Howe planned to take the American capital, Philadelphia, before marching to Albany. In September 1777, Howe’s troops captured Philadelphia, forcing the Continental Congress to flee. Howe postponed the move north to Albany and decided to spend the winter in Philadelphia.

Patriots Slow the British Problems delayed the British plans to take Albany. Troops led by Benedict Arnold halted St. Leger’s advance in New York. General Burgoyne’s army was not making much progress toward Albany either. In need of food and supplies, Burgoyne sent 800 troops and Native Americans to capture the American supply base at Bennington, Vermont.

Patriots Slow the British The British troops’ brightly colored uniforms made the soldiers easy targets in the woods. The Green Mountain Boys attacked and defeated them Burgoyne retreated in October to the town of Saratoga, New York.

The Battle of Saratoga At Saratoga, Burgoyne expected British forces from the west and south to join him, but they had not arrived. The Americans stopped St. Leger’s army; Howe’s forces were still in Philadelphia; American General Horatio Gates blocked his path to the south. Burgoyne found himself surrounded by an army 3 times as large as his own.

The Battle of Saratoga British made one last desperate attack on October 7, 1777, but the Americans held. The British were trapped and had no food. On October 17, 1777 Burgoyne surrendered. Over 5,700 soldiers handed over their weapons while Patriots played, “Yankee Doodle.” British 3 prong plan to take the Hudson River had failed.