1. vs. BRITISH Americans Redcoats: British soldiers
Loyalists: colonists loyal to England
Hessians: German hired soldiers
(Mercenaries)
Patriots: American soldiers of the
Continental Army
Minutemen:
Green Mountain
Boys
French and
Spanish

2. How they matched up Patriots Redcoats Advantages: Advantages:
Strong motivation
Fought on home ground
Superior “Guerilla” tactics
Excellent leadership in GW
Disadvantages:
Inexperienced, untrained army
*initially
Very little $
Small navy to defend huge coastline
Advantages:
Strongest army and navy in the world
A lot of $ for war supplies
Much larger army
Disadvantages:
Weak motivation
3,000 miles from home
Vast land to conquer and maintain control of

3. American Advantages British Advantages
Outstanding leadership and experienced officers like George Washington
Military Power. The strongest Army in the World!
Strong Motivation. Fighting for freedom! Use Guerrilla warfare.
Naval Power. Control the high seas. Strongest Navy in the world!
Better Rifles. More accurate and could hit targets from longer distances.
More money to fund the war. Hired German Mercenaries to fight.

4. 1. Which side had more advantages during the American Revolution?
British Advantages
Native American Support. Help navigate territory.
Superior numbers. Outnumbered the Patriots in most battles.
Questions:
1. Which side had more advantages during the American Revolution?
Great Britain
2. Which advantage do you think was the most important for this side?
Answers will vary.
U.S. Army:
35,000 Soldiers
44,500 Militia
55,000 Sailors
70,000 French & Spanish
Total – 246,500
British Army:
56,000 Soldiers
171,000 Sailors
30,000 German
50,000 Loyalist
13,000 Natives
Total – 320,000

5. American Disadvantages British Disadvantages
Short enlistments. Patriots only served in the army for 3 to 12 months.
Traditional fighting style. Fighting in lined ranks.
EASY TARGETS!
Inexperienced army. Untrained and undisciplined.
Distance. Fighting 3,500 miles away from home.
Bankrupt. No money to pay for war supplies.
Unmotivated. Fighting to hold on. Unaggressive officers.

6. American Disadvantages
Questions:
1. Which side had more disadvantages during the American Revolution?
Americans
2. Which disadvantage do you think was the worst for this side?
Answers will vary
American Disadvantages
Little if any Navy. Few ships to defend coast.
Critical Thinking: Based on the matching activity you just completed, which side looks like they should win the war because they have a massive edge? Provide specific examples to support your answer.

7. Guerilla Warfare:
a form of irregular warfare in which a small group of soldiers use tactics including ambushes, sabotage, hit-and-run tactics, to fight a larger and less-mobile traditional military. Americans used this tactic effectively against the British.

8. The Battle of Lexington and Concord 1775
Winner: British won Lexington, America won Concord.
Importance: Spark of the Revolution, 1st battle of the American Revolution.
Many called this battle the “shot heard around the world” because everyone was shocked and surprised the Americans declared war on England

9. The Battle of Ticonderoga 1775
Winner: Americans
Importance:
The 1st major victory for the Americans-with help from Green Mountain Boys they gained control of the waterways between Canada and the colonies and also seized cannons and ammo from the British fort that would later be used against the British.

10. The Battle of Bunker Hill 1775
Winner: British.
Importance:
Patriots tried to regain control of Boston from the British. Although the British drove the Americans away, it was not without heavy losses..
1,000 British casualties
Less than 100 for the Americans
Proved Patriots would be tough to beat.

11. The Battle of Long Island 1776
Winner: British.
Importance:
Washington’s Continental army retreated from the New England battle front prevented a total end to the War by successfully evacuating 10,000 American troops from British capture.

12. The Battle of Trenton 1776 Winner: America Importance:
Sneak attack on Hessian soldiers Christmas night. Americans captured over 1,000 British forces. Boosted American morale after being driven from the Battle of Long Island
Encourages more Americans to join the army.

13. The Battle of Saratoga 1777 Winner: America Importance:
Turning point in the Revolution for the Americans. A key victory that convinced France to join the war as an ally of America. France’s alliance provided America with the foreign aid (Navy and Army) necessary to defeat England.

14. Valley Forge Encampment of 1777-78
Winner:
Importance:
Winter encampment considered a low point in the war for the American troops. Many died from cold, starvation and disease.
On positive note, through Washington’s leadership, Continental Army received valuable military training that transformed them from rag tag soldiers into a highly disciplined army.

15. The Battle of Yorktown 1781 Winner: America Importance:
Final battle of the Revolution. British General Cornwallis surrendered to the combined forces of General Washington and his French allies in Yorktown, Virginia ending the war.

16. The Treaty of Paris, 1783
The peace agreement that officially ended the American Revolution.
Three negotiations were made:
England officially recognized
America as an independent
country
2. New boundaries were set, all
Territory East of the Mississippi River
All British forts were to be removed from North America