CHAPTER 7-1 THE AMERICANS SUPPORT 40-45% colonists were Patriots Native Americans who lived near and interacted with the Americans 5000 African Americans served in the army Women- followed camps, cooked, did laundry, were nurses African Americans in the American Revolution Owners were afraid slaves who had guns would lead slave revolts, so few states allowed them to enlist Women and the American Revolution Mary Hays ("Molly Pitcher") carried water to soldiers during battle and Deborah Sampson dressed as a man, enlisted, and fought in several engagements Deborah in Combat LEADERS GEORGE WASHINGTON Leader of the Continental Army BENEDICT ARNOLD Marquis de Lafayette Horatio Gates Washingtons Strategy SURVIVE! KEEP AN ARMY ON THE FIELD WIN BATTLES AVOID DEFEAT He avoids situations that might destroy his army. His leadership kept army together event when defeat seemed inevitable. ARMY Inexperienced- little training! LACKED SUPPLIES BLANKETS, FOOD, WEAPONS Congress inability to provide these supplies angered Washington. MANY DIDNT STAY LONG WASHINGTON NEVER HAD MORE THAN 17,000 MEN IN THE ARMY (Congress did not require men to serve long terms in the service) LOW MORALE THOMAS PAINE WROTE THE AMERICAN CRISIS NEED A VICTORY Struggle for New York Conflict After forcing the British out of Boston (chapter 6). Washington hurried to New York. Several months later British troops arrived. The British and the American armies fought for New York state for several months. Results Finally, the British forced Washington to retreat through New Jersey. The American army was in terrible condition!! Thomas Paine witnessed the soldiers low spirits on the retreat and the hard condtions. He wrote a series of pamphlets called The American Crisis to urge them to keep fighting Washingtons retreat These are the time that try mens souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink form the service of their country; but he that stands it NOW, serves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. -excerpt from The American Crisis Things get better: BATTLE OF TRENTON DECEMBER 25, 1776 WASHINGTON SURPRISED THE HESSIANS AND WON! (German troops paid to fight for the British) THEY WERE SLEEPY DUE TO THEIR CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION Results: MORE THAN 900 HESSIAN CASULATIES PATRIOTS GAINED A MORALE BOOST AND MUCH NEEDED SUPPLIES Washington and his troops crossed the icy Delaware River to New Jersey Washington's army won a battle at Princeton 8 days later. Result- his army began to attract new recruits! Date: January 3rd, 1777 Location: Princeton, New Jersey Weather: ~28`F; clear; windy American Casualties: 40 British Casualties: 86 American Leaders: Sullivan/Hand/Mercer British Leaders: Col. Mawhood THE BRITISH SUPPORT 20% OF AMERICANS WERE LOYALISTS NATIVE AMERICANS WHO FEARED THAT IF THE AMERICANS WON THE WAR- THEY(AMERICANS) WOULD TAKE NATIVE AMERICAN LAND AFRICAN AMERICANS A BRITISH GOVERNOR OFFERED FREEDOM TO THOSE WHO WOULD ENLIST LEADERS GENERAL GEORGE BURGOYNE GENERAL HOWE LT. COLONEL ST. LEGER LORD CORNWALLIS British Generals: Burgoyune (left) and Howe ARMY GREATEST ARMY IN THE WORLD (AT THIS TIME) DID NOT THINK THE AMERICAN ARMY WOULD LAST STRATEGY OCCUPY COSTAL CITIES (so the navy could land troops and supplies) USE HESSIAN MERCENARIES SEIZE THE HUDSON RIVER THIS WOULD CUT OFF NEW ENGLAND FROM THE REST OF THE COLONIES IN ORDER TO DO THIS, 3 ARMIES WOULD RENDEVOUS AT ALBANY, NEW YORK Howe a no-show Burgoyne expected to meet up with Lt. Colonel St. Ledger and General Howe at Albany New York (rendezvous). Burgoyne received a letter from Howe that he would not be coming because he decided to invade Philadelphia. Howe did defeat but did not capture Washington in Pennsylvania at the Battle of Brandywine. Howe then occupied Pennsylvania. At the same time Burgoyne received Howes letter.. St. Ledger was trying to defeat a small American force at Fort Stanwix in the Mohawk River valley of New York. Benedict Arnold wanted to chase Lt. Col. St. Ledger and the British away from the fort, so he sent Iroquois allies to spread a rumor that a large American army was coming. St. Ledgers army immediately fled. NO ONE WAS LEFT TO RENDEZVOUS WITH BURGOYNE! Benedict Arnold and Lt. Col. St. Ledger Battle of Saratoga Benedict Arnold forced British Troops led by General Burgoyne to retreat to a former army camp at Saratoga. The Continental Army fired on Burgoynes men day and night. Burgoyne was eventually forced to surrender! Battles of Saratoga Map of British retreat (red+=British) As Benedict Arnold rode around the battlefield like a madman, he was shot in the leg. BENEDICT ARNOLD- FELT CONGRESS DID NOT REWARD HIM ENOUGH FOR HIS ACTIONS AT SARATOGA. MARRIES A LOYALIST AND BECOMES BITTER, EVENTUALLY TRIES TO BETRAY THE ARMY CAUSED EUROPEAN NATIONS TO THINK THAT THE AMERICANS MIGHT WIN THE REVOLUTION. THIS EVENT CASUED EUROPEAN NATIONS, SUCH AS FRANCE, TO SUPPORT THE AMERICANS.