Turning Points of the War
STRENGTH
-Well-Trained
-Well-Equipped
-50,000 Loyalists
-30,000 Mercenaries
WEAKNESS
-Unpopular War
-Fighting in another
territory
STRENGTH
-Fighting in own territory
-Reason to fight
WEAKNESS
-Lacked Supplies
-Lacked training
Bunker Hill (June 1775)
- Colonists occupy two hills in Boston
- British launch two assaults (but fail)
- Patriots run out of ammunition and are
forced to retreat
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*This was a British victory- however- they
suffered great losses
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September 15, 1776
*William Howe captures New York City
Battle of Trenton
*Short of food, supplies, ammunition
*Washington saves his army- and the
Revolution- by counterattacking on December 26,
1776
*They cross the Delaware River in the middle of
Christmas night- and surprised attacked German
mercenaries.
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Into the night, Washington sends his troops north of
Princeton.
To keep their movement secret, torches were extinguished
and wagon wheels were wrapped in heavy cloth
Battle of Princeton
- January 3, 1777
- Washington inflicted heavy causalities on British General
Charles Cornwallis ‘s troops
Battle of Saratoga
- fought in two stages on Sept. 19 and Oct 7, 1777
- Without victory, American forces would likely not have
received critical assistance from a very important ally.

Who were encouraged to recognize American
independence after the victory at Saratoga?

Valley Forge (1777/1778)
- In Pennsylvania, Washington’s army spent
harsh and hungry winter outside of
Philadelphia
-Soldiers suffered from lack of supplies and
food