1. The American Revolution
Chp “Phase One ”
Standard: 8.1

2. Advantages and Disadvantages
British Advantages
A. Highly trained, professional army, most powerful in the world
B. Substantial financial resources
C. Support of many Loyalists in America
D. African-Americans joined the British as they were
promised freedom
E. Alliances with Native Americans by promising to return their lands
British Disadvantages
A. Fought far from home
B. Difficult to maintain supply lines (logistics)
C. British formal fighting style not suited for vast countryside
and wilderness

3. Advantages and Disadvantages
Patriot Advantages
A. Excellent leadership in George Washington
B. Financial support from France
C. Help from European soldiers
D. Knowledge of the land
E. Motivated in fighting for their freedom; willingness to fight
for a cause
Patriot Disadvantages
A. Soldiers lacked military experience and discipline
B. Lack of overall support for independence (less than 50%)
C. Lack of a true central government
D. Lacked financial resources

4. Phase One:
The war for American Independence (American Revolution) fought in three phases
First phase ( ) of the war took place primarily in New England
British underestimated and did not quite grasp the depth of patriot sentiment among many colonists
British thought rebellion was essentially a few pockets in the region
After the Battle of Bunker Hill and the siege of Boston, Britain withdraws to New York and reevaluated their war strategy

5. Phase two:
The Second phase ( ) of the war occurred primarily in the Middle Colonies
The British thought that if they could maintain control of New York, they could isolate rebellious New England from the rest of the colonies

6. Struggle for the Middle Colonies
The Battle for New York
Summer of 1776
British Victory
British amassed a large force to maintain and control New York
After months of warfare, Washington and the Continental Army forced to retreat
Significance
British occupied a major coastal city so that their navy could land troops and supplies
Allowed them to launch their military campaigns

7. Struggle for the Middle Colonies
The Battle at Trenton (New Jersey)
December 25, 1776
American Victory
Washington needed a victory to boost morale of the soldiers
Many of the troops enlistment ended at the end of the year
Washington crossed the icy Delaware River to New Jersey to launch an early morning surprise attack on the Hessians who celebrated Christmas eve the night before
The victory allowed the Patriots to gain much needed supplies and resources they lacked
Significance
Washington’s victory at Trenton and 8 days later at Princeton proved that he was better than they thought
The American army began attracting new troops

8. War in the Middle Colonies

10. Washington Crossing the Delaware

11. Battle of Saratoga New York, October 7, 1977
American Victory, turning point of the war
British strategy to seize the Hudson River Valley and cut-off New England from the other colonies
Three British armies were to rendezvous at Hudson River and surround the Continental Army
However, only one British army arrives and is forced to surrender
Significance
Turning point of the American Revolution as European nations, especially France thought that the Americans might win the war
France openly began to financially aid America

12. Battle of Saratoga