1. Lesson 4- A Nation is Born

2. Fighting the War
Following the loss of several battles, Americans began to question George Washington’s leadership.
By December of 1776, many Patriots left the army. Some chose to desert or run away.
Washington believed the revolution would fail.

3. Crossing the Delaware
In a last minute attempt to save the war effort, Washington planned a sneak attack in Trenton, New Jersey.
The Patriots had to cross the Delaware River to get from Pennsylvania to New Jersey.
On December 25, an icy storm blew through the area making it very difficult to travel!
When they finally arrived, the plan worked and the Hessians quickly surrendered!
Washington lost only two men during the battle and both had frozen to death!

5. The Turning Point
In June 1777, British General John Burgoyne concocted a plan to trap Patriot forces.
The plan: John Burgoyne led thousands of British soldiers from Canada to New York. Another British force would march to New York from the Southern Colonies, trapping the Patriots between them!
Unfortunately for the British, their supply wagons got stuck on the muddy forest roads!
This delay gave the Americans more time to gather troops.

6. The Turning Point
The Americans stood and fought in Saratoga, New York.
Burgoyne finally reached Saratoga on September 16.
By this time, the Patriots had many soldiers and built up walls of protection.
The two armies battled on September 19.
The British surrendered 10 days after the second battle at Saratoga which took place on October 7.
The battles at Saratoga are considered the turning point of the war!
This victory boosted American spirits and encouraged other countries to help the United States!

7. Help from Around the World
France-
France was convinced that the Americans could win the war following the battles at Saratoga.
The French and American governments signed a treaty of alliance.
They shipped troops, warships, money, and supplies.
France sent these items through Haiti which was the center of French trade and profit.
Why would the French want to help the United States?

8. Help from Around the World
Prussia-
Military instructor Baron Friedrich von Steuben arrived from Prussia.
He trained the American soldiers and taught them how to march in rows and fight together instead of separately.
By June 1778, the American Army was a well trained fighting machine ready for battle!

9. Help from Around the World
Poland
Thaddeus Kosciuszko was an engineer from Poland.
He designed forts that protected the Americans during battle.
Casimir Pulaski was a Polish soldier that served in Washington’s army and eventually became a general!
He died in battle.

10. Valley Forge
After the victory at Saratoga, Washington’s army faced an extremely harsh winter in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
Many soldiers became sick from the cold and hunger.
Almost 2,000 Patriot soldiers died from illnesses such as typhoid, influenza, and smallpox.

11. John Paul Jones “father of the American Navy”
Outside the Colonies
Many key battles of the Revolutionary War took place in the areas west of the Appalachian Mountains which is outside of the 13 colonies!
In February 1779, George Rogers Clark and his men attacked a British fort in Vincennes, Indiana.
They defeated the British.
Fighting also happened off the coast of Great Britain!
John Paul Jones “father of the American Navy”
George Rogers Clark

12. The Battle of Yorktown
General Cornwallis (British) led 8,000 British soldiers to Yorktown, Virginia in 1781.
But, one of Cornwallis’s servants was a spy for the Americans! (specifically Marquis de Lafayette.)
His name was James Armistead.
With Armistead’s information, the French navy (who were helping the U.S.) were able to set up a blockade to stop British ships.
Blockade- prevents the passage of people or supplies.

13. The Battle of Yorktown
While the French navy was setting up a blockade, Washington’s army joined Lafayette who was already near Yorktown.
Cornwallis (British) was surrounded!
The battle of Yorktown lasted for weeks.
Fresh supplies and troops could not get through to the British due to the blockade
On October 19, 1781 Cornwallis surrendered to Washington.
General Cornwallis

14. The Results of the War!
In 1783, the Treaty of Paris ended the American Revolution.
Under the agreement, Great Britain recognized American independence.
The Mississippi River became the United States new western border.
Washington wrote that the determination of the troops “through almost every possible suffering and discouragement for the space of eight long years, was little short of a standing miracle.”
Many people were injured or killed during the war. How do you think these casualties and losses affected life after the war……..?
Complete the activity on page 185!