1. The American Revolution

2. Review Bunker Hill Olive Branch Petition Common Sense
The Declaration of Independence

3. American Hard Times
Continental Army was inexperienced and poorly equipped
Struggled to keep its recruits
Struggled to pay wages
Many soldiers refused to reenlist
Many soldiers returned home at planting or harvest time

4. American Money Troubles
Continental Congress didn’t have the power to tax
B/g issuing paper money
Not backed by gold or silver
B/c almost worthless very quickly
Robert Morris – wealthy Pennsylvania merchant and banker
Gave large amounts of money for the war effort
Arranged for foreign loans

5. British Take NYC British capture New York City
Use it as their headquarters for the rest of the war
Separate the New England Colonies from the Southern Colonies
Washington sends Captain Nathan Hale to spy on the British
Caught by the British and hanged
“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

6. American Morale Thomas Paine writes another pamphlet
The American Crisis
Encourage soldiers to continue the fight & stay in the army
Help boost morale

7. Calm Winter?
Both sides march to Philadelphia during the winter of 1776
British troops dispersed into winter quarters in New Jersey
Armies didn’t fight in the winter in the 1700’s
Washington decides on a surprise attack!

8. Crossing the Delaware December 25, 1776
Washington leads his men across the icy Delaware River
They attacked a group of Hessians at Trenton, NJ in the middle of a sleet storm
Killed or captured almost 1,000 men
Hessians – group of German soldiers who fought w/ Britain against the colonists
After the victory Washington headed to Northern New Jersey for the winter

9. The British 3-Pronged Plan (1777)
Purpose – Take N.Y.  isolate New England from the other U.S. states
3-Pronged Plan
1 force into northern N.Y.
1 force into western N.Y.
1 force into southern N.Y (General Howe’s troops)
3 forces meet in Albany, NY; then go east into New England
Not coordinated well
General Howe moved his troops and did not hold up his end of the plan

10. Three-Pronged Plan

11. A Turning Point Battle of Saratoga (New York, 1777)
Huge colonists victory!!!!
Due to Howe’s failure do his part of the 3-Pronged Plan
British troops ambushed by militia and General Benedict Arnold’s troops
At this time he was a loyal American general
A turning point b/c after this France decides to send troops to the U.S.
Instrumental in us winning the war!

12. Winter Training
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania – quarters for the patriots in winter of
Large number of army dies
Disease, food shortages, bitter cold, etc.
However, army receives training from French & Prussian sympathizers!
Marquis de Lafayette (French)
Baron Friedrich von Steuben
(Prussian/German)

13. American Naval Hero
John Paul Jones – commanded the ship Bonhomme Richard
Attacked the British ship Serapis
Jones’ ship almost sank – “I have not yet begun to fight!”
Attached his ship to the Serapis
Boarded the British ship
The British surrendered
after more than three
hours of fighting