Ms. Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua,Ms. Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NYNY

Mrs. Jean Abdo, Olean High School, Olean, NYMrs. Jean Abdo, Olean High School, Olean, NY

What are the major military and political events of the American

Revolution?

1775-1783

What was the original British strategy? Why did it change to the South?

Why was Saratoga a turning point?

What is the significance of Valley Forge?

Britain Americans

Advantages ? ?

Disadvantages ? ?

On the Eve of the On the Eve of the Revolution ?Revolution ?

See handout(s)…

comparison chart a

nd

questions!!!

LoyalistLoyalist

StrongholdStrongholdss

Washington’s HeadachesWashington’s Headaches

Only 1/3 of the colonists were in favor of a war for independence [the other third were Loyalists, and the final third were neutral].

State/colony loyalties.

Congress couldn’t tax to raise money for the Continental Army.

Poor training (until the arrival of Baron von Steuben).

Exports & Imports: 1768-Exports & Imports: 1768-17831783

Military StrategiesMilitary Strategies

Attrition (the British had a long supply line).

Guerilla tactics (fight an insurgent war you don’t have to win a battle, just wear the British down)

Make an alliance with one of Britain’s enemies.

The American

s

The BritishBreak the colonies in half by getting between the No. & the So.

Conventional War – capture major cities

Blockade the ports to prevent the flow of goods and supplies from an ally.

“Divide and Conquer” use the Loyalists.

Phase IPhase I:: The Northern The Northern CampaignCampaign[1775-1776][1775-1776]

Bunker Hill (June, 1775)Bunker Hill (June, 1775)

The British suffered over 40% casualties.

Phase IIPhase II::

NY & PANY & PA[1777-1778][1777-1778]

New York City in FlamesNew York City in Flames(1776)(1776)

Washington Crossing the Washington Crossing the DelawareDelaware

Painted by Emanuel Leutze, 1851

Saratoga: Saratoga: “Turning “Turning Point”Point” of the War? of the War?

A modern-day re-enactment

Phase IIIPhase III:: The Southern The Southern Strategy Strategy [1780-1781][1780-1781]

Britain’s “Southern Britain’s “Southern Strategy”Strategy”Britain thought that there were

more Loyalists in the South.

Southern resources were more valuable/worth preserving.

The British win a number of small victories, but cannot pacify the countryside [similar to U. S. failures in Vietnam!]

Good US General:Nathanial Greene

The Battle of Yorktown The Battle of Yorktown (1781)(1781)

Count de Rochambeau

AdmiralDe Grasse

Cornwallis’ Surrender at Cornwallis’ Surrender at Yorktown:Yorktown:

Painted by John Trumbull, 1797

““The World Turned Upside The World Turned Upside Down!” Down!”

What did the Americans win?

North America After theNorth America After theTreaty of Paris, 1783Treaty of Paris, 1783

Treaty of Paris - 1783

• Great Britain recognized independence of U.S.

• Set boundaries – Atlantic Ocean to Mississippi River

• Granted generous fishing rights to U.S. in the Grand Banks, Newfoundland

• Great Britain promised to leave American soil

• U.S. promised to repay Loyalists for property lost during the Revolution

Effects of the American Revolution

Political Effects

• U.S. officially recognized as independent nation

• 13 “united” states• State constitutions guaranteed basic rights

and freedoms• Foundation – democracy• Expanded voting rights to adult white males

(who owned property in order to hold office)

Economic Effects• End mercantilism and restrictions on trade• Need to industrialize• End system of primogeniture (inheritance to eldest son)

• End trade preferences within the British empire (lost some of our best customers)

• Inflation (“Continentals” – worthless currency)

• Debt – to both foreign countries and American investors

• High unemployment

Social Effects

• Identity of “American”- individualism; diversity

• No aristocratic titles of nobility• Social mobility... “American Dream”• Westward migration encouraged• Separation of church and state• Issues involving women’s rights and

slavery continued• Increased importance of education to

democracy

Why did the Americans win?

“The Upset of the 18th Century”…see handout