1. Revolutionary War Patriots vs. Loyalists ~20% Loyal to GB
~20% Strong Patriots
~60% Undecided
Americans are much more successful at convincing people of their cause
Used – publicity (Common Sense), violence, and humiliation.

2. Gambling on the Win

3. Military strength (strongest in the world at the time
British Strengths
Military strength (strongest in the world at the time
Professional and well-trained troops
$$$$$
British Weaknesses
Fighting a war far from home (supplies take a long time to arrive)
Geographic vastness of the colonies
Had to defeat the Americans AND convince them to abandon independence

4. $$$$ (would not be able to feed, clothe, and supply troops)
American Weaknesses
$$$$ (would not be able to feed, clothe, and supply troops)
Lack of military experience
American Strengths
Home field advantage and knowledge of the land
GLORIOUS CAUSE: fighting for liberty, independence, and the right to self-rule
Help from the French (comes later)

5. George Washington
Leader of the Continental Army

6. Marquis de Lafayette French advisor to Washington
Major general in colonial army

7. Battle of Trenton Surprise attack on group of Hessians in Trenton NJ
Dec 24, Washington sailed his men across the Delaware River
Surprise attack on group of Hessians in Trenton NJ
Washington men captured 900 Hessian troops 1200 weapons w/o losing a single man
Boosted American morale and
inspired men to enlist in Continental Army

9. Battle of Princeton (1777) About 10 days later…
Washington defeats a British regiment
No surprise attack here
Trenton & Princeton increase morale for Americans…who were on a losing streak

10. Valley Forge (1777-78) No battle just horrible winter, Penn.
Continental army against ropes
No food, no supplies
Many quit and die over diseases
Washington NEVER left his men!!!
Baron von Steuben steps in to help Washington

11. Baron von Steuben
At Valley Forge he trains what’s left of the Continental army into a fierce fighting force
Troops go from near death to ready to fight
This group of men will be the core ones that win the last few battle for American in the end

12. Battle of Saratoga (1777) October 7, 1777 - Saratoga, NY
GB general surrendered his entire troops killed, 695 wounded, 6,222 captured (compared to just 300 casualties for the Americans)
*TURNING POINT OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR*
After this victory, the French are convinced to enter the war on the side of the Americans and sign the Treaty of Alliance (1778)
France recognized USA as a independent nation

13. Battle of Yorktown (1781) October 19, 1781 - Yorktown, VA
Last major battle of Revolutionary War
George Washington’s men with assistance of French forces secured surrender of British General Charles Cornwallis
The capture of 8,000 British
troops turned the British
public against war and
peace negotiations begin
several months later.

14. Treaty of Paris (1783) Signed September 3, 1783
formally ended the American Revolution
▪ Britain recognizes
America as a country
▪ Mississippi River is
western border of US
Nov. 24, last British troops leave New York City
USA promise to repay debts to Great Britian
Promised not to punish Loyalists who chose to remain in USA

15. Treaty of Paris (1783)