1. The Early Years of the War
Chapter 7 section 1

2. Americans Divided 20-30% were loyalists (cites, NY, in south)
40-45% were patriots (N.E. , V.A.)
The rest are neutral
Natives America are split too
Many African Americans fight for British

3. Creating an Army George Washington commander of the Continental Army
Men enlist for 1 year
Army never has more than 17,000 men
Soldiers need more supplies, guns, ammunition, training
Women help army by cooking, doing laundry, nursing wounded soldiers, some even fight in disguise

4. Strategies WASHINGTON BRITISH keep his army in the field
win small battles
avoid major battles until the army is larger
BRITISH
seize Hudson River Valley
3 British armies plan to meet in Albany

5. Struggle for Middle States
British withdraw from Boston, Washington, army go to New York City
9,000 Hessian mercenaries arrive to fight for British (August 1776)
Washington’s army retreats through New Jersey
Thomas Paine publishes The American Crisis, encourages American troops
Americans defeat Hessians at Trenton, Princeton (December 1776)

7. Battles Along the Mohawk
• St. Leger fights Americans at Fort Stanwix, summer of 1777
St. Leger’s forces include Iroquois led by Mohawk chief Joseph Brant
Benedict Arnold spreads rumor that Americans have a large army
St. Leger’s troops retreat

8. Continental Army near Saratoga, NY
Series of battles break out
British forced to retreat
Burgoyne’s army is surrounded, Burgoyne surrenders
Battles of Saratoga

9. Results of the Battle of Saratoga
convinces European nations that Americans might win the war
Benedict Arnold angry about lack of recognition, betrays his army