Page One
Name: __________________________________
Social Studies Seven/PD: _____
Chapter Seven/Part One – The “Unofficial War”
I. The “Unofficial War”
A. Rebellion Without War (April 1775-July 1776):
After the fighting at Lexington and Concord in April of 1775, Colonists realized that a war with Great Britain was likely. There was,
however, no official declaration of war or declaration of independence. For that matter, there was no Colonial Government – the Second Continental
Congress was not scheduled to meet until May of 1775. In America, Colonists waited for the decision of the delegates to the Second Continental
Congress that would meet in Philadelphia. Fear and high emotions swept the Colonies – ranging from those who wanted independence and war to
others who wished for peace with Britain at any cost.
When news of the Battles of Lexington and Concord arrived in June of 1775, British officials in America and Great Britain considered
Massachusetts to be in a state of rebellion. Obviously, the rebellion would have to be contained before it could spread to the other twelve colonies.
The British Governors in the 13 Colonies did not have the authority to act outside the borders of their own colonies and they (as well as British Army
and Navy commanders) waited for word to arrive from Great Britain before taking action. Loyalist citizens in America nervously waited for help to
arrive from Great Britain.
B. The Fall of Fort Ticonderoga:
During this time (spring and summer of 1775), a group of militiamen led by a New Hampshire woodsman named Ethan Allen and a wealthy
Connecticut merchant – Benedict Arnold, decided to attack Ft. Ticonderoga at the southern end of Lake Champlain in New York. Allen and Arnold
wished to capture the large supply of cannon, gunpowder, and muskets at the fort. The Patriot leaders also believed that capturing the fort would give
them control over Lake Champlain – an invasion route both into and out of the Colonies.
The fort and its supplies were captured in a surprise night attack and without loss of life. News of Lexington and Concord had not arrived at
the fort and the gates were wide open on the night of the attack – with one guard asleep at his post! Enemy Natives had not been in the area for years
and the entire garrison was captured while asleep. The fort’s commander was humiliated when he was forced to surrender in his nightclothes
(pajamas) to Ethan Allen.
EFFECTS:
The Americans captured a large supply of cannon, muskets, and gunpowder and now could use Lake Champlain in an attempt to invade
Canada. The 13 Colonies would also be able to block any attempt by British soldiers to invade the Colonies from Canada. Capturing the fort was one
further step towards a final break with Britain and the beginning of a true war.
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C. Peace or War?
When the news arrived, the delegates to the Second Continental Congress were shocked by the capture of Fort Ticonderoga (some wanted the
weapons returned to the British while others saw it as a great victory). Everyone knew that a decision had to be made before the fighting continued
between the 13 Colonies and Great Britain. After lengthy debate, the divided Congress agreed on two actions:
EFFECTS:
1. Olive Branch Petition: Members that wanted to repair relations with Britain forced the Second Continental Congress to send King George III a letter
in which the 13 Colonies declared their loyalty to the King and asked the King to repeal the Intolerable Acts as a gesture of peace. In return, the Colonies
would lay down their weapons and remain a part of the British Empire.
2. Continental Army: The more realistic members knew that a peaceful restoration of relations with Britain was very unlikely. They convinced
Congress to create an army (the Continental Army) in the event that King George III rejected the Olive Branch Petition. John Adams succeeded in
having George Washington appointed commander of the army – a calculated move to win the support of the Southern Colonies.
In effect, The Second Continental Congress asked for peace while it prepared for war!
D. The Battle of Bunker Hill:
Before an answer on the Olive Branch Petition arrived from Britain and George Washington could take command of the
Continental Army outside Boston, militia commanders in Massachusetts decided to take matters into their own hands. In June of 1775, the
Massachusetts militia decided to provoke (start) a fight with the British forces in Boston.
Militia Colonel William Prescott moved 1,200 militiamen onto a hill (Breeds Hill) overlooking the harbor, knowing that the British
commander in Boston (General Howe) would have to attack him before he and his men could move cannon onto the hill and begin firing on the city
and its harbor. When the British attacked the next day, Howe rejected a plan to move behind and surround the Americans on the hill. He wanted to
attack by going straight up the hill – sending the message that Britain would crush the rebellion with superior military force. The attack, however,
took most of the day and resulted in over 1,000 British dead and wounded before the Americans ran out of gunpowder and retreated.
EFFECTS:
The Battle of Bunker Hill let the British know that Americans could fight very hard and would not be easy to defeat. The Americans
learned that the British would also fight very hard and were not going to let the Colonies become independent after one tough battle. Both sides realized
that the coming war would be long and difficult.
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E. Retreat and Blockade:
When Washington arrived to take command of the Continental Army in the summer of 1775, he found it to be in terrible shape – lacking
supplies, weapons, gunpowder, training, and leadership. He realized that he could do little with the army but begin to train it and try to turn it into a
true fighting army. The new commander was so shocked by what he saw that he was left speechless and wondered whether he had made the greatest
mistake in his life by agreeing to take command.
Washington dared not to attack the British, so he simply surrounded Boston and waited for cannon to arrive. During the winter of 1776,
Washington ordered General Henry Knox, his chief of Artillery, to move the cannon from Ft. Ticonderoga to the Continental Army positions outside
Boston. Knox knew that he could not move the large cannon (some weighed several tons) down the small country roads of New York and
Massachusetts and decided to wait for a thick layer of snow to form. He then had the cannon loaded on large sleds and pulled them to Boston by
horse and ox teams.
Washington placed the cannon on the hills around Boston Harbor even though he had very little powder or cannon balls to fire from them.
When the British commander in Boston saw the cannon, he believed that it was hopeless to try to defend Boston and abandoned the city – moving all
of his soldiers and Loyalist Americans to Canada by ship. Although it was a great victory for the Americans, the British blockade (ring of ships
outside Boston Harbor) remained unbroken and Washington knew that the British would be back – most likely targeting New York City.
EFFECTS:
The capture of Boston by American forces was another step towards war with Great Britain. Public opinion on independence began to
shift, with many Americans beginning to feel that a war with Britain could not be avoided and that the Colonies needed to prepare for the eventual
British attack.
The Americans won a city, but were cut off from supplies and trade with foreign nations. Washington faced the very difficult job of turning an army of
volunteer farmer/soldiers into a fighting force that could face down the greatest military power on the planet. The lack of money, supplies, and military
experience that existed in the Colonies guaranteed that this would be nearly impossible in the near future. Washington also had to face the unpleasant
fact that Britain could use its navy to strike anywhere and at any time. In fact, Britain did use its navy to blockade the entire Atlantic coastline.
F. Disaster in Canada:
In late 1775, two small American Armies were sent to invade Canada and capture Quebec. The Americans hoped that the Canadians would
rebel and join them in attacking the British. Colonial leaders also hoped that that the capture of Quebec would stop British plans to invade the
colonies from Canada. The attack, however, ran into bad weather and the armies began to suffer from hunger, cold, and disease. When the two
groups joined and attacked Quebec on the last day of 1775, they were defeated and had to wait outside the city until May of 1776 before what was
left of the force retreated to the Colonies.
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EFFECT:
Britain remained in control of Canada and could launch invasions into the Colonies at any time. The Americans also realized that the
citizens of Canada would not turn against the British and join the Colonies in a war for independence. Instead, the Colonies would be forced to fight
alone until an ally could be found. As 1776 began, the delegates at the Second Continental Congress realized that the situation was spinning out of
control. Many in Congress began to seriously consider declaring independence from Great Britain.
Ethan Allen
Leader of the Green Mountain Boys
Benedict Arnold
Colonial merchant turned soldier
Henry Knox
Bookseller turned soldier
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British General William Howe – Commander of British forces in Boston who ordered the attack on Bunker Hill
The death of Dr. Warren at the Battle of Bunker Hill
(inaccurate – Dr. Warren was actually shot while retreating)
Traditional view of the British assault on Bunker Hill
(also believed to be inaccurate for several reasons)
Review Questions
1.
What did the capture of Fort Ticonderoga give the 13 Colonies? (two things):
2.
After the capture of Ticonderoga, the Second Continental Congress decided to: (two ideas)
3.
The Battle of Bunker Hill taught both sides (Britain and the Colonies) that:
4.
What did the capture of Boston do to public opinion in the Colonies?
5.
How did Britain use its navy after the loss of Boston?
6.
What did Britain’s control allow it to do at any time?
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Name: _________________________________
Social Studies Seven/PD: _____
Chapter Seven/Part Two: Independence Declared
II. Independence Declared
A. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense Persuades Americans:
In early 1776, an English immigrant (sent to America by Benjamin Franklin) wrote a short pamphlet with the title of Common Sense. The
title suggested that it would not be difficult to read and over 500,000 copies were sold in a land of only 3,000,000 people - one pamphlet for every six
citizens. Paine took the feelings held by many in America and put them into simple arguments and statements that made sense to all – not just the
well educated. Paine argued that:
-
America no longer needed to be ruled by a King - Americans had “grown up” and were capable of ruling themselves
-
Britain was too far away (3,000 miles) to govern America effectively – it simply took too long for news and important information to travel
back and forth between England and America
-
America did not need Great Britain to be able to trade and make money – the world would buy our food and other products whether we were
“British” or “American”
EFFECTS:
Paine put the feelings of many Americans into words and created an argument that convinced thousands of Colonists to join the “Patriot”
cause against Great Britain. The pamphlet had the greatest effect on the undecided – those who could not decide whether to remain loyal to Britain or
fight against Britain for independence.
The pamphlet also made an enormous change in the way people felt about kings and queens. For the first time, people began to openly question
the need for a king. Many Americans decided that a king or queen was not needed – the people could run their own affairs without one. After all, the 13
Colonies had governed themselves until the end of the French and Indian War and they could govern themselves once more.
B. Independence Declared:
When news reached the 13 Colonies that King George had rejected the Olive Branch Petition and planned to send a huge army to
“crush the rebellion,” the Continental Congress realized that it had to take action. In June of 1776, Virginian Richard Henry Lee asked the Congress
to consider declaring independence from Great Britain – a move that was approved that day.
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A committee of five men was appointed to write a “Declaration of Independence” and it included a young Virginian named Thomas
Jefferson, John Adams of Massachusetts, and Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania. Once again, John Adams (who had recommended Washington to
command the Continental Army) felt that the main job of writing the declaration should be given to a southerner to win southern support. Jefferson’s
declaration was approved after changes on July 2, 1776 and formally signed and recognized on July 4, 1776.
EFFECT:
The Declaration of Independence announced the creation of the United States of America and its approval by Congress marked the
official beginning of our nations’ history. The Declaration is also one of the most important documents in world history – starting revolutions against
kings and queens around the globe. People around the world began to believe that they had a right to rule themselves. The age of kings and queens
began to slowly decline from this point forward.
C. Uncertain Times and Disaster at the Battle of Long Island:
The Declaration of Independence changed many things in America. The British Government, complete with its governors, judges
courts, clerks, tax collectors, soldiers, and ships was gone. The new government, led by the Second Continental Congress, had to find a way to run a
nation. There was no King or President and Congress only had the power to run the military and conduct relations with foreign nations.
Congress could not raise taxes or take soldiers from the states – it could only ask for money, men, and supplies. The government quickly set
about trying to prepare for the coming war, but it was a job made difficult by lack of money and lack of cooperation from the states. Congress took
the drastic step of designing and printing its own money known as “Continental Dollars” – money that was not backed by gold or silver and had little
real value. Ambassadors were sent to foreign nations (especially France) to ask for both loans and military help.
In July of 1776, Congress ordered Washington to take his 20,000 men to defend New York City against a British invasion force of 34,000
soldiers, 10,000 sailors, 30 major warships, and 400 transport ships. Washington knew that the city would be difficult to defend without ships of his
own, but did his best to prepare for the attack. In August of 1776, the British smashed the Continental Army at the Battle of Long Island – killing,
capturing, and wounding 1,400 American soldiers. The American Army only escaped complete destruction by leaving Long Island in rowboats
during a night thunderstorm and a thick fog.
EFFECT:
Washington was forced to concentrate on keeping his army alive but was not strong enough to attack the British. His only goal was to
keep the army together until it was strong enough to attack. The fighting now shifted from New England to the Middle Colonies as Washington’s Army
was chased down and relentlessly attacked by the British. Throughout the fall and into the winter, the British gave the Continental Army little time to
rest, train, or find new supplies. Many believed that the Revolution had already failed.
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D. Dark Times for the United States:
There was little doubt that the United States was not well prepared to fight a war against the greatest power on the face of the earth.
Washington’s defeat at Long Island and his loss of New York City seemed by many to be proof that the Revolution would not last long and that the
United States would be brought back under British control in short order. Around the world, other nations watched the struggle with interest, but
could not see how a nation of three million farmers could defeat the mighty British Empire.
In nearly every way, the United States was at a great disadvantage in its struggle with Britain. The new nation had only a tiny fraction of
Britain’s wealth, population, industry, or military strength. There were very few men with formal military training or experience in the United States.
Even George Washington had never been a part of the regular British Army. The United States had no navy to speak of – only a small number of
converted merchant ships that could hardly challenge the overwhelming power of the Royal Navy or break its blockade of the coastline.
The lack of industry and money meant that the United States could not afford to pay, supply, and train a large army. Instead, the new nation
had to hope that each state would do its best to raise as many soldiers as possible. Congress, as the national Government, could do little to actually
force any state to do anything. Congress could only ask for men, supplies, and money from the states. In effect, each state was like an independent
nation and they seldom acted together in a coordinated way.
Despite all of the disadvantages, the United States did have some hope. The war was to be fought in America – and few knew the land as
well as the Americans did. Americans would literally be fighting to protect their homes and families. They were also willing to fight an “irregular”
war. Unlike their enemy, many Americans would be willing to use Native tactics and wished to avoid fighting the British in the traditional “open
field” style that the British had mastered.
The United States also could hope that Britain’s enemies (especially France) would be willing to help. At the very least, there were nations
that would be willing to sell the United States weapons and send trained officers to advise and train the American Army. In time, these nations might
also be willing to loan money or even join the United States in an alliance against Britain.
The British enjoyed an overwhelming advantage over the United States in nearly every area. Britain’s Army and Navy were among the
largest, best trained, most experienced, and well-equipped forces on the planet. The British had nearly ten times the population of the U.S. and
Britain had many factories to make items for a war. In addition, Britain had 1000 times the wealth of the United States. Great Britain was confident
that it could blockade the Colonies (after all, Britain refused to recognize that the United States was an independent nation) with its Navy while its
Army took the “Colonials” apart piece by piece.
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Regardless of its strength and might, Britain did have weaknesses. Great Britain was an empire and it did have many colonies to defend all
around the world. Simply put, Britain could not afford to use all of its strength to attack the United States. Army units and Navy fleets had to be
scattered around the globe to defend the empire. Britain’s enemies would be ready to attack any weak spots and the British could not afford to let
their guard down.
Another problem that faced Britain was the expense of fighting a war 3,000 miles from Europe. Everything that Britain planned to use in
America had to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Britain had the ships to carry the goods, but the cost was enormous and Great Britain still had not fully
recovered from the huge debt created by the French and Indian War. The British knew that it would be in their best interest to finish the war as
quickly as possible.
Britain’s greatest fear was that the rebellion in America would become a larger war like the French and Indian War. France was still a
powerful nation in Europe and an alliance between France and United States could prove to be a financial and military nightmare for Britain. A war
with France would mean that the alliance system of Europe would come into play and multiple nations would once again fight each other all over the
globe. Great Britain, powerful as it was, could little afford to fight another world war.
EFFECTS: Like the French during the French and Indian War, Britain needed to put an end to the war in America as quickly as possible. The longer
the war dragged on, the greater the damage would be to the British Empire. The United States, on the other hand, needed to keep the war going long
enough to win help from foreign nations. In reality, America’s only real chance of winning the war and remaining independent was to become an ally of
a powerful European nation that could afford to send the United States weapons, money, soldiers, and a navy.
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“His Excellency” George Washington
as Commander-In-Chief of the
United States Army
William Howe – first British
Commander-In-Chief in the
Revolutionary War
Admiral Richard Howe
Commander of British Naval
forces in North America
Thomas Paine
Author of “Common Sense”
Thomas Jefferson
Writer of the Declaration of
Independence
Benjamin Franklin
America’s ambassador to France
during the Revolutionary War
Review Questions
1.
After Thomas Paine published Common Sense, many Americans decided that:
2.
Why did John Adams want Thomas Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence?
3.
What made the Declaration of Independence one of the most important documents’ in World History?
4.
What did Washington have to concentrate on after the terrible defeat at the Battle of Long Island?
5.
During the Revolutionary War, Congress could only:
6.
What was Britain’s greatest fear about the “rebellion in America?”
7.
America’s only real chance of winning the war and remaining independent was:
Page Eleven
Name: _____________________________
Social Studies Seven/PD: _____
Chapter Seven/Part Three – A Victory and an Ally
III. Victory and an Ally
A. Dark Times – August 1776 to December 1776:
After several sharp battles, Washington was forced to abandon New York City and spent the fall of 1776 running from superior British forces.
His untrained and ill-equipped army was defeated nearly every time it tried to fight the British. By December of 1776, the Army had fled from New
York to New Jersey and into Pennsylvania. The fighting strength of the Continental Army was down to 3,000 men from 20,000 at the start of
August.
Men were deserting (running away from) the Army daily, no new soldiers were joining, and Washington was receiving very little help from
American citizens. It looked as if the war was lost and the British settled into their winter quarters certain that Washington would surrender as his
tiny force starved to death in the countryside.
EFFECT: Support for the U.S. Army and the Revolution began to fail. General Washington was forced to beg Congress for fresh supplies, men, and
equipment. Washington also knew that he somehow had to produce a victory to give his soldiers and the people of the United States hope. Only a victory
could encourage soldiers to join the Army and convince citizens to help with supplies.
B. Thomas Paine and George Washington Change the Course of the War:
Thomas Paine, who was with Washington’s crumbling army, decided to write another pamphlet. He hoped to improve the spirit of
the men and increase support from American citizens for the Army. In December of 1776, he published The Crisis, a short pamphlet praising the
soldiers for their courage and criticizing those who had abandoned the army. He also criticized Americans for failing to support their military and
encouraged them to send food and supplies to Washington.
The Crisis began to encourage the soldiers even as Washington developed a desperate plan to win a battle and capture supplies for his men.
In a plan that some described as “completely mad,” Washington decided to row his army across the partially frozen Delaware River on Christmas
Night to attack a regiment of 1,400 very well supplied and equipped Hessians (hired German soldiers) in Trenton, New Jersey. Catching them by
surprise after their Christmas celebrations, the U.S. Army captured the entire Hessian regiment and all of its equipment without a single American
death. The Battle of Trenton was the desperately needed victory that Washington had hoped for.
Page Twelve
Only one week later, Washington tricked another British Army that was preparing to attack him by leaving his campfires burning all night
while he marched the U.S. Army around the British and attacked from the rear. At the Battle of Princeton, the U.S. Army drove the British from the
town of Princeton, New Jersey and forced them to stay in New York City for the remainder of the winter.
EFFECTS:
Washington’s two victories and Paine’s The Crisis gave both the U.S. Army and the American people hope. Men began to return to the
Army and the people began to send supplies to keep it fed and clothed during the winter months. Both sides knew that the war would continue and hard
fighting lay ahead. The United States, however, now had reason to believe that not all was lost.
C. A New British Commander and a New Plan to End the War:
Surprised by the news of the defeats at Trenton and Princeton, King George III appointed a new general to command a British attack in
America – General John Burgoyne. Burgoyne planned to crush the Americans by attacking them from three directions at the same time. The first
army, under General Howe, was to march from New York City to Albany and meet with a second British Army.
The second army, under General Burgoyne, would invade from Canada and march towards Albany to meet with General Howe out of New
York City, splitting New England from the Middle States. A third Army under General St. Leger would attack towards Albany from the west and
meet the other two armies. Burgoyne’s goal was to split the U.S., crush any American Armies that resisted, and capture New York, Boston, and
Philadelphia (the American Capital). The plan, he thought, would put a speedy end to the war.
Page Thirteen
Effects: The British plan to crush the United States in 1777 reflected concerns in Great Britain. Fighting a war 3,000 miles from Great Britain was very
costly. Adding to Britain’s worries was the knowledge that it had to defend its colonies around the world from other nations. As the war in America
continued, Britain began to find that its military forces were getting stretched thin. Britain wanted and needed to have this “Colonial Rebellion” come to
a speedy close.
D. General Burgoyne’s Plan Falls Apart:
Before any of the British Armies moved, General Howe decided to capture Philadelphia before marching to meet Burgoyne at Albany,
New York. Howe did capture Philadelphia after defeating Washington at the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown, but then failed to march
back north to help Burgoyne. Washington remained outside Philadelphia to tie Howe down for as long as possible – hoping that he could force
Howe to abandon the city.
Unknown to Burgoyne, who was marching through the wilderness of northern New York, Howe was out of the picture. Also unknown to
Burgoyne was the fact that the third army under General St. Leger had been defeated east of Albany at the Battle of Oriskany. Burgoyne decided to
continue towards Albany even after news from Howe and St. Leger finally did reach him.
Burgoyne’s army was slowed by militia forces that cut down huge trees in his path and by a lack of food. When he split part of his army off
to gather food in what is now Vermont, American forces attacked it. The British lost 1,000 men at the Battle of Bennington. Burgoyne was now
surrounded and trapped in a small town north of Albany – Saratoga. After weeks of hard fighting, Burgoyne was force to surrender his entire army
of 7,000 men to American Generals Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold. The victory at the Battle of Saratoga changed the course of the war.
EFFECT:
The defeat at Saratoga shook the British Empire. Although Britain would not give up, the price of the war began to hurt both Britain’s
Treasury and the confidence of its Government. More importantly, France became an ally of the United States. Convinced that the Americans
could fight, France began to send millions of dollars in supplies and also sent French Army officers to help the American Army. Long months of patient
work by Benjamin Franklin as a U.S. diplomat in France had paid off richly.
E. Valley Forge and the New United States Army:
Washington remained outside Philadelphia after the Battle of Saratoga. He hoped that there would be a chance to attack British
forces under General Howe that were occupying the city, but no chance presented itself. Realizing that French help (in the form of an army) would
not arrive that year and that winter was approaching, Washington selected a place to station his army during the winter – Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
The location was a good one from a military standpoint. It allowed him to watch the British in Philadelphia, attack them if they tried to move to New
York by land, and offered protection from British attacks.
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The winter, however, turned into a nightmare. The weather turned unusually cold, heavy snows fell, food and supplies ran short, and the men
did not have winter clothing. Congress and Washington were not able to convince the states to send enough supplies until the later part of the winter.
During that time, the men suffered from hunger, cold, and the outbreak of diseases. It was not uncommon to see guards standing in the snow with
nothing more than rags wrapped around their feet. By late winter, enough supplies began to arrive to save the U.S. Army from starvation.
Valley Forge, in another sense, was also a time of growth. A number of foreign military officers arrived from Poland, France, and Prussia
(later a part of Germany) to help train the Americans. The Marquis de Lafayette, a young French nobleman, brought trained soldiers to help
Washington’s Army and became a close friend and advisor to Washington.
Spain, an old enemy of Great Britain, decided to help the United States as well. The Spanish Governors in Florida and New Orleans sent
large herds of cattle to the United States. The cattle were used to supply the American armies with much needed meat. Spain’s help, although small,
was one more sign that troubled the British and tied down British forces that could have been sent to attack Washington.
Two Polish officers arrived to train the American cavalry forces and to help with engineering projects such as building forts. One officer,
above all others, proved to be very valuable - Prussian Baron von Steuben. He taught the soldiers how to march, use their weapons quickly and
properly, and how to fight with the bayonet. Most importantly, Steuben taught the Army the discipline and determination to fight the British on open
battlefields. The United States Army finally became the professional army that Washington wanted it to be.
Page Fifteen
EFFECTS:
The army that marched out of Valley Forge in the spring of 1778 was nearly the equal of the British – experienced, disciplined, and
strong. The soldiers who remained with the army were dedicated veterans who could be counted on to stay with the army without deserting during hard
times. The Army was only lacking in numbers (size). Washington also knew that the United States desperately needed the help of a strong navy and the
arrival of French soldiers to put an end to the war.
General John Burgoyne
Commander of British Forces
During the Saratoga Campaign in 1777
General Horatio Gates
Commander of the American Army
at Saratoga
The Marquis de Lafayette
French officer and aide to Washington
Baron von Steuben
Prussian military advisor
to the U.S. Army at Valley Forge
Washington crosses the Delaware (the famous/fictional painting)
Review Questions
1.
How did The Crisis and the Battles of Trenton and Princeton change the war?
2.
How did the plan to crush the U.S. in 1777 reflect British concerns?
3.
What was the most important result (effect) of the Battle of Saratoga?
4.
Although the winter at Valley Forge was terrible, it was also a time of growth in that:
5.
The U.S. Army that marched out of Valley Forge was:
Page Sixteen
Name: _________________________________
Social Studies Seven/PD: _____
Part Four – The Revolution’s Middle Years (1778-1779)
IV. The Revolution’s Middle Years (1778-1779)
A. Britain Offers Peace and the Battle of Monmouth:
Britain, again faced with financial difficulties and the need to protect colonies worldwide, was deeply troubled by the French
and American alliance. British diplomats tried to negotiate a peace treaty to end the war by offering to cancel the Tea Act and Intolerable Acts. The
British even offered to put an end to taxing the “Colonies” altogether. Most Americans, however, rejected these offers and wished only for British
recognition of American independence. Britain had to reluctantly continue the costly war.
In the summer of 1778, General Howe and the British Army moved out of Philadelphia and turned north to New York City. This was the
opportunity that Washington had been looking for and he attacked the British at Monmouth, New Jersey, hoping to capture British supplies and to
test the strength of his newly trained army. In the blazing heat of a 100-degree day, the British and Americans fought a desperate battle.
The battle went well for the Americans at first, but American General Charles Lee issued several confusing orders to his men and the battle
turned in favor of the British. Only the arrival of Washington himself on the battlefield prevented a disaster. The Americans turned the tide and won
the battle, but Howe escaped to New York. The soldiers of the United States Army fought with a determination and sense of professional conduct
that was noticed by everyone on the battlefield – particularly the British.
The training that the army had gone through in the harsh winter months at Valley Forge had paid off. For the first time, the United States
Army had challenged the British on an open battlefield (Britain’s strength) in a major battle and forced the British to retreat. The victory gave
Americans a great sense of confidence. For Britain, it was another sign that the end of the war was nowhere in sight. Even worse, Britain now
understood that the enemy they once looked on as almost laughable was a true force to be dealt with.
EFFECTS:
Washington could do little to change the outcome of the war after Howe’s Army retreated behind the strong defenses of New York City.
Instead, he had to wait for Howe to make a move and prayed for the arrival of French soldiers and the French Navy to make a break through the British
blockade. France was to play the deciding role in the Revolution.
Despite the newfound strength of the U.S. Army, Washington simply did not have enough men to win the war on his own. Only French help
could end the war in America’s favor. Although it was against his nature, Washington surrounded New York City and waited for the British to make
the next move.
Page Seventeen
B. American Forces 1778-1779:
The nature of the war changed during the fighting seasons of 1778-1779. Neither side could gain a serious advantage over the other.
Washington and the American forces did not have enough men or help from France to break the British blockade or force the British to abandon New
York City. Instead, Washington decided to hold his army together and to keep the British pinned down to the cities and coastline. The British
continued to use its unchallenged navy to raid American towns and cities, but could not attack in force with a large army anywhere.
Parts of the Continental Army and militia forces were sent to the frontier areas in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio to support the westward
movement of American settlers and to claim as much land as possible before the war came to an end. Washington knew that the United States would
be able to keep all lands that it conquered during the war if he was able to defeat the British.
Washington also wanted to destroy strong Native tribes (such as the Iroquois in New York) and to clear Iroquois lands for future settlement.
He knew that some of the Iroquois remained allies with the British and supplied British soldiers with food. General John Sullivan was sent into
present day Central New York and he succeeded in destroying the Iroquois Nation during the summer and fall of 1779. Sullivan found a very
effective strategy – burn the Iroquois food supply. During the winter of 1779-1780, many Iroquois starved to death.
Some historians believe that Washington’s invasions into Native territories earned him the nickname “Village Burner” with Natives (many of
whom had wanted to stay neutral during the war). The Iroquois were not alone in their support of the British. Britain convinced many Natives that
an American victory would mean more white settlers moving west and taking their lands.
In the South, the British won the support of several powerful Native tribes and encouraged them to attack settlements on the frontier. The
Cherokee Nation attacked many settlements, forcing the Southern States to keep militia forces at home instead of sending them to help General
Washington. Spain helped the United States by attacking and capturing British forts on the Gulf of Mexico and drove Britain from Florida.
In Ohio, the United States was lucky to have a very capable leader and frontiersman – George Rogers Clark. With the aid of the Miami
Nation, Clark used surprise attacks and tricks to force three British forts to surrender. Clark’s victories gave the United States control over the Ohio
Valley Region that Americans had so desperately wanted to settle before the war and drove the British from the Valley.
On the seas, only one American Navy officer was able to have any notable success against the British. John Paul Jones terrorized British
merchant ships and won a lone American victory against a British warship – refusing to surrender even though his smaller ship was on fire and
sinking. When called on to surrender, Jones is said to have replied, “I have not yet begun to fight!” Jones won the fight and took the British ship as
his own.
Page Eighteen
Other American captains were hired by Congress as “privateers” or commanders of privately owned warships. The privateers proved to be
quite a headache for the British. Individual American ships attacked and captured British merchant ships whenever and wherever possible. Large
amounts of supplies were often captured – hurting the British war effort and economy and forcing Britain’s Navy to spend much of its time chasing
privateers or escorting merchant ships. The lack of true warships, however, meant that the U.S. still could not break the British blockade of its
coastline.
EFFECTS:
America’s war against the British on the frontier and on the seas did not produce major victories that suddenly changed the course of the
war. Instead, attacks in the west and at sea kept Britain from being able to concentrate its full strength on Washington and the other American forces in
the East. The attacks also made the British blockade difficult to enforce and forced the British to spend even more money. Finally, victories in the West
meant that the United States would have strong land claims and could expand westwards after the war.
C. British Forces in 1778-1779:
After the loss of an entire army at Saratoga, the British were both shocked and limited in their ability to fight in America. The American
alliance with France sparked another war in Europe and Britain began to fight many nations around the world again – just as in the French and Indian
War. The cost of the war began to drain the British Treasury at an alarming rate and Britain had no more forces to send to America. The Prime
Minister and Parliament agreed that time was running out. Britain needed to find a way to win or it would be forced to abandon the war in America
in order to concentrate on events in Europe and India.
EFFECTS:
Britain concentrated on holding New York City and other coastal cities. The British Navy was used to launch raids and surprise attacks
while British commanders tried without much success to pin Washington down and destroy the Continental Army. British attempts to make Native
alliances and to use Loyalists in the Middle Colonies also failed and Britain suffered several defeats in the frontier regions. By the end of 1779, Britain
began to shift its focus on the war – targeting the Southern Colonies for 1780. Perhaps, thought the British, the Loyalists of the South could give Britain
a boost in strength.
Page Nineteen
John Paul Jones
“Father of the United States Navy”
General John Sullivan
Leader of the “Sullivan Campaign” against
The Iroquois in 1779
George Rogers Clark (in later life)
U.S. General on the Western Frontier
Page Twenty
Orders of George Washington to General John Sullivan, at Head-Quarters May 31, 1779
“The Expedition you are appointed to command is to be directed against the hostile tribes of the Six Nations of Indians, with their associates
and adherents. The immediate objects are the total destruction and devastation of their settlements, and the capture of as many prisoners of every age
and sex as possible. It will be essential to ruin their crops now in the ground and prevent their planting more.”
“I would recommend, that some post in the center of the Indian Country, should be occupied with all expedition, with a sufficient quantity of
provisions whence parties should be detached to lay waste all the settlements around, with instructions to do it in the most effectual manner, that the
country may not be merely overrun, but destroyed.”
“But you will not by any means listen to any overture of peace before the total ruinment of their settlements is effected. Our future security
will be in their inability to injure us and in the terror with which the severity of the chastisement they receive will inspire them.”
Rough map of the “Sullivan Campaign” into Iroquois Territory
Review Questions
1.
What did the American victory at Monmouth give the United States and what “sign” did the British see in this battle?
2.
Why did Washington wish to destroy strong tribes such as the Iroquois?
3.
America’s battles on the frontiers and at sea did not produce war changing victories, but they did:
4.
Why did Great Britain need to find a way to win the war after the events of 1777-1778?
5.
What made the British shift the focus of the war to the South in 1779 and 1780?
Page Twenty-One
Name: _____________________________
Social Studies Seven/PD: _____
Chapter Seven/Part Five – The War Ends in the South
V. The War Ends in the South
A. Britain Goes on the Offensive – Setbacks for the United States:
Britain abandoned Philadelphia by the end of 1778 and prepared a new strategy that was designed to gain the support of Loyalist Americans
in the Southern States. In late 1778 and early 1779, Britain decided to use its navy to transport an army under one of Britain’s best generals, Lord
Cornwallis, to attack the Southern cities of Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina. The movement of this army was designed to:
-
Force Washington and the American Army to move south to meet the new threat or place Washington between British forces in New York
City (held by General Clinton) and Cornwallis in the south
Give Britain time to recruit southern Americans still loyal to the King (Loyalists) into the British Army to replace the losses suffered during
1777 and 1778
Place Washington on the defensive and relieve pressure on New York City
EFFECTS:
Washington was unable to meet this new threat and the United States suffered a series of setbacks throughout 1779 and into 1780.
Within a short time, both Savannah and Charleston fell to the British. The surrender of Charleston also resulted in the surrender of an entire American
Army of nearly 5,000 men. The surrender of the army defending Charleston was America’s worst defeat in the Revolution.
Cornwallis crushed another army under General Gates, who had once commanded American forces at Saratoga. The British used both their
navy and cavalry forces to outmaneuver and outfight the Americans. With the loss of Charleston and the defeat of Gates, the Southern states were under
British control and Cornwallis would be able to move north to attack Washington. It seemed as if Cornwallis was unstoppable and America was once
again in great danger.
B. Betrayal Results in the Near Capture of General Washington:
Washington arrived for a meeting at West Point, New York only to discover that Benedict Arnold had betrayed the United States. Arnold had
planned to weaken American defenses at West Point, which blocked British ships from traveling up the Hudson River. The British attack was also set
to happen at the same time that Washington and several other generals were visiting West Point. Only luck saved Washington. A British spy
carrying a message from Arnold to the British was captured and Arnold fled before he could be arrested. He became a general in the British Army
and returned to fight against the U.S. in the South.
Page Twenty-Two
Effects: Benedict Arnold’s betrayal did no serious harm to the United States. In fact, his actions caused Washington and the American Army to become
much more careful and to take steps to prevent similar attempts to betray the United States. Arnold, however, became America’s first great villain.
When one of his former soldiers was asked what should be done with Arnold when he was captured, he said that Arnold should be hanged. He also
added that the leg that had been shot twice when Arnold had bravely led American soldiers into battle should be cut off and given a funeral with full
military honors.
C. The War Turns Against Great Britain Again:
Although Britain gained the upper hand in the South in the beginning, several factors began to undermine Britain’s ability to make any further
progress. French forces finally began to arrive and join Washington’s Army. In addition, Washington sent his best general to command American
forces in the South – General Nathaniel Greene. Greene worked with several American militia leaders in the south, especially Daniel Morgan of
Virginia, Francis Marion (“The Swamp Fox”), and Henry “Lighthorse” Lee.
Together, the American generals used hit and run tactics, ambushes, surprise attacks, and raids to wear down the British. Americans fought
much like the Natives that they had fought on the frontier before and during the war. This type of fighting came to be known as “Guerilla Warfare.”
The goal was to keep the British in the South long enough to allow another French Army to arrive with French naval forces. With additional forces,
Washington and Greene could attack the British from the north and south at the same time.
The type of warfare used by Americans in the South was not designed to defeat the British and force Cornwallis to surrender. Instead, the
fighting slowly wore down British forces over a period of months. Britain lost soldiers that it could not replace and British soldiers and officers alike
became frustrated over their lack of solid success against the Americans. The only soldiers under Cornwallis that experienced any success were the
cavalry forces of General Tarleton and the light infantry soldiers under the command of General Patrick Ferguson. Both of these British Generals
were good leaders, had highly motivated men, and were willing to fight like the Americans.
British plans to gain the help of thousands of Loyalists also failed. Some Loyalists did join the British, but many discovered that remaining
loyal to Britain was a very dangerous thing to do in America. The war in the South took on a new and very ugly style – civil war. Patriots and
Loyalists attacked each other in towns and settlements all over the South. In many cases, the fighting was no more than murder – catching individual
men as they traveled or worked and killing them. In other cases, small groups fought each other, burned homes, and destroyed farms and businesses.
Many Loyalists decided that the best course of action was to stay out of the war and remain quiet.
EFFECTS:
Despite the setbacks, Cornwallis still fought aggressively. He turned General Tarleton loose on a series of raids and ordered Generals
Tarleton, Ferguson, and Arnold (Benedict Arnold) to chase and destroy any American militia or Army forces in the South. With opposition eliminated,
Cornwallis still hoped to move North in an attempt to crush Washington and the American Army between his forces and those of General Clinton in New
York City. Although weakened and tired, the British were still dangerous and capable of hurting any American force that they could close with and
fight.
Page Twenty-Three
D. Cornwallis is Trapped at Yorktown, Virginia in 1781:
In 1780, Cornwallis allowed two parts of his army to move away from his main force on raids. A force of British soldiers and American
Loyalists commanded by Colonel Ferguson was surrounded and wiped out at the Battle of King’s Mountain. Shortly afterwards, a second force
under General Tarleton was defeated by Daniel Morgan at the Battle of Cowpens. During the battle, Morgan lured some of the best British soldiers
in America into a trap. A majority of the British force was killed or captured. Cornwallis realized that he would have to move north and have a
British fleet evacuate him to New York City.
Pressured by American attacks, Cornwallis decided to move his army onto the Yorktown Peninsula in Virginia to wait for ships to arrive and
move his army north. Washington quickly realized that Cornwallis had made a mistake. He moved the Continental Army and a French Army from
New Jersey to Virginia and trapped Cornwallis at Yorktown. At the same time, the British fleet off the Yorktown Peninsula decided to move north to
make repairs on ships damaged by a severe storm at sea. Without realizing it, Cornwallis had no support from the British Navy when he needed it
the most.
Finally, a French fleet arrived off Yorktown and sealed Cornwallis off from any retreat by land or sea. After three weeks of trying to break
out of the trap, Cornwallis surrendered his army to Washington on October 17, 1781. Cornwallis knew better than anyone else that his surrender
meant the end of the war in America. The world’s greatest power had been defeated by its former American Colonies.
EFFECTS:
Any serious hope of a British victory in the Revolution vanished with the surrender of Cornwallis. Britain could not afford to
send more forces to America and control its other colonies around the world. Instead, Britain turned to the task of fighting its other enemies
in Europe, India, Africa, and the Caribbean Sea.
E. The Last Two Years of the War and the Treaty of Paris in 1783:
Britain, fighting to preserve and expand its colonies around the world, did not have any forces to send to America after 1781. Although there
were some small battles between 1781 and 1783, the British spent the remaining two years of the war in New York City. Washington spent the same
years waiting and watching the British outside the city while American diplomats began to work on a peace treaty with Britain in Paris. In 1783, the
United States and Great Britain formally ended the Revolutionary War. The 1783 Treaty of Paris:
-
Forced Britain to recognize the United States as an independent nation
Gave the United States all lands between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mississippi River (excluding Florida)
Set the northern U.S. border at Canada and the southern border at Florida (which was given back to Spain)
The U.S. agreed to pay for the lost property of Loyalists who had fled the United States
Page Twenty-Four
EFFECTS:
The U.S. remained an independent nation and faced the difficult task of governing a new nation. Britain, although
disappointed by the loss of the 13 Colonies, remained the most powerful empire on earth. The conquest of the entire nation of India gave
Britain great wealth – more than enough to cover British losses in America. The British Navy still ruled the seas. Britain decided to
wait for any sign of weakness in the United States that would give them a chance to take back the “Colonies.”
General Nathaniel Greene
Commander in Chief of U.S. Forces in the South
General Daniel Morgan
Leader of the U.S. Army at the Battle of the Cowpens
Page Twenty-Five
Henry “Lighthorse Harry” Lee
U.S. Cavalry Commander in the South
General Lord Cornwallis
Commander of British Forces in the South
Francis Marion
“The Swamp Fox” – U.S. Militia Commander in the South
Page Twenty-Six
Colonel Patrick Ferguson
British Commander Defeated and Killed at King’s Mountain
General Banastre Tarleton
British Cavalry Commander Defeated at Cowpens
Review Questions
1.
After the loss of Savannah and Charleston and the defeat of Gates, it seemed as if:
2.
What were the tactics used by Americans generals in the South designed to do?
3.
What did many Loyalists discover about remaining loyal to Britain in America?
4.
How did Washington trap Cornwallis at Yorktown?
5.
What vanished with Cornwallis’ surrender at Yorktown?
6.
Under the Treaty of Paris in 1783, Britain was forced to: