1. Advantages of the American Revolution
American Colonists
British   
Larger army (400% Larger)
Alliance with the French
Superior technology and weapons
Representative governments who supported the war effort
Funding
Very experienced officers and soldiers
Understood the land
Alliance with the Native Americans
Fighting for freedom and independence
Had easy access to supplies

2. Advantages of the American Revolution
American Colonists
British
Alliance with the French
Representative governments who supported the war effort
Understood the land
 Fighting for freedom and independence
Had easy access to supplies
Larger army (400% Larger)
Superior technology and weapons
Funding
Very experienced officers and soldiers
Alliance with the Native Americans
What was the biggest advantage for the colonists at the start of the American Revolution?
What was the biggest advantage for the British at the start of the American Revolution?
Based on this chart, who should win the war?

3. Patriots (Whigs) vs. Loyalists (Tories)
Why are Loyalists so concentrated near cities?
Why is the backcountry so contested?
Why would Native American Indians be Loyalists?

4. Who do you think had a more effective war strategy? Why?
Differing Strategies
American Colonists
British Army
Win a war of attrition
England had long supply lines
Colonials did not have to “win” just had to wear down the British
Guerilla tactics
Make an alliance with one of Britain’s enemies
“Divide & Conquer”
Use Loyalists
Encourage slave revolts
Seize property
Break the colonies in half by dividing the North & South
Blockade the ports to prevent trade with American allies
Who do you think had a more effective war strategy? Why?

6. America Story of Us
In the fall of 1781, a combined American force of Colonial and French troops laid seige to the British Army at Yorktown, Virginia. Led by George Washington and French General Comte de Rochambeau, they began their final attack on October 14th, capturing two British defenses and leading to the surrender, just days later, of British General Lord Cornwallis and nearly 9,000 troops. Yorktown proved to be the final battle of the American Revolution, and the British began peace negotiations shortly after the American victory.

7. Treaty of Paris (1783)
In 1783, the United States and Great Britain signed the Treaty of Paris that ended the American Revolution. There were several parts to the Treaty:
 1. The United States is an independent nation.
2. The boundaries of the United States are:
Mississippi River in the west
Canada in the north
Spanish Florida in the South
3. Each side agrees to pay the debt it owes to the other.
4. British must return all enslaved colonists.
5. Congress would recommend that the states return any property taken from the Loyalists.

9. Political Effects U.S. officially recognized as independent nation
13 “united” states
State constitutions guaranteed basic rights and freedoms
Created the Articles of Confederation, which created a very weak central government and gave most of the power to the state legislatures.

10. Economic Effects End mercantilism and restrictions on trade
Need to industrialize
End trade preferences within the British empire (lost some of our best customers)
High unemployment
Cost of American Revolution
(In million of Sterling Pounds)

11. Social Effects
Identity of “American”
Social mobility
Westward migration encouraged
Separation of church and state
Increased importance of education to democracy

12. Closing Question
What do you believe is the biggest challenge the new nation of the United States of America must face following the American Revolution?