1. The War Expands
Chapter 7, Section 2

2. Bell Ringer
The following questions will help you understand how the war effort expanded.
1. Read the headings on pages 200 and Who becomes involved in the Americans’ revolt? Why might other countries aid the Patriots?
2. Now read the headings on pages 203 and Where does the fighting move? When?

3. Key Terms
Ally – a country that agrees to help another country achieve a common goal
Marquis de Lafayette – 19 year old French nobleman who volunteered to serve in Washington’s army
Bayonet – a long steel knife attached to the end of a gun
Desert – to leave military duty without intending to return
Privateer – a privately owned ship that has government permission during wartime to attack an enemy’s merchant ships
James Forten – 14 year old son of a free African American sail maker; captured by British
John Paul Jones – won the most famous sea battle as commander of Bonhomme Richard

4. Soon after Saratoga, France agreed to support American independence.
France forms
an alliance with
the Americans
United
States
Eager to weaken Britain, France took the war to Europe, forcing the British to fight on many fronts.

5. Help from Abroad
1. What role did Benjamin Franklin play in helping America win the Revolution?
He persuaded France to be America’s ally
2. Why did France and Spain ally themselves with the United States?
Both were rivals of Britain
France was still bitter over its loss to Britain in the French and Indian War
3. How did America’s allies prevent Britain from focusing all its might on the Americans?
They forced Britain to spread its troops over many fronts, such as the West Indies

6. European volunteers from many nations made key contributions to the Patriot cause.
France
Marquis de
Lafayette
Officer in
Washington’s
army
Poland
Casimir
Pulaski
Cavalry
expert
Poland
Thaddeus
Kosciusko
Military
engineer

7. Friedrich von Steuben, a German baron, helped train American troops and build the Continental army into a more effective fighting force.

8. Europeans Help Washington
4. What were Lafayette’s early contributions?
Won respect and love from his men by sharing their hardships
Fought in many battles
Persuaded the French king to send a 6,000 man army to America
5. How did Barons de Kalb and von Steuben help General Washington?
Helped train inexperienced troops
Fought in battles

9. Despite Patriot advances, the winter of 1777–1778 was difficult.
Washington and his troops faced terrible hardships at Valley Forge. They had little warm clothing, and almost no food. Many died.
Yet spring finally came, and the army slowly regained strength for the battles ahead.

10. Winter at Valley Forge
6. What kinds of help did the Americans need from their European allies?
Supplies
Many only had blankets, lacked shoes
7. What hardships did American troops endure during the winter at Valley Forge?
Not enough food or warm clothing

11. Winter at Valley Forge
8. How did private citizens help the revolutionary cause?
Gave supplies, clothes, and food
9. What are two different explanations for why American soldiers did not desert?
Love of country
Love of General Washington

12. George Rogers Clark pushed west to strike British forts on the frontier.
Clark won key battles against the British and their Native American allies.
These victories allowed settlers to remain on the frontier.

13. Clark and other Americans were given help by the Spanish, who declared war on Britain in 1779.
Patriots

14. War on the Frontier
10. How did Clark justify his request for a command?
To defend the western frontier
He wanted Virginia to defend that region (Kentucky) against British soldiers and Native American allies
11. Why was Clark’s victory at Vincennes important to the revolutionary cause?
It gave Americans a hold on the vast region between the Great Lakes and the Ohio River

15. Gálvez also gave refuge to American ships in New Orleans harbor.
Bernardo de Gálvez, the governor of Louisiana, played a key role in Spanish attacks that captured British forts along the Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico.
Spanish
British
Gálvez also gave refuge to American ships in New Orleans harbor.

16. The Americans needed the help
The Americans needed the help. Their small navy was no match for the British fleet, which dominated the seas.
Thirteen
colonies
British ships blockaded most American ports

17. War at Sea
12. Why did the colonists need to challenge Britain’s control of the seas?
By 1777, Britain had about 100 warships off the American coast
This allowed Britain to control the Atlantic trade routes
13. What did privateers contribute to the war effort?
They captured hundreds of British ships
This disrupted trade, causing British merchants to call for the war to end
James Forten

18. A much-needed naval victory was won off the English coast when John Paul Jones refused to give up a long and difficult fight, forcing a British ship to surrender.
Privateers also helped the Americans, seizing supplies and goods from British merchant ships.

19. A Naval Hero 14. What effects did the victory of John Paul Jones have?
He defeated the British warship, Serapis, which raised American spirits
Angered the British
Bonhomme Richard and Serapis by William Gilkerson, Beverley R. Robinson Collection, US Naval Academy Museum