American Revolution after the Declaration of Independence

After July 4, 1776

Battle Battle of Trenton1776

A. General Howe (British) pushed the Continental Army out of New York, across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania

1. Howe stopped chasing to spend the winter in the warmth and comfort of New York

2. He set up garrisons in New Jersey – small military camps

3. George Washington had about 2400 troops – in desperate need of supplies

Battle of Trenton cont.

B. December 25, 1776 – Washington crossed the Delaware River to attack a small garrison guarded by 900 Hessians. Very cold, high winds, ice in the river

C. December 26 – marched into the camp and Hessians caught by surprise and surrendered - all 900

Results of Battle of Trenton

1. Boosted morale of the Continental Army

2. Secured Washington’s reputation as a leader

3. Gained much needed supplies

D. January 3, 1777 – Captured another garrison at Princeton, New Jersey

Battle of Saratoga (Turning Point)

A. British plan in June 1777 for 3 forces to meet in Albany, New York. They hoped to divide the colonies and then conquer them one –by-one

Plan Failed1. Army coming from Lake Ontario was pushed back by militias

2. General Howe went to Philadelphia instead

3. General John Burgoyne and 7000 troops marched slowly south from Canada. The slow march enabled bands of militias to fire at his men. He lost over 1000 redcoats along the way.

B. October 17, 1777

1. Militia outnumbered the redcoats

2. Burgoyne had to surrender 3. Results: A. France recognizes America’s independence

B. France sends supplies and money

C. France declares war on England

Valley Forge – Winter of 1777-1778

A. Washington and Continental Army pushed back by Howe.

1. Decided to stay the winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

2. Very harsh winter: No food, not enough clothes (cold), no money

3. 2500 died - hunger, disease, and cold

Valley Forge Cont. B. Women (led by Martha

Washington) – tried to relieve the suffering

Cooked, sewed uniforms, made bandages and nursed the sick

C. many troops simply went home

1. there was fear of mutiny

2. they started out with 11,000 troops

3. they left Valley Forge with 4,000

Baron Friedrich von Stueban – Feb. 1778

1. German military advisor

2. Drilled and trained the troops with strict discipline

June 19, 1778 – army left better trained and prepared to fight

Whatever won’t kill you will only make you stronger!!!

Foreign Aid

A. France – 1. After Saratoga, extended

aid to America2. June 1777 – declared war

on England3. Sent – money, gun powder,

muskets, troops, ships, etc.4. Lafayette – 19 years old –

made a general

Foreign Aid Cont.

B. Germany – Baron von Steuban – drill master

C. Poland, Holland, and Spain also helped America

Battle of Yorktown - 1781

British General Cornwallis had to retreat and decided to set camp on the peninsula of Yorktown in Virginia

(Peninsula – land surrounded by water on 3 sides)

2. He was hoping for supplies from a British ship

Battle of Yorktown Cont.3. When the Continental Army

(Washington) heard of where Cornwallis was , they rushed to the scene

4. 16,000 American and French troops cornered Cornwallis and French ships sail in from behind and prevent a water retreat.

Cornwallis could only surrender his army of 6000

The war was over.

Treaty of Paris 1783

1. officially ended the war

2. set America’s boundaries as:

The Mississippi River to the Great Lakes and Canada, to Spanish Florida