Chapter 7: The American Chapter 7: The American RevolutionRevolution

Section 3: The Path to VictorySection 3: The Path to Victory Section 4: The Legacy of the WarSection 4: The Legacy of the War

If the British weren’t having as If the British weren’t having as much success as they hoped in much success as they hoped in

the North…the North… They didn’t have They didn’t have

enough troops to enough troops to control the control the countryside and all countryside and all the militia / the militia / minutemen in the minutemen in the North.North.

They thought for They thought for sure they’d do well sure they’d do well in the South (the in the South (the believed many believed many southerners were southerners were loyalists).loyalists).

They also thought a They also thought a lot of slaves would lot of slaves would help them (if they help them (if they would promise them would promise them freedom)freedom)

During this war (as in any war), both sides During this war (as in any war), both sides had advantages and disadvantageshad advantages and disadvantages

and used and used military tactics (19)military tactics (19)

English AdvantagesEnglish Advantages

Had a better trained army.Had a better trained army. Had a better equipped army.Had a better equipped army. Had a good NavyHad a good Navy

American AdvantagesAmerican Advantages

They were fighting on their own They were fighting on their own land.land.

Fighting for a cause they believed Fighting for a cause they believed in.in.

Got help from France.Got help from France. Knew the most effective methods Knew the most effective methods

of fightingof fighting

English DisadvantagesEnglish Disadvantages

1/3 of Americans favored the 1/3 of Americans favored the revolution.revolution.

Not enough money to pay for all Not enough money to pay for all the soldiers supplies or food.the soldiers supplies or food.

Fighting 3000 miles from home.Fighting 3000 miles from home. Many English at home opposed Many English at home opposed

another war.another war.

American DisadvantagesAmerican Disadvantages

Poorly trained army.Poorly trained army. Most Indians helped the English.Most Indians helped the English. Some Colonists were loyalists Some Colonists were loyalists

Colonists on the British side Colonists on the British side during the revolutionduring the revolution

The big challenges in the south were going to be The big challenges in the south were going to be at Camden, South Carolina, and then at Charles at Camden, South Carolina, and then at Charles

TownTown

The British General in The British General in charge there was: charge there was: Lord Cornwallis (6/14)Lord Cornwallis (6/14)

At first, the Americans At first, the Americans did poorly – they were did poorly – they were out of supplies and half out of supplies and half starved.starved.

Colonists decided to Colonists decided to change their battle change their battle tactics.tactics.

American Patriots American Patriots decided to start using decided to start using guerilla (7/13)guerilla (7/13) tactics – tactics – and they carried out and they carried out vicious raids.vicious raids.Small groups of

fighters who use surprise raids, and “hit

and run” tactics

The Continental ArmyThe Continental Army

Did much better Did much better when the avoided when the avoided full scale battles full scale battles with the British. with the British.

The British had The British had superior training superior training and firepower.and firepower.

As the fighting dragged on into its 6As the fighting dragged on into its 6thth year… the “tide started to turn”year… the “tide started to turn”

Opposition to the Opposition to the war continued to war continued to grow in Britaingrow in Britain

Some British Some British leaders began to leaders began to think that think that American American independence independence might not be such might not be such a bad idea.a bad idea.

By now, Cornwallis was in By now, Cornwallis was in Yorktown (16),Yorktown (16), Virginia Virginia

Washington and the French Washington and the French had him trapped there.had him trapped there.

When Cornwallis’ supply ships When Cornwallis’ supply ships tried to reach him, French tried to reach him, French ships drove them back.ships drove them back.

American and French troops American and French troops bombarded Yorktown with bombarded Yorktown with cannon fire.cannon fire.

Cornwallis had no way out Cornwallis had no way out and was forced to surrender.and was forced to surrender.

The war was pretty much The war was pretty much …………………….…………………….OVEROVER

The Treaty of ParisThe Treaty of Paris (30)(30)(at the end of wars, both sides have meetings and come to some (at the end of wars, both sides have meetings and come to some

agreements)agreements)

1. The United States would be an

independent country

2. It’s new boundaries were established

3. The U.S. could fish off the coast of

Canada

4. Each side would pay the debts it owed to the other

side

5. Britain would return any captured and enslaved colonists

6. States should return any Loyalists property

to them

Costs of the WarCosts of the War

25,000 dead Americans25,000 dead Americans (Look at the chart on page (Look at the chart on page

213)213) 8,000 badly wounded8,000 badly wounded 10,000 British dead10,000 British dead Soldiers were left with no Soldiers were left with no

money – the did get some money – the did get some free land, but many sold it so free land, but many sold it so they could eat.they could eat.

America was left with a war America was left with a war debt of 27 million dollars.debt of 27 million dollars.

Up to 100,000 Loyalists left Up to 100,000 Loyalists left the country.the country.

And… the United States And… the United States now had some now had some decisions to make decisions to make about how to set up about how to set up their new country…their new country…

Next slideNext slide

They came up with an idea They came up with an idea called called Republicanism (49/58)Republicanism (49/58)

Government would Government would get its authority get its authority from the people and from the people and would be would be responsible to responsible to them.them.

But, for this to work, But, for this to work, people would have people would have to place national to place national interests above interests above their own interests.their own interests.

   

According to legend, on June 14, 1777 the first According to legend, on June 14, 1777 the first flag with 13 stars and 13 stripes was made by flag with 13 stars and 13 stripes was made by Betsy Ross. The Continental Congress agreed that Betsy Ross. The Continental Congress agreed that it should be used as the symbol of American it should be used as the symbol of American Freedom.  We now celebrate June 14th as Flag Freedom.  We now celebrate June 14th as Flag Day every year. Day every year.