The American Revolution

RememberThe British had a very powerful army. One reason was because they had the money to hire German mercenaries. A mercenary is a soldier paid to fight for another county.

American Strengths and WeaknessesTLW (The Learner Will):Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the British and Continental armies.Explain George Washingtons role in the war.Identify the roles of women and African Americans during the Revolutionary War.Building BackgroundThe Americans and the British both expected the war to end quickly. Instead, it took eight years! During that time, the Continental Army suffered great hardships. Peoples lives changed. Merchants, farmers, and craftworkers left their families to join the army.Women kept farms and businesses running.Some colonists joined the army as cooks and servants.Some colonists raised money, sewed clothes for soldiers, and nursed the wounded.

Treaty of ParisAlthough the war dragged on for more than two more years, the Battle of Yorktown was the last major battle of the war.The British people did not support the war anymore.In 1782, the British government began peace talks with the Americans.

The Redcoats (British) ContinuedThe British did have some disadvantages.The war was not popular in Great Britain.Many people in Britain didnt want to pay taxes needed to fight the war.It was slow and costly to fight a war across the Atlantic Ocean thousands of miles away.

5QUIZ TIMETrue or falseA mercenary is a person forced against their will to fight against their own country.TRUEFALSEWAY TO GO! HIGH FIVE!

PatriotsWEAKNESSESThe colonies entered the war without an army or navy unlike the British.Getting men to serve and to stay was a huge problem.Many quit because they often went without pay, food, uniforms, and weapons.

Patriots ContinuedSTRENGTHSThe Continental soldiers were defending their homes, which gave them the will to keep on fighting.Unlike the British who were new to the colonies, the Americans knew the land.

QUIZ TIMEWhich choice wasnt a STRENGTH for the Patriots?State of the art weapons.The Continental soldiers were defending their homes.The Americans knew the land.Correct! Youre so MONEY!

George WashingtonWhile in the Virginia Militia, Washington saw how the British operated.He learned soldiers from the colonies were paid less to fight for the British than soldiers in the regular British army.During the French and Indian War, the British lowered Colonel Washingtons rank because they did not want colonists to rise above captain.

QUIZ TIMEThink about a time you were treated unfairly. How might Britains treatment of Washington during the French and Indian War have affected his choice to join the Patriots?Washington disliked the French and the Indians.Washington experienced firsthand the unjust treatment of colonists by the British.Women ContinuedMary Ludwig Hays-Carried water for the soldiers. (Molly Pitcher)Margaret Corbin- Took over her dead husbands cannon and fought the British until she was wounded.Deborah Sampson-Disguised herself as a man and fought soldiers.Ester DeBerdt Reed-Formed a committee to go door to door asking women to contribute money for the soldiers. QUIZ TIMEMolly PitcherWas George Washingtons wifeCarried water for the soldiersWas a spy for the BritishNice WorkPat Yourself on the Back!

African American Soldiers and Patriot Spies ContinuedWashington was very clever when it came to spying on the British.Haym Salomon- A spy that spoke several different languages including German. He spoke with the German soldiers, urging them to leave the British army.

Quiz TimeHaym SalomonWas a spy who urged German soldiers to leave the British armyWas a slave who fought for the British armyRock On! Youre right!

From Defeat to VictoryTLW:Analyze the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Philadelphia, Saratoga, and Fort Vincennes.Examine the hardships suffered at Valley Forge.Identify the effects on the Patriots of victories, defeats, songs, and traitors. Building BackgroundThe war went badly for the Patriots in 1776. That winter, Washington and his small army stood between the British and Philadelphia. Food and ammunition were in short supply. I think the game is pretty near up, the tired commander wrote.

Battle of TrentonBritish General William Howe ordered his troops into winter quarters in Trenton, Princeton, and other New Jersey towns. Washington knew that the British wouldnt fight until spring.He planned a surprise attack!At night on Christmas December 25, 1776, Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware River into New Jersey.The next morning, they surprised the British and took more than 900 prisoners.Battle of Trenton ContinuedA week later, British troops advanced toward Trenton to retake it. However, during the night of January 2, 1777, Washingtons troops silently marched past British forces. The next morning, they took Princeton.Washington now had control of almost all of New Jersey. He began to rebuild his army.Quiz TimeThink back to times you used ingenuity (creative problem solving). Which is an example of Washingtons ingenuity.Washington began to build his army in MorristownWashington was hopeful for the futureWashington knew the British wouldnt fight until spring so he planned a surprise attack.Egggcellent!!!

Victory at SaratogaThe British planned to cut off New England and New York from the rest of the colonies.British general John Burgoyne decided the best way was to capture the Hudson River Valley.

The American Forces were ready.Cannons were placed on a high cliff overlooking the road to Albany.Local farmers with excellent shooting skills volunteered.Burgoyne reached Saratoga, New York on September 19, 1777 and was greatly outnumbered.Burgoyne surrendered on October 17, 1777.France was convinced to openly support the Americans by signing the Treaty of Alliance.

Quiz TimeWhy was the victory at Saratoga a turning point for the Patriots?It showed that American forces could defeat a large British forceIt convinced France to support the Americans by signing the Treaty of AllianceBoth above choicesNice!

The Americans GainIn 1778, George Rogers Clark of the Continental army captured several forts from the British including Fort Vincennes.For the most part, the few ships in the American navy had little effect but they were tough ships with tough crews that didnt surrender!

Quiz TimeDescribe the condition of the Continental army at Valley Forge.Sick, lacking clothing and supplies, hardly any foodStrong, plenty of supplies, well-fedCha-Ching!

The American RevolutionThe War EndsTLW:Analyze the causes and effects of the Battle of Yorktown.Summarize the results of the Treaty of Paris.Discuss the effect of the Patriot victory over the Loyalists.Build BackgroundIn 1779, Spain joined the war on the Patriots side. Spanish Louisiana governor, Bernardo de Galvez, opened up the port of New Orleans to American ships and ended trade with Britain.

British Advance in the SouthIn 1780, British forces landed near Charles Town, South Carolina.They slowly closed in on the city, trapping the 5, 500 Patriot defenders.Almost the entire Southern army was lost.By spring of 1781, British commander Charles Cornwallis said he was tired of chasing Patriot General Nathanael Green and his men.Victory at YorktownCornwallis asked servant James Armistead to spy on the Americans. Little did he know, Armistead was already spying for them.Armistead told the Patriots about Cornwalliss plans and gave Cornwallis false information.Washington was able to trick Cornwallis into thinking he was going to attack New York.Instead, more than 17, 000 American and French soldiers surrounded York town. French warships blocked the harbor.Cornwallis surrendered to Washington and the French on October 19, 1781.

Quiz TimeIn the case of James Armistead, how is being a traitor a good thing?It proves that all people should be sneakySometimes you have to do what it takes for a cause you believe inYee Haw! Right on Cowboy!

Treaty of Paris ContinuedThe Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783.It recognized the independence of the United States.The land west of the Appalachians became part of the United States.Florida, which had come under control of the British, was returned to Spain.After the war, nearly 100,000 Loyalists fled the United States for Canada and Europe.

Quiz Time What do you think were the goals of France and Spain in deciding to help the Patriots?England was a common enemyThey had territory in North America and probably wanted moreThey could look to the Americans if they needed helpAll of the aboveFINISH LINE!