Name
Date
Struggling Toward
Saratoga
In the last section, you learned about the events that led
to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
In this section, you will learn about the important early
battles in the War for Independence.
Trenton Battle won bythe Americans
in 1776
Saratoga Battle won bythe
Americans in 1777
Valley Forge Place where
Washington’s army spent the winter
of 1777-1778
inflation Rise in the price of goods
profiteering Selling goodsthat are
difficult to come byfor a profit
Use the chart below to take notes about the early battles
of the American Revolution.
BATTLE
prepared and equipped. The Briti/h forced
Washington’s army to retreat into Pennsylvania.
On Christmas night of 1776, VCashington and
What were the important early
his army struck back. They crossed the Delaware
battles?
Biver into Trenton, New Jersey. In a surprise
Shortly after the Continental Congress adopted the a~taek, the colonial army captured almost 1,000
Declaration of Independenee, the colonies suffered British soldiers. Shollly afterwards, Washington’s
a major defeat at the h~md of the British. In late troops attempted to retake Philadelphia ~vhieh
August 1776, the British many seized New York City. the British also had seized. However, British troops
Its aim was to isolate New England from the rest of forced the eoloniai army to retreat.
the colonies. George Washington tried to resist the Late in 1777, British troops and Native
British troops, but his soldiers were poorlyAmericans marched south from Canada. The
CIIAPTEn 4 TI~ WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE
Continental Army met them at Saratoga, Newpaper money. The more money Congress printed,
York. The colonists won the ba*de. Saratoga was the less it became @ordi. This cansed inflation,
considered a turning point of the war. Thewhich is a rise in the price of goods: In New York,
colonists" victory proved that they couM competefor example, the price of beef and sugar doubled in
~th the Iarge~ and bettevequipped B~tish army, one three-month period.
The Congress ’also straggled to supply its army
The ~eto~ also conduced the Fren& that the
colonists had a chance to ~n the war, The French with weapons. One problem was that Britain’s powerful navy controlled the American coast. As a
were longtime enemies of the British. After
Saratoga, the French recog~zed American inde- result, Americans had to smuggle arms in
pendence. They also agreed to send troops ~d Europe. Some corrupt government officials took
.part in profiteering, or selling hard-to-find
supplies.
Meanwhile. Washington and Ns soldiers spent aweapons and goods for a high priee.
miserable ~nter at V~ey Fore, Pennsylvm~a, in As colonial men went to war, many women took
the woods outside P1Oaddphia. The American sol- their husbands" places rnnning homes, farms, and
~ers camped there suffbred from hunger and frost-businesses. Some women earned nmney washing
bRe. More than g.O00 soldiers Ned.
and eooldng for the troops. A few woraen even
fought in battle.
Why was the Battle of Saratoga important?
The war also led to greater opporbmity for
Af~Scan Americans. Thousands of ~laves escaped to
freedom during the war. About 5,000 African
Americans served in the Continental Army. Their
courage and loyalty impressed many white
Americans.
Revolution ,,a 0s
lffow did the war affect American
How did the war affect different groups o|
Americans?
society?
The war touched all Americans. For one thing, the
nation’s economy suffered. In an attempt to pay its
troops, the Continental Congress printed more
Skilibuilder
Use the picture to answer the questions
What does this picture of American
soldiers at Valley Forge tell you about
conditions there?
General Washington’s troops
march to Valley Forge.
How did these conditions affect the
American soldiers?