BritainAmericans Advantages?? Disadvantages?? On the Eve of the Revolution ?

Washington’s Headaches Only 1/3 of the colonists were in favor of a war for independence [the other third were Loyalists, and the final third were neutral]. State/colony loyalties. Congress couldn’t tax to raise money for the Continental Army. Poor training [until the arrival of Baron von Steuben.

Exports & Imports:

Military Strategies Attrition [the Brits had a long supply line]. Guerilla tactics [fight an insurgent war  you don’t have to win a battle, just wear the British down] Make an alliance with one of Britain’s enemies. The AmericansThe British Break the colonies in half by getting between the No. & the So. Blockade the ports to prevent the flow of goods and supplies from an ally. “Divide and Conquer”  use the Loyalists.

Phase I: The Northern Campaign [ ]

Bunker Hill (June, 1775) The British suffered over 40% casualties.

Canadian Campaign Montreal captured by Continental Army, November 13, (Brigadier General Montgomery)Montreal captured by Continental Army, November 13, (Brigadier General Montgomery) Montgomery continued to Quebec, where joined by Col. Benedict Arnold.Montgomery continued to Quebec, where joined by Col. Benedict Arnold. Attacked Quebec New Years Eve, British won, and Americans fled back to Ft. Ticonderoga.Attacked Quebec New Years Eve, British won, and Americans fled back to Ft. Ticonderoga. Montreal regained by English.Montreal regained by English. Canada could have been the 14 th Colony…Canada could have been the 14 th Colony… Maps

Fighting shifted to the areas south of Massachusetts. The British wanted to capture New York City, the center of the Colonial economy August 27, 1776

British attacked Washington’s army on Long Island and inflicted heavy casualties Washington avoided capture and retreated into Pennsylvania.

The British will occupy New York City for the rest of the war Washington is humiliated by the loss

New York City in Flames (1776) Maps

Phase II: NJ & PA [ ]

Painted by Emanuel Leutze, 1851

Washington launched a surprise attack crossing the frozen Delaware River, entering Trenton, New Jersey. He captured over 800 Hessian prisoners without losing one man. December 25, 1776

Hessian was a German soldier hired by the British

January 1777, Washington captures another 300 British soldiers at Princeton New Jersey MapsMaps

Washington would go on to lose the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown…outside of Philadelphia…..the British will stay the winter occupying the city of Philadelphia

Germantown and Brandywine Two Battles fought while the British marched on Philadelphia.Two Battles fought while the British marched on Philadelphia. Washington again lost to the British, and Philadelphia fell to the English.Washington again lost to the British, and Philadelphia fell to the English. MapsMapsMaps

Saratoga Saratoga September 17, 1777

British General Burgoyne planned to cut off New England from the rest of the colonies. Daniel Morgan and the colonist had another idea.

American General Horatio Gates surrounded Burgoyne’s remaining forces at Saratoga New York. Burgoyne surrendered his entire army to the Americans MapsMaps

Saratoga was a turning point in the warBenjamin Franklin would help negotiate Treaty of Alliance with France and Spain

Washington and his men spent the long cold winter of in Valley Forge Pennsylvania. The American troops were in desperate need of food and warm clothing

French volunteer Marquis de Lafayette used his own money to help and train the Continental Army Prussian Baron Von Steuben also taught them the essentials of military drills, tactics, and disciplines

Remember Saratoga? Since the French decided to join the war, the English worried about losing New York, Florida, and in the Caribbean.Since the French decided to join the war, the English worried about losing New York, Florida, and in the Caribbean. The English decide to abandon Philadelphia to protect New York.The English decide to abandon Philadelphia to protect New York. General Washington follows the British, and a few skirmishes ensue. The British are able to make it to New York. MapsGeneral Washington follows the British, and a few skirmishes ensue. The British are able to make it to New York. MapsMaps

Phase III: The Southern Strategy [ ]

Major Southern Battles Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC capturedSavannah, GA and Charleston, SC captured Battle of Camden, SCBattle of Camden, SC Battle of King’s Mountain (border of NC & SC)Battle of King’s Mountain (border of NC & SC) Battle of Cowpen’s (SC)Battle of Cowpen’s (SC) Battle of Guilford Courthouse, NCBattle of Guilford Courthouse, NC

Britain’s “Southern Strategy” Britain thought that there were more Loyalists in the South. Southern resources were more valuable/worth preserving. The British win a number of small victories, but cannot pacify the countryside

The Battle of Yorktown (1781) Count de Rochambeau Admiral De Grasse

British General Lord Cornwallis moved his troops to Virginia to set up camp and wait for reinforcements. The time was right for Washington to set the ultimate trap. James Armistead (a slave) was a double spy and gave Washington information Washington had over 16,000 American and French soldiers ready to fight Cornwallis was not impressed, he opted to board British ships and sail to New York Before he could leave, a fleet of French battleships sailed into the Bay…Cornwallis was now trapped.

Washington would lead a three week attack on the British

Trapped, Lord Cornwallis surrendered on Oct 17, 1781…the Americans had won their INDEPENDENCE! MapsMaps

Great Britain recognized the United States as an independent nation United States gained all land east of the Mississippi River from Canada to Florida U.S. agreed to return all property taken from Loyalist