Trenton, New Strategies, and Saratoga

Victory in Trenton

• Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware River on Dec. 25, 1776.

Victory in Trenton cont..

• The Hessians (hired German soldiers fighting for Britain) were camping out in Trenton, New Jersey.

• They were all sleeping because they had just enjoyed their Christmas festivities!

• They were so shocked, they surrendered to Washington.

Armies get new Stratgies

• Strategy: an overall plan for winning the war.• Old Strategy for both armies: win in 1 battle.• New American strategy: defensive… rather

than defeating the British, just tire them out!• New British strategy: split the American army

by taking control of New York and the waterways.

The Battles of Saratoga

• The British were trying to travel from the north to New York to get more supplies.

• The Continental Army attacked them each time they tried to continue.

• After multiple, mini-battles, the British surrendered.

• These conflicts were known as the Battles of Saratoga.

A Turning Point

• The American Army was able to prove themselves during the Battles of Saratoga.

• The world was now seeing them as a strong army/nation.

• France and Spain joined the fight by supporting the American Army!!!

Valley Forge

Valley Forge

• An extremely freezing winter of 1777-1778.• Short on supplies, no shoes! Represented the

hardships that the Continental Army faced.• ¼ of the army died from malnutrition,

exposure to the cold or diseases.• Women, private citizens, came to bring

supplies.

Battle at Yorktown

Yorktown

• Cornwallis had his British troops set up base in Yorktown, NY.

• Washington used the French ships to block the harbors so the British couldn’t get their supplies.

• American troops bombarded the town, leaving the British troops no way out.

• Cornwallis surrendered!

The War Ends