Chapter 6
The War
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The Early Years
The War Continues
The War Move South
The War is Won
The Early Years
• Advantages and Disadvantages
• Recruiting, Equipping, and Training an
Army
• An African American Presence
• Won / Loss Column
Advantages / Disadvantages
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American
+ Fighting on own land
+ Had a Cause for which
to fight.
+ Washington
- No Professional Army
- Limited Financial
Resources.
- Divided Loyalties.
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British
+ Strong Navy
+ Larger Population
+ Well Trained Army
+ Deep Pockets
- Long Distance
- Will to Win
Recruiting, Equipping, and
Training an Army
• Militia’s were locally recruited and trained
– Different rules, regulations, and drills.
– Elected officers and leaders
• Congress Commissions a Regular Army
– Enlistments of one year.
– Low pay when paid
– Training limited until after Valley Forge
Exceedingly rare
Master/Slave
Enlistment Agreement
from the
Revolutionary War
that allows
Connecticut slave
"Juba Negro" to join
the Continental Army
at half pay
- Juba would gain his
freedom as well, as
during his service,
he changed his name
to "Juba Freeman."
(June 2, 1777)
African American Involvement
In 1777, Washington
approved the recruitment
and training of African
American Soldiers.
The 1st Rhodes Island
Regiment was formed and
Commanded by Col
Nicholas Green.
Masters were paid 120
B.Pounds. Slaves were
given ½ pay and later
promised freedom.
Win / Loss
The War Continues
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European Support
Winter at Valley Forge
Lafayette
Home Front.
Glory at Sea
The War Moves South
European Support
• Franklin and Adams as Ambassadors to
France
• After Saratoga Franklin secures France’s
aid. Adams secures European loans.
• In the beginning, France provides limited
naval and ground support.
The War Moves West and South
• The war on the western frontier was mainly a war
against the Native American Allies of the British.
• General’s Clinton and Cornwallis move to
separate the South from the Revolution.
• Clinton returns to New York leaving Cornwallis
in command.
• The British win Force on Force Battles but cannot
control the South because of Guerrilla tactics
employed by the rebels.
The War Moves West and South
• Spanish Gov. of Louisiana opens the Port
of New Orleans to the Colonists
• Spain Declares war on Britain.
• Colonial victories at Kings Mountain and at
Cowpens solidify support for the Cause in
the South.
• Cornwallis retreats North to Yorktown after
Guilford Courthouse.
Events Leading Up to
Yorktown and
Independence
 July 1780
Rochambeau Lands
with French Army in RI.
April 1781 Cornwallis
Retreats to Yorktown
VA.
 August 1781 French
Adm. deGrasse’s fleet
become available to
support operations.
Q. Why would Cornwallis
position his army on a peninsula?
War Comes to a Close
• After Yorktown, the British still held the
key cities of Savannah, Charles Town, and
New York.
• The Surrender at Yorktown convinced the
British that winning the war would be too
costly.
• Franklin, Adams, and John Jay secure
independence with the Treaty of Paris 1783
Treaty of Paris 1783
• Britain recognizes the Independence of the United
States of America.
• fixed the boundaries of the United States.
• granted Americans fishing rights off
Newfoundland
• provided that creditors of either side would be
unimpeded in the collection of lawful debts.
• provide for restitution of confiscated property to
British subjects, and take no further proceedings
against the Loyalists.
(www.answers.com/topic/treaty-of-paris-1763)
Prologue
• Although the war was over, there were many
more problems to solve.
• The Army had to be paid and disbanded.
– Newburgh Conspiracy – Officers threatened not to
disband the army if demands were not met.
– Washington quells the situation and convinces
Congress to meet their demands.
• November 1783 British finally leave New York
and Washington resigns in December.
Legacy of the Revolution
• Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
transcends National Borders and inspires
the French Revolution, Revolts in Spanish
Colonies . . ..
• Are the ideals of the Revolution relevant in
our world today?