Struggling Toward Saratoga

Chapter 4 Section 2

Do Now: Trivia: What was the first capital of the US.

Obj: Trace Progress of war through the turning point

at Saratoga Examine the colonial economy and civilian life

during the Revolution HW:

Active Read 4.4 and Critical Thinking #3

Valley Forge

Trenton

Saratoga

Inflation

Profiteering

VOCAB

March 1776 – British move troops out of

Boston

Want to move war to Middle States

Attempt to end “rebellion” by isolating New England

British move to attack NYC…

British War Strategy

Defeat in New York

British British Gen. William and

Admiral Richard Howe send 32,000 men into New York Harbor Combine British soldiers

and Hessian (German mercenaries)

Largest British force EVER assembled!

American Washington has 23,000

men to defend NYC Vastly outnumbered

Men untrained with poor equipment

Americans retreat in August of 1776

Washington left with 8,000 who’s enlistment was soon up….he needed a victory!!!

Washington had been pushed back into PA Washington takes calculated risk and attacks

Trenton on Christmas day 2,400 of his men in small row boats cross the

Delaware River into NJ Surprise Hessian troops; who were still drunk

from the night before and capture 918 men and 6 cannons 8 days later Americans defeat 1,200 British @

Princeton Moral victories that helped keep the “cause”

going…

The Battle of Trenton

Isolate New England

Burgoyne’s Plan Against the Americans: Was to lead an army down

a route of lakes from Canada to Albany, where he would meet Howe’s troops as they arrived from NYC

Joint forces would isolate New England from the rest of the colonies

However; Howe would never meet Burgoyne in NYC….

Victory at Saratoga

Under Burgoyne’s Command: 4,000 redcoats, 3,000

mercenaries, 1,000 Mohawk

Bad Luck: Food supplies ran low Clashing with Americans

caused Burgoyne to lose many men

Howe was preoccupied with conquering and occupying Philadelphia that he wasn’t coming to meet him

Surrender at Saratoga: Massed American troops

surrounded Burgoyne Burgoyne surrendered his

army to General Gates Surrender dramatically

changed Britain’s war strategy:

British kept their troops along the coast

Close to the big guns, and supply bases of their fleet

The French were still bitter about the British

defeating them in the French and Indian War Secretly sending weapons to the Patriots since

the previous year Saratoga victory supported their trust in the

American Army French recognized the American independence

and signed an alliance, or treaty of cooperation, in February 1778

Turning Point

Winter at Valley Forge Washington’s struggles:

Awaiting the French aid Washington and his men were struggling to stay alive during the cold winter with primitive conditions

Soldiers suffered from frostbite

Surgeons worked constantly to try to save arms and limbs from amputation

2,000 men died

What country were the Hessian mercenaries

from? Germany

What was the “turning point” in the American Revolution? Battle of Saratoga

What river did Washington cross to attack the British at Trenton? Delaware River

POP QUIZ