Session 4: The American Revolution

Military and Diplomacy

Class Objectives• Compare the advantages and disadvantages of the Continental

Army and the British Army.

• Compare the 3 different sides during the Revolution and the aspects of each

• Identify George Washington and the main generals and military leaders for the Continental and British armies

• Explain the diplomatic actions of Jefferson and Franklin.

• Define the major battles including the turning point and final battle of the war.

• Explain the major events that ended the Revolution.

British Advantages in the War

1. Strong, well trained

army and navy.

2. Strong, central

government with

available funds

3. Support of Loyalists

and Native Americans

British Disadvantages in the War

1. Atlantic Ocean separating Britain from the American battlefields

2. Troops unfamiliar with the terrain of the Americas

3. Weak military leaders

4. Sympathy of some British politicians for the American cause.

American Advantages in the War

1. Home-field advantage

2. Leadership of George Washington and other officers

3. Inspiring cause of independence

4. Assistance from France and other European nations

American Disadvantages in the War

1. Untrained soldiers

2. Shortage of food, ammunition and supplies

3. Inferior navy

4. No central government to enforce wartime policies.

Loyalists vs. Patriots• Loyalists (Tories)

– American Colonists who remained loyal to the British during the war.

– Felt that Britain was justified in taxing the colonies due to the protection they received during the French and Indian War.

– Felt strong social and economic ties to Britain and believed the British would ultimately win the war.

– It is estimated that about a third of the colonists remained loyalists throughout the war.

Loyalists vs. Patriots• Patriots

– Desired complete and total independence from England

– Motto based from the quote of Patrick Henry “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death”

– Inspired by Common Sense by Thomas Paine

– Made up the troops in Washington’s Continental Army and third of the colonial population.

Neutrals • Neutrals

– Were undecided on the war.

– Many disagreed with British policies but did not want to declare independence

– Made up a third of the population.

Check for Understanding

• What were the main advantages for the British during the war…what were the disadvantages?

• What were the main advantages for the Americans during the war…what were the disadvantages?

• What were the reasons why one would be a loyalist, patriot or neutral during the war?

George Washington

• Kept his army intact during the war and never allowed a major loss at the hands of the British.

• Secured major victories at Trenton, Monmouth and later Yorktown.

• Wintered his army at Valley Forge, providing time for the Americans to regroup and train.

• His leadership was one of the main reasons why the Americans were victorious in the war.

Activity

• In pairs, fill in the sheet about Revolutionary

War leaders on pages 113-121.

• Be sure to include the following

information…what side they fought for,

significance to the war, battles involved in,

and military position/assignment.

Franklin and Jefferson

• Ben Franklin and Thomas

Jefferson in addition to the

their efforts in the

Continental Congress made

numerous trips to Europe

to gain support for the

American cause from

France and other nations.

Activity

• In pairs, fill out the sheet on the major battles of the Revolution on pages 113-121

• Be sure to include the following information on the sheet…the year, who fought, who won, where it happened and the leaders at the battle (if available)

The End of the Revolution

• With French assistance, Washington and the Continental Army are able to trap General Cornwallis at Yorktown.

• After a month siege, the British army surrendered.

• The Treaty of Paris 1783 officially ended the war and gave America its independence.

Check for Understanding• What were the major contributions of George Washington

during the Revolution?

• Who were the major war leaders for the British and the Americans, how were the Americans assisted by foreign military leaders?

• What were the diplomatic contributions of Jefferson and Franklin?

• What were the major battles and outcomes of the Revolution?

• How did the war end, what treaty ended the war?

Next Class

• Homework: Note

Check

• Session 5: Review

for Test

• Test Wednesday,

October 8th