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. Logistics

B. 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."