The Revolutionary War

Battles, Generals

Review SlideUp until 1776, most of the fighting

centered around what area?What are some disadvantages of the

Patriot army? Advantages?By mid-1776 fighting is going to shift

into the middle colonies.

Battle of Long Island General Howe was leading the British Army in

1776 34,000 troops, 10,000 sailors His Plan:

March from Boston to New York City and conquer it Battle of Long Island – Washington v. Howe

More than 1,400 Continentals were killed, wounded or captured.

The rest retreated to Manhattan (20,000 troops)

Nathan Hale

Washington eventually crossed into NJ and then made his way to PA.

He gained information about British troops and needed to transport it.

Nathan Hale, a young CT officer, volunteered to transport it. Hale was stopped by British officials,

searched, and then hung at the gallows.

Battle of Trenton Washington’s troops were sick and tired

Had no money, food, or clothing Washington decided to win they would need a

surprise attack. Battle of Trenton – Washington v. Hessians

On Dec. 25, 1776 (Christmas) he crossed the Delaware River and surprised the Hessians who were celebrating Christmas and were easily able to defeat them.

Hessians – soldiers from Germany who fought on the British side.

Cornwallis’s Retaliation Cornwallis tried to retake Trenton on Jan. 2,

1777. However, Washington fooled him by leaving

their fires burning at their old camp. Instead, Washington marched forward and

overtook the British troops at Princeton, NJ. He wintered at Morristown, NJ.

Burgoyne’s Plan In 1777, General John Burgoyne presented a

new British plan for victory. He thought the British should cut off New

England from the rest of the colonies. His plan called for 3 different British

regiments to march to Albany, NY and crush the Americans. This would allow them to control the Hudson River

and stop colonial supplies.

What Really Happened Burgoyne’s plan called for General Howe to

move to Albany. However, King George wanted Howe to take

Philadelphia. Howe captured Philadelphia in the Battles of

Germantown and Brandywine. He decided NOT to go to Albany. This allowed George Washington to stay at

Valley Forge for the winter.

Moving to NYONLY Burgoyne moved to Albany.However, the Patriots cut down trees

and blocked streams to slow him down.The Green Mountain Boys hurried to NY

to help the Patriots.There, the Patriots surrounded the

British and held them off.

Battle of Saratoga Battle of Saratoga – Burgoyne v. Gates

Patriots surrounded the British forcing Burgoyne to surrender 1/3 of the British army.

This was the turning point of the war. Results

Ended the British threat to New England. Boosted American spirits Convinced France to become an ally to the

Americans. Ally – work together to achieve a common goal.

French Aid The French were eager to defeat the British

because they were still upset about the French and Indian War.

However, they did not want to join the war unless they knew the Americans would win.

In February of 1778, France became the first nation to sign a treaty with America. Recognized the new nation and agreed to provide

military aid. Also, the Netherlands and Spain later join against

Britain by providing loans to the patriots.

Famous Foreigners Marquis de Lafayette – young French noble

who trained Patriot soldiers. Became a close friend of Washington’s

Freidrich von Steuben – Prussian who helped to drill Washington’s troops

Thaddeus Kosciusko – A Polish engineer who helped build forts and other defenses.

Casimir Pulaski – A Polish man who helped form and train the cavalry Cavalry – troops on horseback

Valley Forge Continentals suffered through the winter of 1777-

1778 at Valley Forge. Conditions: cold, damp, no homes, slept on

frozen ground, no shoes, suffered from frostbite and other diseases

Women sent food, ammunition, warm clothes, medicine and more

As spring came, Von Steuben taught them to march and drill. With Washington and Von Steuben, the spirits were

renewed.