6-2 A Critical Time
A you read and discuss with your group, write down important facts about your topic. After becoming
an expert, you will share your findings with a group of classmates and learn about their topics as well.
Important Ideas:
1.
2.
3.
Summary
Other Facts
Attack & Retreat




William Howe
attacked
Washington’s
force in NY
British
outnumbered
Americans34,000 troops,
10,000 sailors,
Washington has
20,000 poorly
trained soldiers
British force
Americans out
of NY
Nathan Hale




Was a CT
officervolunteered
to be a spy
Caught for
this
Tried,
convicted,
and hanged
“I only regret
that I have
but one life
to lose for
my country”
Surprises for the
British
 Continental
Army retreats
over Delaware
River
 Many
Americans
desert and go
home
 Morale is low
 Thomas Paine
write “crisis”
 Washington
Reads this to
inspire troops
and gain
support
Crossing the
Delaware
 Christmas
night,1776,
Washington led
2,400 men
across river in
small boats
Soldiers
unprepared for
conditions,
cold, not
dressed
Washington
attacks Trenton
on 2 sides
achieving a
complete
surprise
The American
Victory--Trenton
=Americans have
a victory in
Trenton
=Captured 1,000
mercenaries
(Hessians)
=Washington
escapes by
building fires at
night and
retreating under
cover of darkness.
6-2 A Critical Time
A you read and discuss with your group, write down important facts about your topic. After becoming
an expert, you will share your findings with a group of classmates and learn about their topics as well.
Saratoga
American Victory Results of Battle
French Alliance
European
The British Plan
(Saratoga)
Volunteers
=American s
=Americans WIN =France Eager to struggle inspires

Burgoyne’s plan  Major
weaken Britain
Europeans to fight
called for British forces
Turning point over British in
Saratoga
with America to
to drive toward Albany
for
=Battle of
win Liberty
NY in 3 directions
Americans
Saratoga

Burgoyne’s plan  Lifted Patriot =Raised Patriot
Spirits
convinces the
=Marquis de
ran into trouble
spirit
French to
Lafayette (French
immediately—
 Burgoyne
support the
officer) helps
misguided attempt to
surrenders to =Helped
convince
Europe
Americans
Washington
attack.
General
that America can
Horatio
France signs
=Thaddeus
Gates on Oct. win
MAJOR
Turning
treat
with
Koscivisko(polish)
17,1777
point in war
America in 1778 engineered and
built forts
French had
Casimir Pulaski
already been
trained cavalrysecretly funding
mounted
and supplying
horseback soldiers
war effort in
America
Baron Von Steuben
= German Baron helped train the
Continental Army
=Before he came, American
Troops are poorly trained and
undisciplined.
=Improves army’s aim, attack
with bayonets, and marching.
Valley Forge
=Washington’s army suffered
through winter here
=They lacked socks, shoespeople came to help and give
them supplies
=Washington used this time to
strengthen and train
6-2 A Critical Time
A you read and discuss with your group, write down important facts about your topic. After becoming
an expert, you will share your findings with a group of classmates and learn about their topics as well.