The American Revolution Chapter 7

Continental Army *Less than 20,000 *Militia: About 230,000 served – but never at one time. Low enlistment due to: Short enlistments, desertions, time out to harvest crops. Allies: French, African-Americans, Natives, and Women.

British Army *About 50,000 regulars *30,000 hired German soldiers Allies: Loyalists, African-Americans, Natives

* 1/3 of the Americans supported the Revolution * 1/3 of the colonists remained loyal British subjects * 1/3 were neutral (didn’t take sides!) Who sided with who??

American Advantages! 1. Outstanding leadership 2. Strong motivation: Freedom!! 3. Fighting on home ground 4. Experienced officers 5. Superior fire arms (German made) 6. Sharp-shooters (snipers)

American Disadvantages Inexperienced army/militia Short enlistments (3-12 months) Brand new navy (few ships) Constant shortages (food, clothing, medicine, arms, money) Near bankrupt treasury (no gold/silver to place value on paper money) Loyalist warfare (neighbor against neighbor)

British Advantages Military power (strongest in world) Superior numbers Indian support Loyalist cooperation Able to fund war and hire soldiers Uniforms (took pride)

British Disadvantages 1. Weak motivation (no cause) 2. Unaggressive officers 3. 3,000 miles from British base (poor communications and supply lines) 4. 1,500 enemy coastline (difficult blockade) 5. Vast land 6. Easy targets with red uniforms 7. European aid to Americans

13 United States of Americas Goals: 1. Preserve Continental Army 2. Wear down British troops until they go home Strategies: Hit and run! Avoid battles. Avoid capture. Last battle is most important.

Great Britain Goals: 1. Force the Cont. army to surrender. 2. Restore British control of the 13 colonies. Strategies: 1. Capture seaports 2. Divide and conquer by isolating and seizing: 1) New England 2) Middle States 3) South

American Tactics Guerrilla Tactics: Surprise raids, fighting in hiding (snipers), learned these from Natives. Guerrilla Tactics: Surprise raids, fighting in hiding (snipers), learned these from Natives. Also conventional 18 th century war tactics Also conventional 18 th century war tactics

British Tactics *Conventional 18 th century war tactics: frontal attacks in close ranks.

Battle of Trenton *For several months, Washington and his army fought General Howe and his troops for control of New York State. *The British forced Washington to retreat. *The soldiers spirits were low.

Battle of Trenton *Washington wanted a quick victory. *Washington decided to surprise attack a British force made up of Hessian mercenaries.

Battle of Trenton *Washington and his men crossed the Delaware River to New Jersey on December 25, *The Hessians were surprised by the attack and not able to put up much resistance.

George Washington and his men crossing the Delaware river

Outcome of the Battle of Trenton *The Americans captured or killed more than 900 Hessians and gained needed supplies. *With this victory most of the army reenlisted and attracted new recruits!

Battle of Saratoga British General Howe did not meet his other armies in Albany, instead he attacked Pennsylvania British General Howe did not meet his other armies in Albany, instead he attacked Pennsylvania The Americans were able to surround the British and force them to surrender!! The Americans were able to surround the British and force them to surrender!!

Battle of Saratoga This is the turning point in the war This is the turning point in the war It caused European nations to think that the Americans might have a chance to win the war. It caused European nations to think that the Americans might have a chance to win the war. Because of this several European nations agreed to help America Because of this several European nations agreed to help America

Help from Abroad France wanted revenge over losing the French and Indian War to the British! France wanted revenge over losing the French and Indian War to the British! King Louis XVI signed two treaties of alliance with the United States King Louis XVI signed two treaties of alliance with the United States France sent aid in the form of : France sent aid in the form of : 1. money 2. supplies 3. troops

Valley Forge *Washington’s winter camp for * Signified great hardships the Americans lived through during the war. Short on supplies *Very difficult time; not enough food or warm clothing *Many soldiers died from malnutrition, exposure to the cold, and diseases. *Still did not quit!

Battle of Yorktown * Cornwallis and his 8,000 British troops were trapped in Yorktown, Virginia by Washington’s army and the French naval fleet. *October 19, 1781: American and French forces bombarded the fort with cannon fire. *General Cornwallis surrendered. *Last major battle of the Amer. Revolution

Why the Americans won the war 1. Better leadership 2. Foreign Aid 3. Knowledge of the land 4. Motivation

Treaty of Paris (1783) *Ended the American Revolution (America won) Six conditions: 1. The US was independent 1. The US was independent 2. Boundaries would be the Mississippi R. on the west, Canada on the north, and Spanish Florida on the south 2. Boundaries would be the Mississippi R. on the west, Canada on the north, and Spanish Florida on the south

Treaty of Paris (1783) 3. US got the right to fish off Canada’s Atlantic Coast 4. Each would repay debts it owed the other 5. The British were to return any enslaved persons it had captured 6. Congress would recommend property taken from loyalists would be returned.

Costs of the War *Estimated 25,700 Americans died during the war *Estimated 10,000 British soldiers were killed *Debt from war: about $27 million *Thousands of loyalists left the United States.

A New Form of Government *Republicanism – instead of a king, the people would rule; government would obtain its authority from the citizens and be responsible to them