History Alive Notes Chapter 7

American Colonies declared independence in 1776 … but they

had to fight a long hard battle

(7.2) 1. List American Weaknesses:

•Soldiers only enlisted for a short period of time•Not well trained and Shortage of men•Lacked the power to be able to raise money•Low on food, supplies, uniforms•Left foot prints behind•Gun powder shortage

(7.2) 2. List American Strengths:• Got ships and soldiers from overseas (French –

at the end of the war)• French gave them gun powder• George Washington – well respected and

trained

(7.3) Three British Strengths:• The British Army had 50,000 soldiers, reinforced

by 30,000 Hessian mercenaries(professional soldiers hired to fight), as well as Loyalists, Native Americans, and African Americans.

• British soldiers were well trained and experienced, compared to the Americans.

• British forces were well supplied with food, uniforms, ammunition, and weapons.

(7.3) Two British Weaknesses:

• Sending troops and supplies from Britain to America was slow and costly.

• The British were scared of stories of cannibalistic colonists.

• The British were not passionate about defeating the rebels.

• They had poor military leadership.

(7.4) Britain Almost Wins the War

1. Why did the Declaration of Independence increase Americans’ motivation to fight and win the war?

• They wanted to win their freedom• Freedom was a goal worth fighting

for

(7.4) Britain Almost Wins the War 2. For which group of Americans did the Declaration

of Independence raise hopes as well as questions? Why?

• It raised hope for African Americans• African Americans thought that “all men are

created equal” applied to them• They thought slavery might end

(7.4) Britain Almost Wins the War 3. What factors allowed the British to almost win the

war in 1776?• Battle of New York City… Britain troops

overwhelmed the inexperienced the colonial army.

• The greater number of troops and superior training!!

(7.5) A Pep talk and Surprise Victories

1. In your own words, what was the message of Thomas Paine’s pamphlet The Crisis?• It was written to motivate the

Americans to fight for what they believed in, even though they are in hard times or struggling.

(7.5) A Pep talk and Surprise Victories

2. How were the Americans able to win such can overwhelming victory at Trenton?• Washington had the troops rowed

across the Delaware River on Christmas.

• By surprising the Hessians while they were asleep

George Washington …

(7.5) A Pep talk and Surprise Victories

3. How did victories at Trenton and Princeton affect American morale (or how they feel/ their spirits)?• It gave them the confidence that

they needed to fight.

The Crisis by Thomas Paine

These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and women…

(7.6) The Tide Begins to Turn

1. As the was progresses, how did Washington revise his military strategy?

• He was trying to avoid big battles that might wipe out his whole army.

• Defensive War Tactic

(7.6) The Tide Begins to Turn

2. Why did the American cause the look more hopeful after the Battle of Saratoga?

• The colonists won the battle and now people believed that they could possibly win

(7.6) The Tide Begins to Turn4. The teacher tells the Blue team that they do

not have to capture the Red flag to win. Instead they must keep the Red team from capturing the Blue flags, just like…

• Washington saying he was going to fight a defensive war – attempting to tire out the British

(7.7) The War goes South page 96

1. What tactics did the Americans use successfully against the British in the Southern Colonies?

• Defensive Strategy or Guerilla Tactics (like hit and run raids)

2.How did the success of the Continental Army in the Couth contribute to the American victories?

• The British were tired of fighting the colonists and eventually forced the British to retreat to Yorktown.

Battle map of Yorktown

(7.7) The War goes South3. How did the French help the Americans in the

Battle of Yorktown?• The French went over into the Chesapeake Bay.

French troops and ships helped to win the war. 4. The teachers adds a third Blue flag. This makes it

harder for the Red team to win, just like… • The Americans used hit and run tactics in the

south to frustrate the British

(7.8) The War Ends1. How did the British people respond to news of

the Battle of Yorktown?• Most British were tired of the war. King

George did not want to accept defeat.

(7.8) The War Ends2. What were three key provisions of the

Treaty of Paris?• Britain recognized the United States as

independent• Britain gave up land from the Atlantic

coast to the Mississippi River • US gave rights and property from

Loyalist taken during the war