which battle, in your opinion, was most significant in the revolutionary war and why?!? bell ringer
TRANSCRIPT
WHICH BATTLE, IN YOUR OPINION, WAS
MOST SIGNIFICANT IN THE REVOLUTIONARY
WAR AND WHY?!?
Bell Ringer
The End of the Revolution and it’s Lasting Effects
By 18th century standards – American Revolution was very radical
Why? First time overseas colonists rejected the empire
Turning Point
Battle of Saratoga: Oct. 1777 A Revolutionary Army Victory that
signified that America had a chance in actually winning the War.
France openly acknowledged the former colonies as the New American States and sent aid in large quantities.
Marquis de Lafayette: French General from the French and India War joins Washington and helped train patriot forces.
British Invade the South
British expected Loyalist support in the SouthNorth CarolinaSouth CarolinaGeorgia
British made poor decisions
The British win early victories
Similar to the North – British won majority of battles on the Coastline in the South
1778 – Seized Savannah, Georgia1780 – Captured Charleston, South
Carolina and 5,000 patriot soldiersBut… British failed to control the Southern
countryside
Patriots drive the British back
October 1780 – Kings Mountain South Carolina Patriot armies devastated Loyalist militias – took prisoners Neutral civilians swing support to Patriots
Early 1781 – Continental Army inflicted heavy losses to British at: Battle of Cowpens in South Carolina Battle of Guilford Courthouse in North Carolina
Changed momentum of the WarCornwallis marched his troops to Yorktown into a trap
War Ends
Four factors contributed to the winning of the war British made tactical mistakes – underestimated the
Patriots (Guerilla Warfare) British misunderstood the political nature of conflict Patriots were highly motivated and benefited from G.
Washington’s leadership Patriots received assistance from France
Cornwallis Surrenders
Summer of 1781 – Washington marched his troops south
Washington wanted to trap the Redcoats at Yorktown, Virginia
Washington needed help from FranceFrance’s navy blocked British navy from entering
Chesapeake BayCornwallis was trapped at Yorktown, Virginia
http://youtu.be/jvGAE1JcGV4
Treaty of Paris - 1783
Seven years of fighting – British public was fed up with casualties and tax
Treaty of Paris Recognized American independence Granted generous boundaries to the United States
Ben Franklin secured more territory than the Patriots had won
Relations with France became strained
Treaty of Paris - 1783
Revolution Impacts Society – British abandon their allies
Loyalists & SlavesBritish tried to protect their Loyalist alliesState laws and mob violence prevented
Loyalists from returning homeRoughly 90,000, including 20,000 fugitive
slaves, became refugeesSlaves became re-enslaved in West Indies
North American After the Treaty of Paris
Revolution Impacts Society
Native Americans Ignored by Treaty of ParisNative Americans were forced to give up
massive tracts of landRevolution was a disaster to Indians
Revolution Impacts Women
Women gained few political/legal rights from war
Gained respect – seen as “republican mothers”Republic needed virtuous citizens – learned
from their mothersWomen looked to have more rights when
creating new nationWomen could not vote or own property
Changes for African Americans
Slavery – inconsistent with ideals of the Revolution
Slavery was accepted as the “norm”Some spoke out against slaveryRevolution – inspired slaves to demand
freedomSlaves joined in on the war effort
Changes for African Americans
Revolution led to emancipation in North Slavery was not needed for economy
Northern slave owners sold slaves to the SouthSlaves – essential to planation economyManumission – voluntarily freeing of slavesSouthern whites feared freed blacks would seek
revenge
Revolutionary Ideas Spread
“All men are created equal” – used by African Americans and women when fighting for equal rights
American Revolution inspired revolution in France and Latin America
20th century – Africans and Asians began national liberation movement
American Revolution – changed the world