Lesson #11: The American Colonies’ Revolutionary War

Focus Questions

• Why was it not a wise idea for the Americans to declare independence from England?

• What was the Valley Forge encampment?• How did the French and Friedrich von Steuben

contribute to the final American Revolution victory?• How did Pennsylvania contribute to the American

Revolution?

Key Words• Loyalists• Moral• Encampment• Sanitation• Negotiate• Avenge

• New York City• New Jersey• Trenton, NJ• Washington Crossing

State Park, PA• Brandywine Battlefield

Park, PA• Valley Forge National

Historical Park, PA

Key Places

Key Events• American

Revolution• Battle of Trenton

• George Washington• Friedrich von Steuben• Ben Franklin• Anthony Wayne• Robert Morris• Haym Salomon• Samuel Witherill• Molly Pitcher• Sarah Bache• Betsy Ross

Key People

The Impact of the Declaration

• Declaring Independence is much different than actually having it– You can tell your parents you’re an adult now, but

really until you are actually making all of your own decisions are you?

• England did not think much of the colonies’ declaration at all and made it obvious the colonies would have to fight the American Revolution in order to gain independence.

The Impact of the Declaration• Really the declaration was not a wise choice.

The colonies had very little chance of winning this war. They had none of the following…– Army– Navy– Uniforms– Flag– Supplies– Money– Government– Transportation

Early Stages of the War• Early on Washington and his army spent much of

their time losing battles• The English took New York city and chased

Washington westward across New Jersey all the way to the Delaware River

• Here the colonial army found boats they could use to cross the river.

• This helped Washington avoid being captured by the British

• When the British made it to the Delaware there were no boats left and were forced to make camp where they were at.

Needing a Victory

• After crossing the Delaware Washington realized the morale of his troops was not good.

• The colonists were desperate for a win to convince them they could defeat the English

• The colonists were not stupid, they realized they were really up against it here, and many were already backing out. Remember, these were not professionally trained soldiers

Battle of Trenton• Washington decided to try and cross back over

the Delaware in order to “sneak attack” the English army

• Washington split his army in 3 groups and they began crossing on Christmas day

• The weather was bad and only 1 of the 3 groups made it across

• A day after Christmas the colonial army surprised the English at Trenton and Washington earned his first victory

Washington Crossing State Park

• You can visit the spot where Washington and his men crossed the Delaware

Brandywine

• In 1777 the English invaded Philadelphia and many battles took place in the Brandywine region of PA

• All of these battles were lost by the colonial army

• You can visit Brandywine Battlefield Park located near Philadelphia, PA

Valley Forge• While the British occupied Philadelphia General

Washington set up a camp 20 miles outside the city

• Living conditions at the encampment were awful

• 12,000 troops were poorly fed and cloth during on of the worst winters in recorded history (1777-78)

• We have records of this winter, but it’s hard to get a great idea outside of the soldiers writings

Valley Forge• Sanitation was not a top priority at this camp

and more than 3,000 died from sickness, disease, and infection

• The men built very primitive huts to block the cold winter wind, and all food and clothing available was exhausted

• You can see this site by visiting Valley Forge National Historical Park

Blessing in Disguise• The harsh winter made it impossible for any

fighting to take place, this turned out to be a blessing

• During this time a German army officer, Friedrich von Steuben offered to train Washington’s army of peasant soldiers

• The colonial army had time to prepare and go through a “boot camp” of sorts with Steuben

• When the winter broke the Colonial army would be better prepared

We Owe the French…• In the Spring of 1778 Washington’s army

began to grow in numbers and were receiving more supplies

• During the winter months Ben Franklin had been negotiating with the French for aid and in the spring French ships were seen heading toward Philadelphia

• In order to avoid being trapped in Philly, English troops left the city

• The colonial army was waiting for them and ambushed them as they fled

Why did the French get Involved?

• Really Franklin deserves all the credit. He left for France in 1776 and through charm and intelligence convinced the French King to send money, supplies, food, and men to help the American cause

• The French were also looking to avenge their defeat in the French and Indian War

• It’s also possible the French were looking for a way back into North America

PA’s Contribution

• Pennsylvania, regardless of the fact that Philadelphia was located here, was largely a loyalist colony

• More than 1,400 Pennsylvanians actually fought for the English

• Quakers did not fight, but helped in taking care of the sick and wounded for both armies

• In terms of fighting for Independence, Pennsylvanians did not play a large role

PA’s Contribution

• PA was a main center of war supplies• Rifle were made in Lancaster• Cannons and other iron supplies were made in

Philadelphia• Supplies and ammunition were stored at

Carlisle near Harrisburg• The Conestoga Wagon was built in Lancaster

and was used to haul supplies

PA’s Contribution• Those who did decide to fight for

independence served under General “Mad Anthony” Wayne

• Robert Morris helped raise money for the cause

• Haym Salomon was able to get a large loan from Holland

• Samuel Wetherill was the one who made the colonial uniforms, and did this free of charge

• All of these men were Pennsylvanians

PA’s Contribution• Many Pennsylvania women also played an

active role in the fight• Mary Hays, a soldiers wife, carried water to

the men and earned the name Molly Pitcher• Sarah Bache, Ben Franklin’s daughter,

organized 2,000 women to sew uniforms for the army

• Betsy Ross is believed to have sewn our first National flag

• Many other women are believed to have acted as nurses and cook meals

Independence• This would not have been achieved if it

weren’t for the help from our new ally the French

• In October 1781, Washington’s army, with the help of the French, defeated the English at Yorktown, Virginia

• This defeat was the last straw for the King who decided he had spent enough money on this war

• It took another 2 years of negotiations, but 2 years later a peace agreement was signed

Review Questions1. List at least five reasons why it was not a good idea for

the American colonies to declare their independence. 2. Why was Washington’s crossing of the Delaware crucial

to the success of the colonial army in the Revolution?3. What were the conditions like in Valley Forge? Why?4. Who was Friedrich von Steuben and why was he

important?5. What was Ben Franklin’s main contribution to the

Revolution?6. List 3 ways the French provided help.7. How did the Quakers help?8. Name 5 Pennsylvanians that helped in the war and tell

what they did to help.