Trenton PrincetonSaratoga

Valley Forge

Explain the events that led to American Victory in the Revolution.

Washington retreats through New York, New Jersey, and into Pennsylvania.

Benedict Arnold loses battle at Lake Champlain, but slows down British forces.

ü Hessians take Ft. Washington.ü Cornwallis takes Ft. Lee from

Nathaniel Greene.ü Many continental soldiers'

enlistments end at the end of the year.

Pressure mounting to take action...

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Washington knows that he must attack the British at this time if his Continental Army is ever going to have a chance of winning the war.

He leads his men on a daring mission to take Trenton, NJ, from the Hessians who occupy it.

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Washington leads his men Christmas night to cross the Delaware River 9 miles from Trenton. "Stay close to your officers," he tells them. That brave the snow, ice, and sleet mixed with rain to ambush the Hessians. They kill 100 and capture 900 more.They retrace their path across the river and return to Trenton on the 29th to establish a defensive stronghold.

Knowing that Cornwallis was closing in, he ordered the men to leave their campfires burning, and he left 500 men to use their picks in the icy ground to cover their retreat.By 2AM, Washington's troops were gone. When Cornwallis arrived a few hours later, the camp was empty, and Washington was taking Princeton.

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Significance of Trenton and Princeton

Morale boost

Cornwallis abandoned most of New Jersey

Some started to believe they could win the war

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After wintering at Morristown, NJ, 1777 has mixed results.

http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/revwartimeline.htm

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Burgoyne's plan is to come down from Canada to Albany and join with other British forces to dominate the Hudson River, controlling trade, and cutting off New England from the other colonies

Problems with the plan:

ü Benedict Arnold slows him down by putting obstacles in his path.

ü Howe has occupied Philadelphia, and he is not on his way to help.

ü Supplies are getting low.ü Gates has enough time to get the high ground at Bemis

Heights.

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http://www.eduplace.com/kids/socsci/books/applications/imaps/maps/g5s_u4/index.html

Saratoga becomes the turning point of the war as Burgoyne surrenders his troops to Gates.

This battle convinces the French that the Continental Army can win the war, so they openly support and become allies with America.

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While Howe and his men relax at Philadelphia for the winter, Washington and his men move to high ground about 18 miles away at Valley Forge, PA.

Problems at Valley Forge:ü Not enough bread and meatü Not enough proper

clothing or blanketsü Not enough suppliesü Typhus, Pneumonia, and

Dysentery claimed about 2,000 lives

ü Junior officers vying for power

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Baron Von Steuben drills the soldiers during the long stay. They come out more confident and ready to take on the British Army.

Battle of will, rather than a military battle

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Hessians attacked them

Soldiers were nearing end of enlistment

British already had control of NY and NJ

They were able to use element of surprise

Which of the following is NOT a reason that Washington attacked Trenton?

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Greater morale for Continental Army

French give full support

Americans win the war

British win the war

What was a result of the battles of Trenton and Princeton?

learning goal

They attacked the British at Trenton, then left.

They attacked the British in their sleep.

They made the British think they were still there

They did not escape.

How did Washington's forces escape to take Princeton?

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France became an open ally

Continentals began to think they could win.

Burgoyne surrended many British troops.

All of the above.

Why was Saratoga the turning point?

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Dysentery and other disease

lack of proper clothing

regular soldiers did not respect Washington

cramped, crowded, and cold

Which of the following was NOT a problem at Valley Forge?