Early Years of the RevolutionChapter 6, Section 1

Opposing Sides

• When colonies declared independence in July 1776—war was unavoidable.

• Both sides expected war to be short

• Those remaining loyal to Britain were called ______.• At least one in five colonists were Tories (maybe even 1 in 3).• Some people changed sides during war—depending on which

army was closer.

• Those fighting for independence were called ______.• Made up mainly of militia—local military forces (volunteers).

• Some remained neutral.• Not everyone supported independence• _________ opposed all armed conflict.

Benjamin Franklin

William FranklinVS.

Strengths

Britain Colonists

Well-trained and equipped army &

strongest navy in world

Familiarity of territory

Strong central government with a

strong economy

Capable leadership of Washington and other

generals

Larger population.Over 8 million people in

Britain, only 2.5 million in U.S.

A common cause—fighting for

independence

Weaknesses

Britain Colonists

Distance from homeland Many soldiers untrained and uneducated in

military tactics

Troops unfamiliar with terrain

Shortages of food and ammunition

Weak military leaders No central government to enforce wartime laws

No common cause to rally army or British people.Hessians=hired soldiers

Inferior navy and no regular army

African Americans in War

• British offered enslaved people freedom.• Patriots: some believed in Patriot cause, others

needed money, and some fought to earn freedom.• Over 5,000 African Americans joined Patriot cause.• Washington pleaded with Congress to get more men.• Southerners uncomfortable giving guns to slaves!

• African American who fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill

• Only colonial soldier specifically singled out for bravery and valor in the battle

•By most accounts, nearly three dozen blacks fought in the battle

• Poor was an ex-slave who had bought his freedom

Salem Poor

Women In War

• Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley joined husband in battle.• Soldiers called her

“Moll of the Pitcher” because she carried water pitchers to soldiers and water to cool down cannon barrels.

• Nicknamed _______________.

• After husband was killed in battle, she took his place as a gunner.

Molly Pitcher

Women In War

• Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a boy and enlisted in Cont. Army.

• Called herself Robert Shirtliffe.

• Wounded 2 times in battle and served 3 years before she was discovered to be a female.

Raising an Army

• Washington pleaded for longer terms of service.• Soldiers signed up for _____ year of service.

• Pleaded, “If we ever hope for success, we must have men enlisted for the whole term of the war.”

• Congress offered enlistments for 3 years or length of war—most soldiers signed up for only ______ year.

• One British soldier said after a battle:• Many of Patriot soldiers were not wearing shoes, socks, or

jackets!!!• Were in great need of money, supplies, and soldiers.

• After term of service, many soldiers went home or ran away.

Fighting in New York

• Summer of _____, Britain sent 32,000 troops to NY.• Washington had only about _______ troops that were

determined to fight!• August, 1776: Battle of Long Island

• Cont. Army defeated and retreated to Manhattan.• By November, they had retreated across NJ into Penn.

• ____________--teacher from Conn. who volunteered to spy on British troops.

• Disguised himself as a Dutch school teacher.• British discovered him and had him hanged!

“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” --Nathan Hale

American Victories in NJ

• British army settled in NY for winter of 1776.• Left some troops in Trenton and Princeton, New Jersey.• British armies usually called halt to war in wintertime.

• ____________ stationed across Delaware river from British camp in NJ.

• Saw a chance to catch them off guard.

• Christmas night, 1776, he took 2400 troops across icy river, trekked 9 miles through sleet and snow.

• Surprised British at ________ the next day.• Captured over 900 Hessians, plus ammunition.

• Lord Charles ________, sent reinforcements.• Washington led troops away from Cornwallis’s men.• Washington marched to ___________ on December 30, 1776 and

defeated British again.

Emanuel Leutze painted this well-known painting of Washington crossing the Delaware River on Christmas

night, 1776, to attack Trenton.

British Plans for Victory

• British formulate plan to take Albany and control Hudson River.

• This would separate ___________ colonies from the _________ colonies.

• Involved a 3-prong attack, led by John ________, who marched 8,000 troops south from Canada.

• 2nd Force—Lt. Colonel Barry _________, would move east from Lake Ontario.

• 3rd Group—General ____________ move north from New York City.

• 3 forces meet at Albany to destroy Patriot troops.

• Things didn’t work out as planned!

Howe, St. Leger, and Burgoyne

• Howe attacked and seized colonial capital of __________, then planned to link up with Burgoyne.

•Instead, met heavy resistance from the Cont. Army at Brandywine Creek and Germantown, and couldn’t get there.

•Spent winter in Philly.

• St. Leger advanced to Fort _________ and Oriskany, where his forces inflicted several American casualties, but also sustained heavy casualties as well.

• St. Leger found that the support of his Indian allies had deteriorated—eventually retreated back to Montreal.

• Burgoyne was left to fight Americans at ___________ without support from either of the other two commanders.

“Gentleman” Johnny Burgoyne

• Fight with style, not speed.• More interested in

gambling, writing plays, & high society.

• Misunderstood rough terrain.

• Traveled with more than 30 wagons, nearly 1 mile long.• Filled with luxury items like

champagne, his own bed, dishes, & furniture.

• He did capture Ft. Ticonderoga in 1777.