Download How was it possible that American Patriots gained their

Chapter 7
The American
Revolution
Essential Question:
How was it possible that American Patriots gained their
independence from the powerful British Empire?
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Section 1
The Early Years of the
War
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Americans Divided
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Americans Divided
American society was divided over the
issue of separating from Britain.
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Americans Divided
American society was divided over the
issue of separating from Britain.
About 20-30% of Americans were
loyalists, 40-45% were Patriots, and the
rest were neutral
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Americans Divided
American society was divided over the
issue of separating from Britain.
About 20-30% of Americans were
loyalists, 40-45% were Patriots, and the
rest were neutral
New England and Virginia had many
Patriots
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Loyalists were numerous in cities, New York
State, and the South
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Loyalists were numerous in cities, New York
State, and the South
Judges, councilors, governors, clergy, and some
Quakers were active Loyalists.
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Loyalists were numerous in cities, New York
State, and the South
Judges, councilors, governors, clergy, and some
Quakers were active Loyalists.
Many Quakers were also pacifists (people
opposed to all war)
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Loyalists were numerous in cities, New York
State, and the South
Judges, councilors, governors, clergy, and some
Quakers were active Loyalists.
Many Quakers were also pacifists (people
opposed to all war)
Patriots drew support from Congregationalists,
Presbyterians, and Baptists
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Many Southern states did not allow
slaves to enlist for fear of revolt
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Many Southern states did not allow
slaves to enlist for fear of revolt
The British offered enslaved people their
freedom if they joined the British forces
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Many Southern states did not allow
slaves to enlist for fear of revolt
The British offered enslaved people their
freedom if they joined the British forces
Many slaves ran away to fight for the
British, but there were about 5,000
African Americans that served in the
Continental Army in the North
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All Native Americans east of the Mississippi were
caught up in the Revolution, making it the
largest Indian war in American history
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All Native Americans east of the Mississippi were
caught up in the Revolution, making it the
largest Indian war in American history
Native Americans were split between the British
and the colonists.
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Preparing for War
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Preparing for War
In June, 1775, Congress named George
Washington as commander of the
Continental Army
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Preparing for War
In June, 1775, Congress named George
Washington as commander of the
Continental Army
Initially, the army was made up militia
from the various states. They were
untrained, part-time, and were not truly
prepared for war.
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At the start of the war, Congress only asked
men to enlist for one year, and when the
soldier’s time was up, they went home
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At the start of the war, Congress only asked
men to enlist for one year, and when the
soldier’s time was up, they went home
As a result, Washington never had more than
17,000 men in his army, and it was never a
consistent group of men
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At the start of the war, Congress only asked
men to enlist for one year, and when the
soldier’s time was up, they went home
As a result, Washington never had more than
17,000 men in his army, and it was never a
consistent group of men
Soldiers also lacked blankets, food, and
sometimes even guns and ammunition
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Women helped the army by stepping in to cook,
do laundry, and serve as nurses to the sick and
wounded
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Women helped the army by stepping in to cook,
do laundry, and serve as nurses to the sick and
wounded
Some women disguised themselves so they could
help in the fight.
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Women helped the army by stepping in to cook,
do laundry, and serve as nurses to the sick and
wounded
Some women disguised themselves so they could
help in the fight.
Other women helped by managing farms and
businesses while men were off fighting
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Many British thought the Americans were so
disorganized that they would be easily defeated
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Many British thought the Americans were so
disorganized that they would be easily defeated
The British army had troubles of their own. For
personal and political reasons, many British
officers refused to fight the Americans, and
others simply did not support the war, so they
had trouble finding soldiers
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Many British thought the Americans were so
disorganized that they would be easily defeated
The British army had troubles of their own. For
personal and political reasons, many British
officers refused to fight the Americans, and
others simply did not support the war, so they
had trouble finding soldiers
British soldiers signed up for life, which
discouraged enlistment
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Because of these problems, the British had to hire
mercenaries (professional soldiers hired to fight
for a foreign country)
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Because of these problems, the British had to hire
mercenaries (professional soldiers hired to fight
for a foreign country)
The British mercenaries were called Hessians
because many came from the German region of
Hesse
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War in the Middle States
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War in the Middle States
In July 1776, Britain’s General Howe
arrived in New york with a large army
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War in the Middle States
In July 1776, Britain’s General Howe
arrived in New york with a large army
Americans were defeated at the Battle of
Long Island
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War in the Middle States
In July 1776, Britain’s General Howe
arrived in New york with a large army
Americans were defeated at the Battle of
Long Island
The fight to control New York went on
for months, until Washington was
forced to retreat through New Jersey
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After the retreat from New York, the American
army suffered from low spirits. Washington
knew he needed to attack the British quickly
before most of his soldiers’ enlistments expired
on 12/31
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After the retreat from New York, the American
army suffered from low spirits. Washington
knew he needed to attack the British quickly
before most of his soldiers’ enlistments expired
on 12/31
Late on 12/25/1776, Washington’s troops
crossed the Delaware into NJ and marched into
Trenton to surprise the Hessians
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The Americans captured or killed more than 900
Hessians and gained needed supplies
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The Americans captured or killed more than 900
Hessians and gained needed supplies
They won another victory 8 days later in
Princeton.
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The Americans captured or killed more than 900
Hessians and gained needed supplies
They won another victory 8 days later in
Princeton.
These victories proved Washington was better
than many had thought and the army began to
attract new recruits
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Britain’s Northern Strategy
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Britain’s Northern Strategy
The British began pursuing a strategy to take
over the Hudson River valley to cut off New
England from all other states
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Britain’s Northern Strategy
The British began pursuing a strategy to take
over the Hudson River valley to cut off New
England from all other states
The British believed New England was the source
of all rebellion
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The plan was for Gen. John Burgoyne to lead a
force south from Canada, while Lt. Col. Barry
St. Leger would come down the Mohawk valley
and Gen. Howe would follow the Hudson north
from NYC
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The plan was for Gen. John Burgoyne to lead a
force south from Canada, while Lt. Col. Barry
St. Leger would come down the Mohawk valley
and Gen. Howe would follow the Hudson north
from NYC
Burgoyne was known for throwing elaborate
parties after victories, but the Americans made it
difficult for him to be victorious.
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They would cut down trees to slow him down,
burn crops and drive away cattle, leaving no
food, and Burgoyne realized that they were not
just fighting an army, but a nation.
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They would cut down trees to slow him down,
burn crops and drive away cattle, leaving no
food, and Burgoyne realized that they were not
just fighting an army, but a nation.
Burgoyne was counting on the rendezvous with
Howe, only to find out Howe had changed his
plan and was going to attempt to take over
Philadelphia. This left Burgoyne short on
soldiers.
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While Burgoyne realized he could no longer rely
on Howe, he was not yet aware that St. Leger was
having a difficult time reaching Albany.
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While Burgoyne realized he could no longer rely
on Howe, he was not yet aware that St. Leger was
having a difficult time reaching Albany.
In August 1777, Benedict Arnold led an army
up the Mohawk River.
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While Burgoyne realized he could no longer rely
on Howe, he was not yet aware that St. Leger was
having a difficult time reaching Albany.
In August 1777, Benedict Arnold led an army
up the Mohawk River.
Arnold sent a captured Loyalist and some
Iroquois to spread the word that he had a large
army, and with this rumor, the British retreated
to Fort Oswego, leaving no one to meet Burgoyne
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Saratoga: A Turning Point
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Saratoga: A Turning Point
Burgoyne’s army was running out of
supplies, yet his army continued south
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Saratoga: A Turning Point
Burgoyne’s army was running out of
supplies, yet his army continued south
American Gen. Horatio Gates blocked
Burgoyne from entering into Saratoga,
NY, where earthen walls had been built
up
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Burgoyne still attempted to attack. Benedict
Arnold charged the British, trying to stop them
from gaining ground, and on 10/7, Burgoyne
was forced to retreat.
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Burgoyne still attempted to attack. Benedict
Arnold charged the British, trying to stop them
from gaining ground, and on 10/7, Burgoyne
was forced to retreat.
The Battles of Saratoga include the series of
conflicts that led to Burgoyne’s surrender
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Burgoyne still attempted to attack. Benedict
Arnold charged the British, trying to stop them
from gaining ground, and on 10/7, Burgoyne
was forced to retreat.
The Battles of Saratoga include the series of
conflicts that led to Burgoyne’s surrender
The victory at Saratoga was a turning point
because it prevented the British from dividing
the states and isolating New England
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It also showed the world that the
Americans may actually win their
battle for independence, which persuaded
some European nations, who were
already hostile toward Britain, to help
the colonists.
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