The American War for Independence (1776-1783)

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The American War for Independence (1776-1783)

• These are the times that try mens souls
• -Thomas Paine, 1780

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War European Tactics (1700s)

• Great Britain -rules of gentlemanly warfare
• No attacking at night,
• No sneak attacks
• Mercenaries were common
• Soldiers lowly regarded in British society

British Redcoats
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War American Tactics (1700s)

• Colonial warfare based on style of Natives
• Skulking style of war included sneak attacks,
  adjustments
• Hid behind walls, no uniforms, ambushed enemies
• Local militias

American militia
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Colonial Soldier
British Redcoat
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Continental Army

• Created by George Washington
• Fought alongside various state militias
• Provided Washington with better idea of soldiers
  capabilities and length of service
• (1 year)
• Washingtons greatest accomplishment of the war

Infantry training
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Leaders of the Revolution
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Revolutionary Leaders

• 1- George Washington- leader of Continental Army
• 2- William Howe- head of British army in 1776
• 3- John Burgoyne- defeated at Saratoga
• 4- Lord Cornwallis- surrendered British army at
  Yorktown
• 5- Benedict Arnold- switched from American to
  British after Saratoga
• 6- Nathaneal Greene- RI native, Washingtons top
  field general

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Opening Moves!

• British to seize NY
• 1776 Howes troops drive Washington out of NY
• Washington and troops again driven from Manhattan
  to White Plains
• NY becomes the British headquarters for the war!!

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Opening Moves Cont

• British begin to move onto Philly where the
  Continental Congress was meeting!
• Washingtons troops get word of this
• THREE BATTLESgtgtgtgtgt
• Battle of TRENTON
• Saratoga
• Yorktown

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1. Battle of Trenton

• December, 1776 Washington plans surprise attack
  of Hessian camp at Trenton, NJ.
• December 25 Washington attacks on Christmas
  night, kills/captures 1,000 men
• 3 days later defeat of British at Princeton, NJ
  forces British to return to NY for winter

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Results of Battle of Trenton

• Soldiers encouraged to re-enlist
• Morale of army shot up
• Washington showcased leadership skills
• 2nd Guessing Why did Howe not deal knock-out
  blow in NY?

Washington crossing the Delaware River on his way
to Trenton
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2. Saratoga France Enters

• 1777- British capture Philadelphia, Continental
  Congress escapes
• Valley Forge- winter of 1777-78 nearly 2,500
  American soldiers die from cold, food shortages
• October 1777- Gen. Burgoynes troops captured
  outside Saratoga, NY
• Result France enters war

Marquis de Lafayette
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3. Yorktown, 1781 War in the South

• 1778- British turn to South
• Savannah, GA and Charlestown, SC fell to British
• Battle of Kings Mountain- victory for Patriots!!!
• British surrender at Yorktown (1781)

Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, VA
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Treaty of Paris (1783)

• British recognized USA as a new nation!!!!
• Mississippi River is western border (open to
  British use)
• Florida given back to Spain!!
• France received colonies in Africa and Caribbean

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Other Contributors to Revolution

• Women- cooking, nursing of soldiers, taking
  control of family business, spies
• African-Americans- British/Americans offered
  freedom in exchange for military service (5,000
  for America)
• Loyalists- remained loyal to Britain, in some
  cases fled or lost land

Molly Pitcher helping colonial soldiers
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Effects of Revolution

• New political ideas (republic)
• New state constitutions (guarantee of rights)
• Voting rights expand (social class)
• Freedom of religion
• Educational changes
• American painters

First flag of the United States
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Why did Britain lose the war???

• Atlantic Ocean
• Tried to occupy a whole continent
• American perseverance, fighting spirit
• George Washington, other generals
• French aid
• War unpopular in Britain

HMMMM