The Revolutionary War

Following the Declaration of Independence…

• The population of the new United States reacted… differently

• Some Americans refused to participate in the revolution. These (typical upper class) individuals were called loyalists or tories, because they refused to obey the Crown.

• Those who were devoted to the American cause were called “Patriots.”

• Many “Patriots” seized the property of “Loyalists/Tories” during the Revolutionary War because they were considered traitors to the American cause

Strategy in the Revolutionary War…• Statistically speaking, the British had the overwhelming

military advantage at the onset of the American Revolution

• Britain had the world’s largest and strongest navy, the largest and best supplied, as well as best disciplined, military in the world, and of course, the loyalty of more than 150,000 colonists

• But, the British did have some issues – a long supply chain (from American to Britain) as well as an inability to differ from European battle strategy, disadvantaged the British

Unlike the British…

• The early Continental Army suffered from many setbacks

• Despite the respected leadership of General Washington, the Continental Army was a rag-tag bunch of volunteers with little experience

• They were ill-disciplined, but what they lacked in experience they made up for in innovative strategy, as well as the “home field advantage”

Despite these difficulties…

• The colonists made up for any lack of supplies or ability through tenacity

• The first major battle of the American Revolution actually occurred in 1775 (prior to the Declaration of Independence)

• The Battle of Bunker Hill

The Battle of Bunker Hill• Actually took place on Breed’s Hill (misnamed by later

historians)

• Colonists built crude fortifications atop the hill, placing cannons towards the mouth of Boston harbor

• It took the British three charges to take the hill, and is the battle that spawned the famous phrase “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!”

• The British, while victorious, suffered 1,000 casualties.

British Commander…

• General William Howe, was determined to move his way slowly through the colonies

• However, by March, 1776, the British were forced to evacuate their strategic position in Boston (Cannons from Fort Ticonderoga assisted in forcing them away)– they had to move to New York

George Washington…

• Tried to force the British from New York, but was unsuccessful

• His army was plagued by poor supplies, desertions, and lack of morale

• Desperate to drum up a victory, Washington decided to make a very sneaky move against the British encamped at Trenton, New Jersey

The Battle of Trenton

• Took place on Christmas, 1776

• Washington, taking advantage of the British troops and Hessian (German) mercenaries who were drunk and asleep, crossed the Delaware in the dark of night

• He ambushed the troops encamped there, and in their confusion, captured and boldly routed the British regiment at Princeton (Battle of Princeton, January 3)

Following Washington’s victories…

• The French began sending badly needed supplies to the United States

• The French were excited by the opportunity to undermine British authority in the colonies as revenge for the Seven Years War

• They sent weapons, ammunition, uniforms and other supplies

The British most likely…• Would have won the American Revolution if it weren’t for a

few key mistakes

• General “Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne was sent to cut the New England colonies (the hotbed of the rebellion) off from the rest of the colonies

• He was to take the city of Albany and Saratoga, but due to carrying so much heavy artillery, he was slowed. He was attacked by General Benedict Arnold on September 19, 1777.

This slowed General Burgoyne so much…

• That he was easily surrounded in October by another Continental Army General, Horatio Gates

• Gates swiftly killed more than 400 of Burgoyne’s men, including most of his grenadiers (Artillery Men) forcing Burgoyne to surrender

• The Battle of Saratoga is considered a turning point BECAUSE His loss resulted in the French committing themselves fully to the Revolutionary War, donating ships and men to the effort

Even women…• Contributed to the war effort

• Betsy Ross is the fabled sewer of the very first Stars and Stripes

• “Molly Pitcher” supposedly took over her husbands cannon when he died in battle (One of those elementary school myths, here)

• In addition to this, the concept of Republican Motherhood, was born. Women were expected to assist in the war effort because they had direct influence on households and raising of children; because mothers were more often than not the educators of said young children, a new push began for education for women in the US. If the young republic were to succeed, then women must instruct their children in the ways of the republic, and must be educated in order to explain it properly to their children.

The Winter at Valley Forge…

• Despite their victory at Saratoga, the harsh winter and lack of supplies during the winter of 1777-1778 hurt the morale of the Continental Army

• Washington’s Army was stationed at Valley Forge – exposure and disease killed more than 2500 soldiers by February, 1778

• Most soldiers didn’t have shoes or coats, there was very little food. Only loyalty to Washington made most stay.

Washington did have help…• From Baron Friedrich von Steuben

• von Steuben was a Prussian mercenary who had great experience in fighting British style armies

• He spent the winter at Valley Forge training and whipping Washington’s army into shape

• His training prepared the Continental Army for the final stretch of battles that would involve an even larger British force

Once again, however…

• It seemed the British would win.

• The British had changed their military strategy to involve seizing the colonies, and by 1780 had captured Georgia and South Carolina

• They had also convinced General Horatio Gates and General Benedict Arnold of the Continental Army to betray their country and join the British side

But, the arrival of French troops…

• In 1781, greatly bolstered Washington’s Army’s spirits

• The Ohio River Valley was captured by General George Rogers Clark of the Continental Army

• General Cornwallis (BRITISH) was sent to secure the town of Yorktown, Virginia.

Cornwallis made a mistake…

• He thought that the British navy would arrive to pick the British troops up from Yorktown

• But a French fleet, not a British fleet, arrived and secured the harbor

• For three weeks Cornwallis tried to break through Washington’s troops in front of him, and the British navy tried to break into the harbor to reach the beleaguered general

The Siege of Yorktown…

• Also known as the Battle of Yorktown was considered the death knell of the British effort in the Revolutionary War

• On October 17, 1781 he surrendered. On March 4, 1782, Parliament voted to end the Revolutionary War

The Treaty of Paris, 1783• Signed between the British and Americans following the end

of hostilities during the American Revolution

• Great Britain formally recognized the United States of America

• All territory (except Canada) won during the French and Indian War was turned over to the United States of America; fishing rights were granted off the Newfoundland coast to Americans; Americans had to return all property seized by Patriots to Loyalists during the Revolution

And George Washington was like…

MERICA!