The American Revolution 1776-1783 Review Lexington and Concord Formation of Continental Army Battle of Bunker Hill British Retreat from Boston Common Sense Declaration of Independence United Streaming American Revolution: Quiz and Discussion: The First Continental Congress and the Battle of Lexington and Concord (00:52) The Second Continental Congress (00:57) The Battle of Bunker Hill (02:09) Thomas Paine (02:26) The Declaration of Independence (03:03) Review: Causes of the American Revolution (01:48) Geography Outline map of colonies and main battle sites, also cities Cities: NY, Boston, Philadelphia, Princeton, Trenton, Saratoga, Bennington, Montreal, Ft. Ticonderoga, Hudson, St. Lawrence, Mohawk River, Lake Ontario, Delaware River Quiz on map Do Now: Revolution What does revolution mean? What is the difference between revolution and rebellion? Take a dictionary from the closet and write down the two definitions and what you think the difference is? Main Ideas Battles of the Revolution People Strategies Hardships Results Do Now: How did the British and American strategies differ during the early years of the war? Consider: What the British expected from the Americans Washington’s main goals for the Continental Army Why Burgoyne invaded from Canada Life in the 18th Century The average child had roughly a 50% chance of surviving to adulthood Slavery legal in all thirteen colonies Women could not vote, hold public office, and unless widowed, own property in most colonies Life in the 18th Century Travel was slow and uncertain, by water, ships depended on wind; by land, a rider on horseback might hope to cover 30 miles in a day, a passenger in a coach, just 20 How long would it take to ride from Greenwich to Boston? Aside from sunlight, only source of heat was fire, usually from a fireplace After sunset, illumination from moonlight or candlelight Life in the 18th Century No indoor plumbing: the flush toilet, kitchen faucet, and bathroom are 19th century innovations – chamber pots, outhouses, and buckets a way of life Privacy a rare privilege for most: people, including children at home and strangers at inns shared beds Aside from a minority of city dwellers, most people were farmers Life in the 18th Century There was no anesthesia for surgery or childbirth Every household produced some, if not all, the candles, soap, foodstuffs, and clothing it required The medieval idea that the four humors still dominated medical theory, so bloodletting and purging were employed to restore balance of black and yellow bile, blood and phlegm, and thus presumably good health Capture of Ft. Ticonderoga by Ethan Allen, May 1775 What Do You Think? What sacrifices do civilians make during wartime? How might these be different from today’s Iraq war? What sacrifices do soldiers make? Are such sacrifices worth it to win independence for your country? Why or why not? What personal possessions would you be willing to sacrifice to preserve your freedom? What event in recent years reminds you of political independence? What Do You Think? Why did the Patriots persist in declaring independence even though it might lead to a war they could not win? Americans Divided Opinion polls did not exist in the 1700’s, historians estimate the following How would historians come up with these figures? Loyalists 20-30%; Patriots 40-45%; remainder neutral Pacifists Most Americans did not support the Revolution How would these numbers affect the war? Continental Army Image of soldiers, inferences Native Americans & African Americans Native Americans divided on both sides, some joined the British fearing that an American victory would lead to loss of land African-Americans at first not able to enlist in many colonies, slave owners feared revolts British governor offered freedom to any enslaved person who joined the British army, many slaves ran away About 5,000 African Americans served in the Continental Army, many hoped their service would lead to greater equality Creating an Army With a majority against the Revolution, raising an army difficult George Washington, commander of the Continental Army Men enlisted at first for one year, later extended, when time up, went home Washington’s army never numbered more than 17,000 Continental Army Continental Army poorly supplied by Congress, short of blankets, food, shoes, guns, ammunition Many women helped by cooking, laundry, nursing British thought the Americans were disorganized, inexperienced rebels British thought a decisive victory could end the war Washington’s main goal to survive, keep an army, win some battles, and avoid a crushing defeat Washington could not hope to win a major battle until he had a large, well equipped army Continental Army United Streaming: The Continental Congress and the Continental Army (06:33) The Continental Congress and the American Revolution (01:52) George Washington and the Continental Army (03:23) The British and Continental Armies (01:17) Struggle for Middle States In 1776, British had been forced to retreat from Boston British goal to occupy coastal cities, where they could land troops and supplies In July 1776, British under General Howe arrived in New York with a large army Mercenary: professional soldier hired to fight for a foreign country (Hessians) Struggle for Middle States For several months, British and American armies fought for New York state New York campaign British forced Washington to retreat through New Jersey In December, American army crossed Delaware River into Pennsylvania, army in terrible condition New York Campaign United Streaming Continental Army at Valley Forge Primary sources and images of poor conditions Excerpts from Thomas Paine’s The American Crisis United Streaming: Valley Forge Battles of Trenton, Princeton Washington under pressure as many of his troops’ enlistments up on Dec. 31 On December 25, American army crossed Delaware and surprised Hessians in Trenton 900 Hessians captured or killed, many supplies captured Eight days later, American army defeats British at Trenton United Streaming: Battle of Trenton (3:00) British Strategy Strategy: overall plan of action British strategy: seize Hudson River Valley, cut off New England from other states Three British armies to meet in Albany General Burgoyne south from Canada Lieutenant St. Leger away from Lake Ontario down Mohawk Valley General Howe north from NYC Britain’s Strategy June 1777 Burgoyne left Canada, captured Fort Ticonderoga Burgoyne’s delays gave Americans time to block path, slowed by swampy conditions Rendezvous: meeting Burgoyne received word that Howe would not come north, instead invade Penn. Howe defeated Washington at Brandywine, but did not capture him, occupied Philadelphia Washington attacked British at Germantown but lost and retreated United Streaming: The Military Strategy of General Burgoyne (01:08) Battles Along the Mohawk Lt. Colonel St. Leger and Iroquois allies led by Mohawk chief Joseph Brant tried to reach Albany Fooled by American General Benedict Arnold that American army large, British retreated and left behind supplies Because of St. Leger’s retreat and Howe’s refusal to follow the strategy, no one left to rendezvous with Burgoyne Saratoga: A Turning Point Burgoyne running out of supplies, sent raiding party to Vermont, defeated at Battle of Bennington in August 1777 Burgoyne’s army headed to Albany, attacked Gen. Gates forces at Saratoga, NY, heavy British casualties, but they held on Another battle at Saratoga in October forced the British to retreat Burgoyne’s exhausted forces captured at a third battle in Saratoga, surrender These battles called the Battles of Saratoga Saratoga: A Turning Point Benedict Arnold married a Loyalist, felt not rewarded enough In 1780 he agreed to turn over an American fort to the British, plot discovered but he escaped On positive side, victory at Saratoga a turning point in the Revolution, caused Europeans to think Americans might win, several European nations decide to help America France signs a public alliance treaty supplies troops, ships, supplies & money The Surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga. October 1777 7.2 HW The War Expands To defeat the mighty British Empire, the U.S. needed an ally Ally: country that agrees to help another achieve a common goal U.S. turned to France, Britain’s longtime enemy for troops, supplies, money, sent Ben Franklin France did not agree to an alliance until after the American victory at Saratoga Why would France be upset with Britain? Help From Abroad By signing an alliance with the U.S., France went to war with Britain France sent money, supplies, ships and troops France persuaded its ally Spain to help the U.S. Small Spanish army took Natchez, Baton Rouge, Mobile and Pensacola Spain wanted more empire in North America France and Spain forced Britain to fight a number of enemies on land and sea, prevented Britain from concentrating all of its forces against the Americans Do Now Take out 7.2 notes How did Lafayette and other European officers help the Continental Army? What did the Continental Army experience at Valley Forge and how did it affect it in the long run? Do Now Turn in Valley Forge homework Get with your skit groups, quickly finish preparations and get ready to present Europeans Help Washington European military officers from Poland, France, and the German states came to help the Americans Marquis de Lafayette, French nobleman, volunteered, given command of division, beloved, close to Washington Baron von Steuben, a German, trained the Continental Army Formed troops into companies, taught them how to move in lines and columns, handle weapons, make charges with bayonets (long steel knives attached to the ends of guns) Winter at Valley Forge Late 1777, Gen. Howe forces Washington to retreat from Philadelphia Winter of 1777-8 army camped at Valley Forge Terrible conditions: barefoot, hungry, sick 25% of soldiers die from malnutrition, exposure to cold, disease Some soldiers deserted, but most stayed due to patriotism, Washington Valley Forge Dec. 19, 177-June 19, 1778 In February, almost 5,000 soldiers were too sick to fight, another 3,700 lacked either shoes or clothes Shipments intended for troops often stolen by government employees Many local farmers refused to sell food to the army. Others would not sell because American currency was worthless Valley Forge Common ailments include typhus and dysentery Desertions exceed 2,000; by February 810 men leave every day When frostbitten, flesh dies, turns black. Gangrene can spread through the body and can be fatal. Amputations performed without anethestics, so amputees often died from infections anyway. Winter of 1777-8 at Valley Forge, Washington and Lafayette War on the Frontier In 1777 frontiersman George Rogers Clark raised an army to defend the frontier from British and Native Americans Captured British posts and forts Clark’s victories gave Americans a hold on the vast region between the Great Lakes and the Ohio River Spread British thin, made them defend huge area [United Streaming, George Rogers Clark 3:25] War at Sea By 1777 British have 100 warships off coast of America, controlled trade routes American privateers attacked British trade ships Privateers: privately owned ship that government gives permission to attack enemy’s merchant ships More than 1,000 American privateers captured hundreds of British ships, disrupted trade Prompted British merchants to demand end to war Naval Hero In 1779, Continental officer led four American ships patrolling English coast Approached a convoy of supply ships guarded by two British warships His ship the Bonhomme Richard rammed the Serapis with both ships locked, British demand surrender “I have not yet begun to fight!”, shouted Jones Naval Hero After a three hour battle, British surrendered, Bonhommie so full of holes, it sank, Americans sailed away in Serapis The success of Jones vs. the best navy in the world inspired the Americans and angered the British; brought war to the British John Paul Jones Born John Paul in Scotland, by 21 commanded a merchant ship In 1773, Paul killed the leader of a mutiny on his ship, fled to America to avoid a murder trial, added Jones to his name His ship first to fly American colors His attack on Whitehaven, England the last invasion of British mainland His raids in the English channel and coastal towns spread panic, brought war to England Do Now What are three things you learned in writing your newspaper articles? Why did the British invade the South after several unsuccessful years of fighting in the North? Why was fighting between Patriots and Loyalists in the South so vicious? Do Now Write down homework Take out hw (maps/ outfoxing the pros) Test next Wed. (library visit next day) Library card What are the pros and cons of guerrilla warfare? Why is it difficult for the U.S. to combat guerrillas in Afghanistan? • Why did the British move the war South? • What did the loss at the Battle of Charles Town mean for • • • • • • the Continental Army? What kind of "guerrilla war" was fought in the South? What role did the Swamp Fox play? What does General Greene accomplish? Why did the British lose at Yorktown and what was the significance of the battle? What role did the French play in helping the Americans win the war? Why did the Americans win? Looking at the chart on page 218, what was the most important American strength and British weakness? What did Washington mean in his farewell letter, that the army's endurance "through almost every possible suffering and discouragement for the space of eight long years, was little short of a miracle."? Path to American Victory British believing that most Southerners Loyalist, moved war there in 1778 After three years of fighting in North no closer to victory, could not control countryside Thought if they could take the South, loyalists there would hold it Expected African slaves to join them, had promised freedom, many did, others sold Closer to bases in West Indies (troops and supplies) Do Now This weekend read 7.3, look over review sheet on hw page What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic? What surprised you? If you went back in time, would you have wanted to be this person? Savannah & Charleston In December 1778, British captured Savanah, Georgia, conquered most of Georgia British seize Charleston, South Carolina, nearly take all of American’s Southern army, worst American defeat of war The 1779 Battle of Savannah was one of the deadliest of the entire American Revolution. The overwhelming defeat of French and American forces resulted in an allied withdrawal and in approximately 800 wounded or killed, with British losses totaling 55 wounded or dead. • The British victory in Savannah rekindled England's spirit for the war, in part because the victory defeated troops of the regular army of France as well as American rebels. The battle marked the first time French regular army units fought on American soil in the Revolutionary War. The fall of Charleston was a sad blow to the patriot cause -- the most disastrous event of the war, except the fall of Fort Washington on the Hudson four years before. It gave Clinton control of South Carolina as well as of Georgia, and that offlaer now called away for New York, leaving Cornwallis in command with five thousand men. During the following months the scene in the Carolinas and Georgia was one of wild disorder and anarchy. A large portion of the people were loyalists, and scarcely a day passed without hand to hand encounters, bloodshed, and murder. The patriots were without an army, but bands of roving volunteers annoyed the British incessantly. Swamp Fox & Guerrilla War British army in South led by General Cornwallis, new American Southern army led by General Gates American spirits fell as a starved, ill equipped army lost in South Carolina Francis Marion, the “Swamp Fox”, carried out guerrilla raids Guerrilla: small groups of soldiers who weaken enemy with surprise hit and run attacks Both Patriots and Loyalists carried out vicious guerrilla raids against each other Francis Marion – the Swamp Fox Battle of Camden (August 1780) General Gates and his troops out of supplies and starved, makes mistake of putting inexperienced militia up front Americans panic, Gates flees, Kalb stands his ground, but killed Gates fired, American defeat sinks spirits to new low Now and Then American Revolution similar to more recent wars World’s most powerful nation –Britain – bogged down in war against small guerrilla army – the Patriots British superpower had to supply forces from thousands of miles away, war unpopular in Britain Patriots received assistance from Britain’s primary military and political enemy - France Tide Turns Battle of Kings Mountain near border of North and South Carolina (1780) Loyalist and British soldiers surrounded and slaughtered, many after surrendering Reprisal for loyalist raids General Nathanael Greene new American commander in South, kicked out of Quaker church for not being pacifist Pacifist: opposed to war Patriots wore out British with small skirmishes designed to inflict heavy losses The End of the War In 1781 most of fighting took place in Virginia British General Cornwallis set up base at Yorktown on Chesapeake Bay Washington took advantage, August 1781 French fleet arrived and blocked the Bay Large French force under General Rochambeau joined Washington Battle of Yorktown American and French troops bombarded British troops with cannon fire On October 19, 1781 Cornwallis surrendered his force of 8,000 soldiers Yorktown last major battle, some fighting afterwards British leaders forced to resign, new British leaders began to negotiate a peace treaty Surrender of General Cornwallis at Yorktown, Oct. 19, 1781 Do Now Write down tonight’s hw Quietly answer first three questions on sheet (your opinion) Notes, skit, current events Legacy of the War In November 1783, last British ships and troops leave New York Washington’s farewell letter to his troops Americans won through persistence, despite lack of training, experience, supplies, weapons December 4, 1783 Fraunces Tavern, NYC Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge reports: "After partaking of a slight refreshment in almost breathless silence the Gen. filled his glass with wine and turning to the officers said, 'With a heart full of love and gratitude I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable.‘.. "Gen. Knox being nearest to him turned to the Commander In Chief Who suffused in tears was incapable of utterance but grasped his hand when they embraced each other in silence. In the same affectionate manner every officer in the room marched up…and parted with his general in chief. Such a scene of sorrow and weeping I had never before witnessed and fondly hope I may never be called to witness again." American Advantages Better leadership – British overconfident, did not correct mistakes, Washington learned Foreign aid: French troops, fleet, loans, supplies Knowledge of the land Motivation Treaty of Paris (1783) Treaty of Paris ended Revolutionary War U.S. independent Boundaries: Mississippi, Canada, Spanish Florida U.S. could fish off of Canada Each side to repay debts to other British would return enslaved persons Congress would recommend the states return any property seized from Loyalists Treaty of Paris (1783) Neither side fully lived up to the terms Americans did not repay prewar debt owed to British merchants or return Loyalist property The British did not return runaway slaves or give up military outposts in the Great Lakes area, including Fort Detroit Treaty of Paris Costs of the War Estimates of 25,700 Americans died in war; 1,400 missing; 8,200 wounded (10,000 died in camp, 8,500 in British prisons, 7,200 died in battle) British suffered about 10,000 military deaths; 7,000 Hessians Many soldiers with little money or pay, some given certificates for western land Congress and states with debt of $27 million, huge debt Many loyalists lost their property, between 60,000 and 100,00 left the U.S. Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom Proposed by Thomas Jefferson in 1777 People have right to natural opinion, including religious opinion Opposed state laws barring Jews and Catholics from holding state office Opposed practice of tax money being used to support churches Eventually adopted as law in Virginia, served as basis for religious rights in Constitution Issues After the War Republicanism replaces idea of rights of Englishmen Republicanism: people rule, rather than the king, obtain authority from people, responsible to them Calls for more religious freedom Before war, some states discriminated against Jews, Catholics Stopped practice of using government money for churches Hopes of African-Americans Elizabeth Freeman, a slave, sued for her freedom in Massachusetts and won (1781) This and other similar cases ended slavery in that state Richard Allen: helped start the Free African Society, also founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the first African-American church in the United States Issues After the War Many saw a conflict between slavery and ideal of liberty A primary issue was how to shape the government Anger over British taxes, violation of rights, and control of trade had caused the war U.S. needed a government that would protect citizens’ rights and economic freedom