the american revolutionary war (1775-1781)
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The American Revolutionary War (1775-1781). British Advantages Over the Americans. Brits had greater numbers of troops. 48,000 British soldiers + 30,000 Hessians Americans had no standing army. Brits had an organized navy. Brits were used to American soil. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The American Revolutionary War (1775-1781)
British Advantages Over the AmericansA. Brits had greater numbers of
troops. 48,000 British soldiers +
30,000 Hessians Americans had no
standing army.
B. Brits had an organized navy.
C. Brits were used to American soil.
D. The Brits had no European wars going on at this time.
E. About 1/3 of the people in America were loyal Tories
Issues for the British
A. LogisticsB. Would population go for a long war?
A. No new taxes – however, that would come with war
B. Many said good riddance to the colonies
Organization of American Military Effort Washington chosen to lead. Why?
Good commander He’s from Virginia
Colonial militias provide foundation Many were French-Indian War
vets. Asked men to enlist for 1 yr terms.
Outbreak of War - 1775
Lexington/Concord: April, 1775 Ft. Ticonderoga: May 1775 Bunker Hill: June,1775 Quebec: Dec, 1775
War in 1776 Boston abandoned, March 1776 British troops first arrive June,
1776 New York is captured by British,
Aug- Sept 1776 Plan was to split the colonies –
control the Hudson River Warm water port (didn’t freeze
in winter) Nathan Hale, Sept 1776
By late 1776, Washington’s army went from 23,000 men to 7,000
American victory at Trenton, Dec 1776
Delaware Crossing
War in 1777 –the 3 Pronged Attack 3 British armies
Howe – NYC – north to Albany
St. Leger – Montreal - SW to Lake Ontario then east to Albany
Burgoyne – Montreal – South to Albany
Cut off New England
Results of 3 Pronged Attack
What happened Howe attacks
Philadelphia St. Leger was defeated at
Oriskany Burgoyne defeated at
Saratoga, Oct 1777 Turning Point of the War Why?
Treaties with French – Spring 1778 Treaty of Amity and Commerce
French recognize American Independence Establish trade ties
Treaty of Alliance Established a military alliance Neither France nor America would negotiate a
separate peace treaty with the Brits. France declared war – June, 1778.
Valley Forge Dec 1777 – June 1778 Winter encampment outside
Philly No food, disease, freezing
temps Positives
Nathaniel Greene will find food as commissary officer
Lafayette Von Steuben American army
transforms into a mature army
Benedict Arnold
Arnold denied promotion Congress failed to reimburse
him for expenses from the Quebec campaign
He was court-martialed for failure to perform his duties
This left him bitter and desperate for money
Betrayal West Point John Andre
Entering the Southern Phase - 1779 Hoped to find
loyalists in South Shifted focus in
1779 Brits take Charleston,
SC in 1780 The South was much
more of a patriot v. loyalist (Tories) fight
British army chases Americans who use hit and run tactics
Battle of Cowpens Tarleton v. Morgan
Problems on Both Sides
Neither side could sustain a war much longer.
American issues 1780-81 Can’t pay troops Desertions, decline in recruiting Army disintegrating
B. British Issues 1780-81 Too expensive to fight Civil War brewing: Protestants and
Catholics
Yorktown – Oct 1781 Cornwallis camps on
peninsula French fleet in West Indies
(led by DeGrasse). Washington & Rochambeau
from NY Lafayette from Maryland French blockaded Yorktown. Washington laid siege to the
town - 7 days Cornwallis surrendered
Treaty of Paris Treaty of Paris (1783)
Brits and Americans work out their own deal
Terms The Brits…
recognize American Independence evacuate American territory east of the
Mississippi. return confiscated slaves.
American had to… Pay pre-war debts Stop confiscating loyalist property
Newburgh Conspiracy The government was broke
Officers threaten to revolt Officers offer to support Washington in a coup, but Washington refuses Payouts are not completed until 1820 "Gentleman, you must pardon me, for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in
service to my country."