Fighting for Liberty

Women in the Revolutionary War

• Women played a crucial role in the American Revolution. When their husbands went off to war, the Women took over extra responsibilities at home like planting and plowing the crops. Some women worked alongside their husbands at the front lines. They cared for the wounded, washed clothes, and cooked for the American soldiers.

A Few Noteworthy Women

• Some women like Mary Hays and Betsy Ross won worldwide fame. Betsy Ross is said to have sewn the first American flag, and Mary hays became famous when her husband got wounded and she took over loading and firing the cannons.

• Women were helping so much that it made them pause and think about their rights. Because of the war, many women gained more confidence and were willing to speak out for women’s rights.

African Americans Lend a Hand

• African Americans also fought in the war. At least 7,000 free black men served in the Continental Army. Many ran away from their American masters to fight with the British because the British promised freedom. Many others, though, were hoping that this war would end slavery altogether

Red Rover, Red Rover, Let Spain and the Indians Come Over

• A few battles did take place west of the Appalachian Mountains. The British were able to gain many Indian Allies by convincing them that the Americans were just going to steal more of their land.

• Spain came in on the side of the Americans in 1779.

• The Americans were building a small navy from ships that they were capturing on the high seas. The navy wasn’t big, but they did a good job of pestering the British navy.