The The American American War War for for

Independence Independence (1776-1783)(1776-1783)

““These are the times that These are the times that try men’s souls”try men’s souls”

-Thomas Paine, 1780-Thomas Paine, 1780

War : European Tactics (1700s)War : European Tactics (1700s)

Great Britain -“rules” of Great Britain -“rules” of “gentlemanly” warfare“gentlemanly” warfare

No attacking at night, No attacking at night, No sneak attacks No sneak attacks Mercenaries were Mercenaries were

commoncommon Soldiers lowly regarded Soldiers lowly regarded

in British societyin British societyBritish “Redcoats”

War: American War: American Tactics (1700s)Tactics (1700s) Colonial warfare based Colonial warfare based

on style of Nativeson style of Natives ““Skulking” Skulking” style of style of

war included sneak war included sneak attacks, adjustments attacks, adjustments

Hid behind walls, no Hid behind walls, no uniforms, ambushed uniforms, ambushed enemiesenemies

Local militiasLocal militias

American militia

Colonial SoldierBritish “Redcoat”

Continental Army Continental Army Created by George Created by George

WashingtonWashington Fought alongside Fought alongside

various state militiasvarious state militias Provided Washington Provided Washington

with better idea of with better idea of soldiers’ capabilities and soldiers’ capabilities and length of service length of service

(1 year)(1 year) Washington’s greatest Washington’s greatest

accomplishment of the accomplishment of the warwar

Infantry training

Leaders of the RevolutionLeaders of the Revolution1

2 3

4

56

RRevolutionary evolutionary

LLeaderseaders1- George Washington- 1- George Washington- leader of Continental leader of Continental ArmyArmy

2- William Howe- 2- William Howe- head of British army in 1776head of British army in 17763- John Burgoyne- 3- John Burgoyne- defeated at Saratogadefeated at Saratoga4- Lord Cornwallis- 4- Lord Cornwallis- surrendered British army surrendered British army

at Yorktownat Yorktown5- Benedict Arnold- 5- Benedict Arnold- switched from American switched from American

to British after Saratogato British after Saratoga6- Nathaneal Greene- 6- Nathaneal Greene- RI native, Washington’s RI native, Washington’s

top field generaltop field general

Opening Opening MovesMoves!! British to seize NYBritish to seize NY

1776: Howe’s troops drive 1776: Howe’s troops drive Washington out of NYWashington out of NY

Washington and troops again Washington and troops again driven from Manhattan to White driven from Manhattan to White PlainsPlains

NY becomes the British NY becomes the British headquarters for the war!!headquarters for the war!!

Opening Moves Opening Moves Cont…Cont…

British begin to move onto Philly where the British begin to move onto Philly where the Continental Congress was meeting!Continental Congress was meeting!

Washington’s troops get word of this…Washington’s troops get word of this…

THREE BATTLES>>>>>THREE BATTLES>>>>>1.1. Battle of TRENTONBattle of TRENTON

2.2. SaratogaSaratoga

3.3. YorktownYorktown

1. Battle of 1. Battle of TrentonTrenton

December, 1776: Washington plans December, 1776: Washington plans surprise attack of Hessian camp at surprise attack of Hessian camp at Trenton, NJ.Trenton, NJ.

December 25: Washington attacks on December 25: Washington attacks on Christmas nightChristmas night, kills/captures 1,000 , kills/captures 1,000 menmen

3 days later: defeat of British at Princeton, 3 days later: defeat of British at Princeton, NJ forces British to return to NY for winterNJ forces British to return to NY for winter

Results of Battle of TrentonResults of Battle of Trenton Soldiers encouraged to Soldiers encouraged to

re-enlistre-enlist Morale of army shot upMorale of army shot up Washington Washington

showcased leadership showcased leadership skillsskills

22ndnd Guessing: Why did Guessing: Why did Howe not deal “knock-Howe not deal “knock-out” blow in NY?out” blow in NY?

Washington crossing the Delaware River on his way to Trenton

2. Saratoga: 2. Saratoga: France EntersFrance Enters 1777- British capture 1777- British capture

Philadelphia, Continental Philadelphia, Continental Congress escapesCongress escapes

Valley Forge- winter of 1777-Valley Forge- winter of 1777-78: nearly 2,500 American 78: nearly 2,500 American soldiers die from cold, food soldiers die from cold, food shortagesshortages

October 1777- Gen. October 1777- Gen. Burgoyne’s troops captured Burgoyne’s troops captured outside outside Saratoga, NYSaratoga, NY

Result: France enters warResult: France enters war Marquis de Lafayette

3. Yorktown, 1781: 3. Yorktown, 1781: War in War in the South the South

1778- British turn to 1778- British turn to South South

Savannah, GA and Savannah, GA and Charlestown, SC fell Charlestown, SC fell to British to British

Battle of Kings Battle of Kings Mountain- victory for Mountain- victory for Patriots!!!Patriots!!!

British surrender at British surrender at Yorktown (1781)Yorktown (1781)

Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, VA

Treaty of Paris (1783)Treaty of Paris (1783) British recognized British recognized

USA as a new USA as a new nation!!!!nation!!!!

Mississippi River is Mississippi River is western border (open to western border (open to British use)British use)

Florida given back to Florida given back to Spain!!Spain!!

France received France received colonies in Africa and colonies in Africa and CaribbeanCaribbean

Other Contributors to RevolutionOther Contributors to Revolution Women- cooking, nursing Women- cooking, nursing

of soldiers, taking control of of soldiers, taking control of family business, spiesfamily business, spies

African-Americans- African-Americans- British/Americans offered British/Americans offered freedom in exchange for freedom in exchange for military service (5,000 for military service (5,000 for America) America)

Loyalists- remained loyal to Loyalists- remained loyal to Britain, in some cases fled Britain, in some cases fled or lost landor lost land

“Molly Pitcher” helping colonial soldiers

Effects of RevolutionEffects of Revolution New political ideas New political ideas

(republic)(republic) New state constitutions New state constitutions

(guarantee of rights)(guarantee of rights) Voting rights expand Voting rights expand

(social class)(social class) Freedom of religionFreedom of religion Educational changesEducational changes American paintersAmerican painters

First flag of the United States

Why did Britain lose the Why did Britain lose the war???war???

Atlantic OceanAtlantic Ocean Tried to occupy a whole Tried to occupy a whole

continentcontinent American perseverance, American perseverance,

fighting spiritfighting spirit George Washington, George Washington,

other generalsother generals French aidFrench aid War unpopular in BritainWar unpopular in Britain

HMMMM…