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The War for American Independence Chapter 7
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You Say You Want a Revolution? The newly formed United States of America declares independence July 4 th, 1776 Just One SLIGHT Problem: –No other country recognizes us as being independent
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Divisions in Colonial America Not all colonists were supportive of the war Loyalists made up 20- 30% of the population 40-45% were Patriots 25-40% were Pacifists and/or Neutral Northern colonies were mostly Patriots Southern states were Loyalist
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Reasons for Remaining Loyal AKA – “Tories” Some held jobs by the crown or parliament Some feared disorder without a king Some were members of the Anglican Church, headed by the king Some slaves were promised their freedom if they fought for the British
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Reasons for Wanting American Independence AKA – Patriots No taxation without representation Colonies were self- sustaining Wanted religious freedom Some just wanted more land out west
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Reasons for Being a Pacifist or Neutral Party Many such as the Quakers did not approve of war for religious reasons Remaining neutral allowed for partnerships with both sides, and later with the victor
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What About the Native Americans? Native American populations were severely divided Some tribes joined the British (fears of Americans taking more of their land) Others joined the Americans (had previous positive partnerships) Splits caused the largest war in Native American history!
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#PatriotArmyProblems CComplied from state militias MMen were untrained, unskilled, and unprepared SSoldiers enlisted for only one year NNumbers never reached over 17,000 men
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Off to a Lousy Start American armies lost almost all early battles they fought British were far better organized Congress did not fund armies well enough for quality equipment, supplies, food or medical care.
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#BritishArmyProblems Many officers refused to fight against Americans Soldiers enlisted for life The war was expensive and unpopular in England The British had to hire many mercenary soldiers from Germany called Hessians
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George Washington’s Leadership George Washington had fought in the French and Indian War and was a great military strategist However, Americans lost almost every early battle in the war Moral was very low in the fall/winter of 1776 Washington knew he needed a victory before the end of the year
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Surprising Them in their Undies! Battle of Trenton
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Battle of Trenton December 1776 OOn the night of December 25, 1776, George Washington crossed the freezing Delaware River to attack Hessians. TThe American troops surprised Hessian mercenary soldiers in an early morning raid and captured nearly 1,000 men. There were no American casualties TThe battle was a major victory for the Americans, as morale was boosted and soon the army began to attract recruits as a result
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Battle of Saratoga Hope for the Colonies!
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Battle of Saratoga October 1777 October 7, 1777; Saratoga, New York Turning point in the war – Victory at Saratoga American General Heratio Gates faced off against British General John Burgoyne (Benedict Arnold was the hero, but General Gates gets all the credit – remember this later on) Ended a major British threat in the northern colonies
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Why did the Battle of Saratoga take place? The British plan was to cut the colonies in two along the New York state line like a snake– because when you cut off a snake’s head it dies! This plan did not work because the colonists killed British generals and Native American guides, and by doing so did not follow eighteenth-century laws of war.
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American Victory! Burgoyne is forced to surrender.
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Gaining New Allies! Upon hearing of the American victory at Saratoga, European countries like France and Spain declared their recognition of the United States of America and fully supported their war for independence. Help from France in particular was necessary in winning the war!
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Merci, France! France lost their North American colonies to the British during the French and Indian War, and they are still bitter. France sent badly needed supplies such as funds and troops, to the colonies. France also convinced their ally, Spain, to also help the colonists. Britain was now forced to fight a two- front war: by land and by sea.
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Foreign Officers Who Helped Washington In addition to funds, troops and supplies the French send Marquis de Lafayette to help the Americans. Lafayette used his own money to provide warm food and shelter for his men and convinced the king of France –Louis XVI (16 th ) to send a 6,000 men army to America. (Meanwhile, Louis XVI had been already giving secret aid to the Americans). Another important general from Germany was named Baron de Kalb who had also fought for the French, who was very brave and trusted by George Washington.
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“ These are the times that try men’s souls…” – Thomas Paine
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Valley Forge, Pennsylvania Winter of 1777 When British troops took Philadelphia in September of 1777, General Washington was forced to make winter camp about 20 miles from Philadelphia at Valley Forge. It was a miserable winter for the 10,000 soldiers of the Continental Army at Valley Forge. Washington’s army lacked supplies such as blankets, food and shoes. 2500 men – or about 1/4 of the army - died that winter from malnutrition, exposure or diseases such as smallpox and typhoid fever. Congress was slow to respond to Washington’s requests for more supplies, and many soldiers deserted the army.
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Hey Americans, Get It Together! Though times were tough, Washington’s determination and patriotism inspired men to keep fighting. Another important addition to the Continental Army was German Officer Baron Friedrich von Steuben. He taught soldiers how to handle rifles and fight in formal battles against the British. After the hard winter at Valley Forge the American army emerged a more efficient and stronger fighting machine!
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