The American The American RevolutionRevolution

Chapter 6Chapter 6

I.The Opposing SidesI.The Opposing Sides

1.1. No one expected the war to last long.No one expected the war to last long.

2.2. The Patriots faced several obstacles:The Patriots faced several obstacles:A. Britain had a larger population–over 8 million

against 2.5 million.

B. Britain had the strongest navy in the world and a well-trained army as well.

C. The Americans did not have a regular army or navy.

D. Many colonists belonged to militias who were basically volunteers and served for short periods of time.

ContinueContinue

3.3. Some African Americans were promised Some African Americans were promised freedom if they fought for the British – so freedom if they fought for the British – so they became Tories.they became Tories.

4.4. Patriots had some advantages:Patriots had some advantages: Fought on their own ground (home court)Fought on their own ground (home court) Personal stake in fightingPersonal stake in fighting George Washington (An excellent General)George Washington (An excellent General)

5.5. Raising an Army was hard. Congress had Raising an Army was hard. Congress had difficulties getting money & soldiers. difficulties getting money & soldiers. Soldiers could sign up for 1 or 3 year Soldiers could sign up for 1 or 3 year terms.terms.

6.6. Some women also fought in the war.Some women also fought in the war.

II. Fighting in NY & NJII. Fighting in NY & NJ

1.1. British troops out numbered Americans British troops out numbered Americans (32,000 in 1777).(32,000 in 1777).

2.2. GB defeated Americans at the Battle of GB defeated Americans at the Battle of Long Island. Washington retreated to Long Island. Washington retreated to PN.PN.

3.3. C. Army faced many obstacles. Few C. Army faced many obstacles. Few supplies, soldiers ran away, & low supplies, soldiers ran away, & low morale.morale.

4.4. Still, Washington managed to defeat GB Still, Washington managed to defeat GB at Trenton and Princeton NJat Trenton and Princeton NJ

III. British Plan for VictoryIII. British Plan for Victory

1.1. British planned to gain control of British planned to gain control of Albany & the Hudson River and Albany & the Hudson River and separate New England from the rest separate New England from the rest of the colonies.of the colonies.

2.2. The Americans were able to slow The Americans were able to slow down the British.down the British.

3.3. New York would remain in the hands New York would remain in the hands of the British for most of the war.of the British for most of the war.

IV. American AlliesIV. American Allies

1.1. France & Spain (both enemies of GB) decided to France & Spain (both enemies of GB) decided to help the Americans out.help the Americans out.

2.2. France gave money, equipment, and troops France gave money, equipment, and troops (especially a navy).(especially a navy).

3.3. Washington spent a hard winter at Valley Forge Washington spent a hard winter at Valley Forge (PN).(PN).

4.4. A French nobleman, Marquis de Lafayette, A French nobleman, Marquis de Lafayette, spent the winter at Valley Forge and offered spent the winter at Valley Forge and offered much support.much support.

5.5. Getting money to pay for the war continued to Getting money to pay for the war continued to be a problem. Paper money becomes be a problem. Paper money becomes worthless.worthless.

V. Life on the HomefrontV. Life on the Homefront

1.1. Women often took over duties of Women often took over duties of men while they were off fighting.men while they were off fighting.

2.2. Loyalists continued to face hard Loyalists continued to face hard times. Many fled to England and times. Many fled to England and Canada.Canada.

3.3. The issue of slavery was questioned, The issue of slavery was questioned, especially in light of the ideals of especially in light of the ideals of freedom for which people went to freedom for which people went to war.war.

VI. Glory at SeaVI. Glory at Sea

1.1. GB had a powerful navy & was able GB had a powerful navy & was able to face battles at sea, blockade to face battles at sea, blockade harbors, and cut of supplies and harbors, and cut of supplies and reinforcements.reinforcements.

2.2. Americans used privateers (privately Americans used privateers (privately owned merchant ships).owned merchant ships).

3.3. John Paul Jones became a naval hero John Paul Jones became a naval hero as a result of his battle near GB. as a result of his battle near GB. After a 3 hour fight, he won After a 3 hour fight, he won (although his ship sank) (although his ship sank)

VII. Struggle in the SouthVII. Struggle in the South

1.1. In 1778, GB knew that it would be hard to In 1778, GB knew that it would be hard to unite the colonies again. So they focused unite the colonies again. So they focused on the South which had many loyalists.on the South which had many loyalists.

2.2. By late 1778, GB occupied Savannah, by By late 1778, GB occupied Savannah, by 1780, Charles Town (the worst defeat in 1780, Charles Town (the worst defeat in the Rev. War).the Rev. War).

3.3. General Charles Cornwallis (GB) remained General Charles Cornwallis (GB) remained in the south as commander of the British.in the south as commander of the British.

4.4. The Patriots used guerrilla warfare to fight The Patriots used guerrilla warfare to fight the British. Frances Marion was the most the British. Frances Marion was the most successful. successful.

Cont.Cont.

5.5. In April, 1781, Cornwallis marched In April, 1781, Cornwallis marched north into Virginia (nearly capturing north into Virginia (nearly capturing Jefferson). He set up camp at Jefferson). He set up camp at Yorktown, Virginia.Yorktown, Virginia.

6.6. Washington sent Lafayette to fight Washington sent Lafayette to fight Cornwallis. The battle for the South Cornwallis. The battle for the South was almost over, but both sides was almost over, but both sides needed a victory to win.needed a victory to win.

VIII. Victory & VIII. Victory & IndependenceIndependence

1.1. Washington planned a complex, secret Washington planned a complex, secret takeover of Yorktown. He originally takeover of Yorktown. He originally planned on attacking NY City, but planned on attacking NY City, but changed his mind because a French fleet changed his mind because a French fleet wouldn’t be able to help him.wouldn’t be able to help him.

2.2. Yorktown plan was kept a secret. 3 groups Yorktown plan was kept a secret. 3 groups were to meet there and the surprise the were to meet there and the surprise the British.British.

3.3. The plan worked. By the end of The plan worked. By the end of September, 14,000 French and American September, 14,000 French and American troops trapped Cornwallis 7,500 troops. troops trapped Cornwallis 7,500 troops. The rest of the British army was stuck in The rest of the British army was stuck in NY City.NY City.

ContCont

4.4. On October 11, American and French On October 11, American and French troops bombarded the British. On troops bombarded the British. On Oct. 19, Cornwallis surrendered.Oct. 19, Cornwallis surrendered.

5.5. Fighting continued, but the British Fighting continued, but the British realized that it would be too costly to realized that it would be too costly to continue the war.continue the war.

6.6. Delegates met in Paris to sign a Delegates met in Paris to sign a peace treaty.peace treaty.

IX. Treaty of ParisIX. Treaty of Paris

1.1. Treaty of Paris said:Treaty of Paris said:A. Britain recognized the United States as an independent nation

B. the United States territory extended from the Atlantic Ocean west to the Mississippi River and from Canada in the north to Spanish Florida in the south

C. the British promised to withdraw all troops and agreed to give Americans the right to fish off the coast of Canada

D. the United States agreed that British merchants could collect on debts owed by Americans

E. property taken from Loyalists would be returned to them

Cont.Cont.

1.1. George Washington gave up his George Washington gave up his command on December 4.command on December 4.

2.2. Americans won the war because:Americans won the war because:A. Americans fought on their own land.

B. Americans controlled the countryside, where they knew the local terrain, even though Britain captured the cities.

C. Help from other nations contributed to the victory.

D. Mostly, the people fought the battles with determination and belief in their ideals.