The War for Independence

1775-1783

King George III

King of England during the American Revolution. He wanted to punish the

colonists rather than seek a peaceful solution to the problem.

King George III is often known as the "King who lost the colonies."

Up to the day King George III died, he refused to acknowledge

American independence and continued to refer to Americans as

“Those Colonists.”

George III's Madness- Ready Steady Feast [Horrible Histories]

George III's Madness- His Doctors [Horrible Histories]

Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys captured fort along with its

cannons and gunpowder.

Fort Ticonderoga (Upstate New York)

Taking Sides

The Colonists Were Divided.

A. Supporters of independence.

1. 1/3 population.

B. Loyalists or Tories

1. Pro British

2. 1/3 population.

C. Individuals that didn't care.

a. 1/3 population.

History Fun Fact:

During the American Revolution, more inhabitants of the American colonies fought for the British

than for the Continental Army.

Patriot

Neutral

Loyalist

African Americans in the American Revolution

African Americans favored both sides in the American Revolution, however

more favored the British side hoping to assist the British in return for freedom.

Whites in the colonies feared the possibility of slave revolts, especially in the

South, where slaves often outnumbered the white population.

Black Soldiers Video & British Slave Troops Video

In 1775, Lord Dunmore, the Governor of Virginia, issued

a proclamation in which he offered to free any slave who

would leave their patriot masters to join the British

forces. Because of this proclamation, the Colonial Second

Continental Congress, in 1776, modified an earlier policy

that prohibited enlistment of blacks in the Continental

Army.

Loyalists

Colonists who remained loyal to the Crown were called Loyalists, or

Tories. Often times, loyalists were upper class citizens who lived in cities

instead of the country. Loyalists were nonviolent in their approach, much

less so than their patriot brothers. These colonists were often mocked and

insulted by their peers.

Reasons to remain loyal:

•Wanting to keep their wealth

•Having family members in England

•Having a job in the government

•Believing England was justified

Southern Loyalists Video

Tories

Colonists who fought on the side of the British during the American Revolution.

Patriots

The Patriots of the American Revolution were colonists who wanted

independence from England. These patriots weren't rich or high end citizens,

but the middle/lower class of the colony. Many patriots lived in rural areas,

and had more labor intensive jobs, such as fishing and farming. These men

and women felt that the British had wronged them, and wanted to be free

from the Crown. They were willing to resort to violent means if necessary.

Tomahawk Scene

[The Patriot]

The Opposing Sides British Advantages:

1. Outnumbered the Americans 11 million to 2.5 million.

2. Possessed the world's largest navy.

3. One of the world's best professional armies.

British Disadvantages:

1. Had to Recruit Foreigners to Help Fight.

a. American loyalists or Tories (21,000)

b. Hessian (German) mercenaries (30,000)

c. Indians (Sided with the British against the westward

moving, land- hungry Americans.

2. Could not maintain the 3,000-mile supply line.

3. Able to capture cities, but not completely defeat

Washington’s Army.

4. Lacked the support from home.

a. Many British citizens were against the war.

American Advantages:

1. Knew the terrain.

2. Did not have to beat the British, just resist long

enough for the British to tire and quit.

American Disadvantages:

1. 1/3 of population supported the war.

2. Lacked experienced officers.

3. No money, depended on donations or stole supplies.

4. In the beginning, the army was an untrained mob.

The Opposing Sides

History Fun Fact:

The song, "Yankee Doodle" was originally sung by British Soldiers to insult

the colonialists (which was typical of the British in those days). The

Continental Army took to singing it to annoy the British (which was typical of

the colonialists).

Continental Army

Official name given to the colonial forces during the American Revolution.

"Don't shoot till you see the

whites of their eyes."

Captain Prescott.

Colonial Defenses on Bunker's Hill

The colonial militia set up cannons north of Boston on Bunker Hill

[Actually on Breed’s Hill,] which overlooked Boston Harbor.

The colonial militia would then able to bombard the British fleet in Boston

Harbor.

British generals Howe and Gage didn’t like the situation and ordered an

immediate assault to capture Bunker Hill.

Bunker Hill: Map

17 June 1775

Battle of Bunker Hill In June 1775, British troops launched a series of attacks against two hills

occupied by American forces outside of Boston.

The British eventually won the battle but suffered far greater casualties than

the Americans.

Battle of Bunker Hill was actually

fought on nearby Breed’s hill.

It took the British three charges to

finally capture the hill, but only after

the Colonists ran out of ammunition.

Battle of Bunker Hill Results:

_________________

Americans

1,500 Engaged

452 Loss

_________________

British

4,000 Engaged

1,054 Loss

The British lost 1/4 of their army to capture Bunker Hill. It was a sign

indicating that this war would become a drawn out and costly.

George Washington

Commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

British Capture New York 1776

The summer 1776 was a disaster for Washington in New York. The British

under General Howe landed 30,000 soldiers on Long Island and quickly

captured New York City, an important seaport.

After three months of fighting, the Continental Army was reduced from

19,000 to 3,500 soldiers.

Desertion was rampant among the Continental

army during the Long Island Campaign that

Washington issued an order to hang or shoot all

deserters to prevent a total collapse of the army.

General Howe was confident after defeating

Washington that he boosted total victory and forecast

an end to the war.

Thomas Paine wrote in the American Crisis, “ These are the times that try

men’s souls.”

HISTORY FUN FACT:

During the Battle for New York in 1776,

the British captured a young colonist

carrying orders for General Washington.

Because he was wearing civilian clothes,

the British hanged Nathan hale as a spy.

Nathan Hale's body was left hanging for

several days on the post road near the site

of his execution and later was buried in

an unmarked grave. He was 21 years old.

"I only regret that I have but one life to lose

for my country."

Nathan Hale, American patriot.

Last words before he was hanged by

the British as a spy.

An American Crisis

John Locke

John Locke

John Locke was a British political philosopher who challenged the old view

that monarchs possess a God-given right to rule with citizens obligated to

obey. He believed that people were born with certain "natural rights," that

no government could morally take away.

John Locke’s political philosophy deeply influenced Thomas Jefferson’s

writing of the Declaration of Independence.

John Hancock

President of the Second Continental Congress. Famous for his large

signature on the Declaration of Independence.

John Hancock, the President of the Second Continental Congress. He is renown (famous) for being the first person to sign

the Declaration of Independence with his name in LARGE letters. He said he didn’t want King George III to miss his name

when they sent it to England. Today if someone asks you for your John Hancock they are asking you for your signature or

autograph.

The Virginia proposal for independence was accepted by colonists and signed on

July 4, 1776. No longer separate English colonies... but The United Colonies of

America.

July 4, 1776: Independence at Last

History Fun Fact:

In the Declaration of Independence as first written by Thomas Jefferson, there was a clause abolishing slavery.

Because of pressure from the southern colonies Jefferson was forced to delete the clause.

1776- Slavery video 1776- The Egg Video 1776- The Vote Video

Crossing the Delaware (Christmas Night, 1776)

Washington and 2,500 men crossed the Delaware River on Christmas

Night and attacked the German (Hessian) troops at Trenton, N.J. the

next morning.

Hessians

Germans hired to fight for the British.

Battle of Trenton (Dec 26, 1776)

A bold move taken by Washington's army on Christmas night 1776 which

allowed them to surprise the Hessians at Trenton, New Jersey and \

captured all their food and supplies. Huge victory for George Washington.

Battle of Trenton [Scene from the Crossing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF-Y7s_YIAU

The objective was to capture and control the Hudson River and New York

State from Albany to New Jersey. Three British armies involved in the

operation would split the New England colonies from the rest of the other

rebelling colonies. Once this was accomplished the British could restore

order in the colonies by concentrating on one area at a time. The Albany

Plan failed because the three British armies failed to meet at the right time.

Albany Plan of 1777 (Summer 1777)

General Burgoyne:

From Canada south to

Albany

General Howe:

From New York City to

Albany

General St. Leger:

From Canada to west, then

east to Albany.

The Albany Plan: What Was Suppose to Happen

Saratoga

This U.S. victory in 1777 was the ‘turning point” of the American Revolution.

It was especially important because it convinced the French that the U.S. could

win.

Benedict Arnold defeated the

British at Saratoga. His last major

victory before becoming a traitor.

British Defeat at Saratoga

The Albany Plan failed because the three British armies failed to meet at the

right time.

• Howe disobeyed his orders and decided to capture Philadelphia.

• St. Legar and his Indian allies were stopped at Oriskany (western New

York)

• Only Burgoyne arrived, but was defeated by Benedict Arnold.

Benjamin Franklin

The Continental Congress sent him to Paris to try to convince the French

to form an open alliance with the US.

I. France, Spain, and Holland come to the American aid.

A. Ben Franklin became the U.S. ambassador to France.

1. France sent money, troops, and ships to America.

2. Spain and Holland also join the American alliance.

a. Both countries wanted to hurt their old enemy- England.

3. The American Revolution became a World War.

France Spain Netherlands

We’re Not Alone Anymore…

Benjamin Franklin

News of France’s assistance

quickly reached American

colonists.

U.S. and French Alliance

France promised money, troops, and the support of the French navy.

Valley Forge (Winter of 1777-1778)

Washington spent the summer and fall 1777 fighting a series of cat and mouse

with the British before retreating to a winter camp in Pennsylvania.

Valley Forge was where Washington's army endured a harsh winter of 1777-

1778.

It proved to be a very difficult time for Continental army as the troops had

little food or proper shelter. As many as 3,000 of the 11,000 troops died of

starvation and disease.

Baron Friedrich Von Steuben

Prussian who trained the Continental army at Valley Forge.

However, Valley Forge also ended up being valuable time of training that left the Continental Army better

prepared to meet the British in battles to come once the warm weather returned.

Valley Forge [Story of US]

I. America decided to take the war to sea.

A. The legend of John Paul Jones.

1. Father of the United States Navy.

B. We did better fighting at sea than we did on land.

C. The Colonies employed Privateers to help fight the British navy.

1. Private citizens with ships the attacked British ships in exchange for a

share of the spoils.

a. Rewards of up to 50-75% of what was taken.

John Paul Jones:

The Father of the United States Navy.

Victory at Sea

Lord Cornwallis

British commander who fought the American army in the Carolinas and

surrendered to Washington at Yorktown.

I. The British Southern Campaign.

A. The war spread to the Southern Colonies.

1. British hoped to split the southern

colonies away from the rest of the nation.

a. Southerners hadn't been as hostile as the New England colonies.

b. British hoped the Tories would help out.

War in the Southern Colonies (1778-1780)

Banastre Tarleton as

portrayed in the “Patriot”

HISTORY FUN FACT:

BANASTRE TARLETON: Led the British cavalry during

the war. Infamous for murdering Colonial soldiers who

surrendered and for conducting harsh acts against

civilians. He is portrayed in the film “The Patriot.”

However, the real Tarleton fled to England after the war

and lived out his remaining years disgraced.

The Real Banastre Tarleton Church Burning [Scene from the Patriot]

Marquis de Lafayette (1757–1834)

A French soldier and politician who helped the Americans during the American

Revolution and fought at the Battle of Yorktown. He also persuaded the French

king Louis XVI to send more soldiers to America to fight the British.

Towns and cities are named after Marquis de Lafayette in several states, including Indiana,

Louisiana, and Alabama. He was made an honorary citizen of the US by George W Bush in 2002.

War in the Southern Colonies:

1778-1783

Cornwallis decided to retreat to Yorktown to await supplies from sea.

A large army under the command of Washington (American) and

Lafayette (French) surrounded Cornwallis (British) at Yorktown.

The French navy prevented Cornwallis' escape to sea and all badly needed

supplies from reaching his demoralized army.

Yorktown Campaign

Despite Lord Cornwallis’s surrender at

Yorktown, the war would last another two

uneventful years.

His wife died during the siege at Yorktown,

only adding to his gloom and despair.

Yorktown

On October 19, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered to Washington at Yorktown.

Yorktown Video Did You Know? When the British surrendered after the Battle of Yorktown, a band played “Yankee

Doodle,” a melody that may have begun in southern Europe in the Middle Ages. The words of “Yankee

Doodle” were written by an English army surgeon. The words were meant to make fun of the

inexperienced and poorly trained American troops during the French and Indian War. The American

troops, however, liked the song so much that it was sung by American troops during the Revolutionary

War.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

Treaty ending the American Revolution.

Great Britain officially recognized the independence of the United States.

Treaty of 1783: Map