The American Revolution The Early Years of the War (7-1)

Americans Divided “… roughly 20 to 30 percent of Americans were Loyalists, roughly 40 to 45 percent were Patriots, and the rest remained neutral.” Text: Chart: W h a t e v e r t h e e x a c t n u m b e r s, m o s t A m e r i c a n s d i d n o t s u p p o r t t h e R e v o l u t i o n. Iroquois League… Split up as tribes chose sides; some British, others American Like the Indians… Free and enslaved Africans faced a difficult decision and fought bravely on both sides Like white Americans…

Creating an Army George Washington Commander of the Continental Army George Washington at Princeton Charles Willson Peale

American Advantages Geography Fighting for a Cause British Arrogance Knowledge of the Land Distance from Britain Vast Size of the Land Liberty, Freedom, Independence … They’re not just words. King and Parliament do not believe Americans are willing to suffer Washington’s Strategy to Win… Survive! Creating an Army

Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley AKA: Molly Pitcher Took over loading the cannon at the Battle of Monmouth after her husband was wounded Deborah Sampson Gannett AKA: Robert Shurtleff Pretended to be a man in order to fight

Struggle for the Middle States Sir William Howe Commander of British troops in America British Strategy #1: Capture the Big Cities View of Continental Army: They won’t fight – unwilling to endure hardships

Struggle for the Middle States Long Island Hudson River Nathan Hale Hanged as a spy when the British captured New York City I regret that I have but one life to give for my country.

Struggle for the Middle States The Plan Thomas Paine Author of The Crisis Used to motivate Washington’s troops

Struggle for the Middle States Washington Crossing the Delaware Emmanuel Leutze

Struggle for the Middle States Washington needed a victory before the end of 1776 … or he was going to lose his army The victories at Trenton and Princeton: Showed that the Continental Army was still strong and could win battles It also led his soldiers to re-enlist and kept the war going

British Strategy #2: Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne Commander of British troops in Canada Divide and Conquer separate New England from the other Colonies capture Hudson River Valley Britain’s Strategy The Plan HoweBurgoyneSt. Leger

Britain’s Strategy Fort Ticonderoga Difficulties along the way: 1.Americans block the roads 2.Have to cross swampy land 3.Need to build bridges and roads AND……. Howe decides to go after Washington and capture Philadelphia “Success be ever with you…” Battle of Brandywine leads to Howe occupying Philadelphia

Battles Along the Mohawk Chief Joseph Brant a.k.a. Thayendanegea Sister, Molly, married to British official Convert of the church of England Fought with St. Leger in the Mohawk River Valley at Ft. Stanwix British upheld Iroquois land rights

Battles Along the Mohawk Benedict Arnold –Used Loyalist and Iroquois decoys to spread rumors St. Leger –Feared being outnumbered –Fast retreat and leave behind supplies Fort Stanwix Who is left to rendez-vous with Burgoyne???

Saratoga: A Turning Point Burgoyne is running out of supplies –Failed raiding party to VT –Battle of Bennington –Moving slowly towards Albany American fortifications on Bemis Heights Burgoyne attacks!!! (Has he lost his mind?!?) Who do his troops encounter?!? Continental Army unit led by Horatio Gates

The Battles of Saratoga Despite heavy casualties, the British hold their position

The Battles of Saratoga Benedict Arnold –Leads more charges against the British –Mercenaries begin to fall back –Shot in the leg Burgoyne forced to retreat What are the consequences? 1.Benedict Arnold marries a loyalist and doesn’t feel he is given credit for his heroism- becomes a traitor 2.Caused European nations to believe Americans could win the war

Battles of Saratoga SUMMARY