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The American Revolution
The Early Years of the War The War Expands The Path to Victory The Legacy of the War
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The Early Years of the War
Choosing sides Loyalists 20-30% Pacifists like Quakers Deep South Patriots 40-45% New England & Virginia Neutral Preparing for War George Washington appointed commander State militias Began a regular army 1 year enlistment Poorly supplied Aided by women who followed to cook, sew, etc.
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The Early Years of the War
War in Middle States Moves from Boston to New York British send large army under General William Howe Hessian soldiers (German mercenaries) Americans retreat to New Jersey Victory at Trenton Christmas night attack Britain’s northern strategy To gain control of Hudson river valley General John Burgoyne from Canada General William Howe from New York St. Leger from Great Lakes Howe went to Philadelphia & Burgoyne was too slow Benedict Arnold stopped British at & St.Leger Saratoga victory – a Turning Point Continental army under Washington force Burgoyne to surrender European nations decide to help against British
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The War Expands American Allies Foreign officers Valley Forge France
Spain Foreign officers Marquis de Lafayette Baron von Steuben Casimir Pulaski Valley Forge Harsh winter outside Philadelphia ¼ of Washington’s men died Shortages of food, clothing, & shoes Aided by private citizens Army grew stronger Training & strong surviving
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The War Expands Frontier Fighting War at sea George Rogers Clark
Began to control Midwest region Defeated Henry Hamilton (hair buyer) War at sea Privateers John Paul Jones “I have not yet begun to fight” Took the fight to England
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The Path to Victory British change strategy Yorktown & victory
Move to the south Lord Cornwallis Charles Town Guerilla war Francis Marion “Swamp Fox” Nathanael Greene Yorktown & victory Setting the trap Washington moves south British trapped on peninsula Redoubts French navy
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The Path to Victory Why Americans won Motivation Civilian support
Patriots fought for their own land Civilian support Leadership George Washington Foreign allies Communication & supplies British too far from home Troop strength Militia made total up to 250,000 compared to British 54,000
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Legacy of the War Costs of war Treaty of Paris (1783)
25,000 Americans died $27 million debt Loyalists lost everything Treaty of Paris (1783) United States was independent All territory east of Mississippi river, north of Florida, & south of Canada Fishing rights off Canadian coast Debts had to be paid to the other side British had to return captured slaves Congress would recommend states return land taken from Loyalists
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Legacy of the War Native American threats Creating a new nation
New land in Midwest (northwest) Creating a new nation State governments All had constitutions by 1777 Republic Organization of states Governed by the people without a king Conflict with slavery & liberty Elizabeth Freeman Sued for freedom in Massachusetts & won Richard Allen Established Free African society in Philadelphia Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom Jefferson proposal that became law in Virginia
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