AMERICAN HISTORY CHAPTER 4-4 AN AMERICAN VICTORY

Revolutionary Battles in the West and South WAR IN THE WEST 1779-George Rogers Clark, Kentucky pioneer Clark persuades Gov. Patrick Henry (VA) to send an expedition to deal with the British Clark & his men capture British Fort Kaskaskia & Cahokia (Map p. 133) Clark captures settlement of Vincennes

WAR IN THE SOUTH 1778-British shifted their strategy British thought the Loyalists in America would help them win the war British faced frequent surprise raids by Patriots AMERICA’S EUROPEAN ALLIES ALLIANCE WITH FRANCE French government helps by sending gunpowder, artillery, and muskets Ben Franklin goes to Paris – signs 2 treaties with France

1 st -France officially recognized United States as a country 2 nd -Frances promised military help 1780-Lafayette persuades France to send 6,000 soldiers French force led by Gen. Count de Rochambeau HELP FROM SPAIN Spain was not a direct ally of the Americans but was an ally of France Spanish forces defeat the British on the Mississippi River and along the Gulf Course

VICTORY AT YORKTOWN January 1781-Benedict Arnold (former US hero) had become a traitor by helping British troops raid American positions A SIEGE AT YORKTOWN Washington wanted to trap Gen. Cornwallis. Washington sends a message to the French Navy to set up a blockade in Chesapeake Bay The British were also trapped by land. The Battle of Yorktown lasted about 3 weeks US/French (17,000) vs. British (7,000)

Cornwallis surrendered on October 19, 1781 This battle basically ended the Revolutionary war although the British occupied several American cities It took several years to agree on the terms of the peace treaty THE TREATY OF PARIS Signed September 3, 1783 Britain formally recognized the USA as an independent nation Mississippi River was declared the western boundary of the USA British forts in the west were allowed to stay Spain and France also made peace with Britain Spain retained control of Florida

REVOLUTION CHANGES AMERICA Politics became more democratic as more men gained the right to vote Owning any property, not just land, gave a man a right to vote. WOMEN’S RIGHTS Equality did not include women Women did not gain rights after the war like Abigal Adams had hoped

THE SLAVERY QUESTION Slaves who fought for independence thought they should be free PA and NE passed laws abolishing slavery but change came very slowly IMPACT ON RELIGION Before the war many colonies had official religions New laws said people to choose their own religion A NEW NATION Economically the war left the nation with problems Money borrowed needed to be repaid. States wanted to retain their sovereign power Continental Congress would need to meet to discuss economic issues and set up a new system of government THE END