Chapter Seven: The American Revolution US History

Americans Divided Estimates 20-30% of Americans were Loyalists 40-45% of Americans were Patriots The rest remained neutral, most Americans did not support the Revolution Native Americans were split Natives who fought with the British feared American victory would take their land. Natives who interacted with colonists sided with Americans African-Americans were also divided British governors offered freedom to slaves who fought for Britain Then, Americans began to allow enslaved blacks to fight

Creating an Army June 1775, George Washington became the commander of the Continental Army. At first, the army was made up of untrained and undisciplined volunteers: State Militias After the creation of the Continental Army, men began to enlist Congress struggled to supply the army- food, blankets, shoes guns and ammo Washington's main goal was to survive

Struggle for the Middle States Washington moved troops to New York. In July 1776, the British arrived in NY with a large army along with 9,000 Hessian mercenaries. Mercenary- a professional soldier hired to fight in a foreign country. After months of fighting Washington and his men were forced to retreat through New Jersey into Pennsylvania But Washington was successful in Trenton: a raid that captured or killed more than 900 Hessians & gained much needed supplies. The victory led to more recruits for the Continental Army.

Britain’s Strategy Britain wanted to cut off New England from the rest of the colonies. Britain’s goal was to to secure the Hudson River Valley By controlling the Hudson, the American colonies would be split in two, making it possible to cut off supplies between the colonies.

Major turning point for the American Continental Army The Battle of Saratoga Americans forced the British to retreat at Saratoga Major turning point for the American Continental Army Convinced European nations that America may win the war for independence!

Now had to fight a number of enemies on land and sea. Help From Abroad After hearing of the American victory at Saratoga, King Louis XVI of France signed two treaties of alliance with the United States. Help from France This prevented the British from being able to focus their fighting on one front. Now had to fight a number of enemies on land and sea.

Valley Forge Winter of 1777-1778 Washington and his army camped at Valley Forge in southeast Pennsylvania. Roughly ¼ of soldiers died from malnutrition, exposure to the cold, or diseases. “The unfortunate soldiers were in want of everything; they had neither coats, nor hats, nor shirts, nor shoes; their feet and their legs froze till they grew black and it was often necessary to amputate them… The Army frequently passed whole days without food.” -Marquis de Lafayette quoted in Valley Forge: Pinnacle of Courage

John Paul Jones won the most famous sea battle. A Naval Hero John Paul Jones won the most famous sea battle. He and his ships Patrolled the English coast. Went to battle with the world’s greatest navy. Angered the British, and inspired the Americans

John Paul Jones

The Swamp Fox and Guerilla Fighting War in the south British turn their attention to the south. The British win key battles at Charles Town, SC and Savannah, GA Americans attempted to cut off British supply in Camden, SC Implemented a new style of fighting… Guerilla fighters- are small band fighters who weaken the enemy with surprise raids and hit-and-run attacks.

The End of the War 1781- most of the fighting took place in Virginia. British General Cornwallis set up his base at Yorktown. A large French fleet arrived to block the Chesapeake bay, preventing the British from receiving supplies and escaping. In the Battle of Yorktown, the American and French troops bombarded Yorktown with cannon fire, turning its building to rubble. October 19, 1781 Cornwallis and his 8,000 men surrendered. It was the last major battle of the war.

Why the Americans Won Better Leadership- British were overconfident and made poor decisions. Washington learned from his mistakes. Foreign Aid- Britain’s rivals, especially France, helped America. Foreign loans and military aid were essential to America’s victory Knowledge of the Land- The Americans knew the land where the war took place. Motivation- The Americans had more reason to fight. At stake were not only their lives but also their property and their dream of liberty.

The Treaty of Paris of 1783 ended the American Revolutionary War. Terms of the treaty: The United States was independent. Its boundaries would be the Mississippi River on the west, Canada on the north, and Spanish Florida on the south. The United States would receive the right to fish off Canada’s Atlantic Coast. Each side would repay debts it owed the other. The British would return any enslaved persons they had captured. Congress would recommend that the states return any property they had seized from Loyalists.

Issues After the War Instead of a King, people would rule After declaring independence, Americans looked towards Republicanism : Instead of a King, people would rule Now the United States needed a government that would protect citizens’ rights and economic freedom. Social changes Changes in laws that discriminated against religion. African-Americans began to form their own institutions. Free African Society Richard Allen: African Methodist Episcopal Church