“A Critical Time”
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Focus Question: How were the early years of the
war a critical time?
Colonies have proclaimed independence. How did
American fortunes shift on the battlefields?
Retreat from New York
*In mid-1776, heavy fighting shifted from New
England to the Middle States.
Attack and Retreat
*June 1776 - as Continental Congress was
considering independence, Sir William Howe, a
British commander, gathered his forces of 34,000
troops and 10,000 sailors at Staten Island, NY.
*Washington expected Howe’s attack, but his
20,000 poorly trained men were no match for
Howe’s troops.
*Washington was first driven out of Brooklyn,
then out of NYC. They were pursued to NJ.
Nathan Hale
*Nathan Hale, a CT officer, volunteered to spy
and capture British battle plans. He was caught
and hanged, but it was reported he said, “I only
regret that I have but one life to lose for my
country.”
Surprises for the British
*Continental Army kept retreating under British
pursuit.
*December - army pushed into Pennsylvania.
*Patriot spirits low, many deserted army.
*To raise morale, Thomas Paine wrote The Crisis,
a pamphlet urging Americans to support their
army, which Washington had read aloud to his
troops.
Crossing the Delaware
*Christmas night, 1776 - Washington led his men
across the Delaware River on small boats to attack
Trenton, NJ.
*Washington’s soldiers were so poorly supplied
that they often had no shoes (tied rags to feet).
*The soldiers in Trenton were hired mercenaries
(soldiers who are paid to fight for a country other
than there own).
An American Victory
*Hessians (German mercenaries fighting for
British) had been sleeping off a Christmas
celebration when Washington’s men surprised
them and captured almost a thousand men,
assuring a decisive victory.
*Washington’s men escaped the British by
escaping during the night while their fires burned
tricking the British into thinking they were still
there. Attacked British near Princeton.
Saratoga: A Turning Point
*British General John Burgoyne plan – cutting
New England off from the rest of the states.
The British Plan
*Burgoyne’s attack near Albany, NY, came from
three directions:
~From Canada – Burgoyne leads an army
of 8,000 south to Lake Champlain, Lake
George, and upper Hudson River.
~From the west – St. Leger‘s smaller force
would move toward Albany through
Mohawk Valley
~From the south – Howe would lead a large
army north up Hudson River from NYC.
*The plan failed.
~Howe was ordered to move further south by
the king to try to capture Washington.
~Burgoyne took his time and rewarded his
men with celebrations instead of driving
forward
~St. Leger was tricked by a false piece of
leaked information saying his troops would
be outnumbered and retreated.
An American Victory
*Burgoyne’s troops encountered American troops
near Saratoga, NY. American leaders Benedict
Arnold and Horatio Gates commanded the
Americans. Arnold’s men attacked repeatedly
near Freeman’s Farm inflicting heavy casualties
on the British. Gates’ men attacked from behind
earthen walls.
*Eventually Burgoyne suffered too many
casualties and was forced to retreat.
Results of the Battle
*The Battles of Saratoga had two consequences.
1 - Benedict Arnold, recovering from wounds,
was swayed to believe in the Loyalist cause by
a woman caring for him who would become
his wife. He would attempt to turn over an
American fort to the British but the plan was
discovered and he escaped capture.
2 - It was a turning point in the war since it
caused European countries to believe
Americans might win and it lifted American
spirits.
Help from Overseas
*Soon after Saratoga, France agreed to support
American independence.
*Feb. 18, 1778 - Alliance with France (a formal
agreement between two powers to work together
toward a common goal) formed.
The French Alliance
*Alliance came from a desire by France to weaken
Britain (enemy – French and Indian war!).
*France had secretly supplied money and
weapons to Americans but did not publicize their
position until it seemed Americans could win.
*Saratoga convinced France to side with
Americans.
*France and its allies (Netherlands and Spain)
also went to war with England. Since the fighting
was in Europe, Caribbean, and America, it forced
Britain to wage war on many fronts and gave
Britain fewer troops to fight in America.
European Volunteers
*Many Europeans volunteered to fight in America
for liberty.
*The Marquis de Lafayette became a high
ranking officer in Washington’s army.
Baron von Steuben
*Baron von Steuben from Germany helped train
the Continental Army by teaching marching,
improving aim, and attacking with bayonets.
Valley Forge
*Washington’s army of 11,000 suffered a cruel
winter in 1777-1778 at Valley Forge,
Pennsylvania.
~insufficient food, clothing, or housing
(many lacked socks, shoes or proper pants)
~about ¼ were sick at any time
~periodically went for days without food
*Americans learned of hardships and sent help.
Women collected food, medicine, clothes, and even
ammunition.
*Some women, including Martha Washington,
went to tend the wounded
*Soldiers used time at Valley Forge to gather
strength and practice fighting skills and discipline.
Review Questions
1. What was the result of the Battle of Long
Island?
The colonists retreated and eventually abandoned
New York City.
2. How did Washington attack Trenton?
He crossed the Delaware and attacked the city
from two sides while it was asleep.
3. List two results of the Battle of Saratoga?
Results include saving New England, demoralizing
Britain, and encouraging Europeans to support
the colonists.
4. How did France aid the Patriot cause?
At first, France secretly supplied money and arms
to the colonists. After forming an alliance openly,
France and its allies fought Britain in Europe,
which forced England to wage war on many
fronts.
5. Why was the winter at Valley Forge so
difficult?
The soldiers were not sufficiently housed, clothed
or fed.