WHICH BATTLE, IN YOUR OPINION, WAS

MOST SIGNIFICANT IN THE REVOLUTIONARY

WAR AND WHY?!?

Bell Ringer

The End of the Revolution and it’s Lasting Effects

By 18th century standards – American Revolution was very radical

Why? First time overseas colonists rejected the empire

Turning Point

Battle of Saratoga: Oct. 1777 A Revolutionary Army Victory that

signified that America had a chance in actually winning the War.

France openly acknowledged the former colonies as the New American States and sent aid in large quantities.

Marquis de Lafayette: French General from the French and India War joins Washington and helped train patriot forces.

British Invade the South

British expected Loyalist support in the SouthNorth CarolinaSouth CarolinaGeorgia

British made poor decisions

The British win early victories

Similar to the North – British won majority of battles on the Coastline in the South

1778 – Seized Savannah, Georgia1780 – Captured Charleston, South

Carolina and 5,000 patriot soldiersBut… British failed to control the Southern

countryside

Patriots drive the British back

October 1780 – Kings Mountain South Carolina Patriot armies devastated Loyalist militias – took prisoners Neutral civilians swing support to Patriots

Early 1781 – Continental Army inflicted heavy losses to British at: Battle of Cowpens in South Carolina Battle of Guilford Courthouse in North Carolina

Changed momentum of the WarCornwallis marched his troops to Yorktown into a trap

War Ends

Four factors contributed to the winning of the war British made tactical mistakes – underestimated the

Patriots (Guerilla Warfare) British misunderstood the political nature of conflict Patriots were highly motivated and benefited from G.

Washington’s leadership Patriots received assistance from France

Cornwallis Surrenders

Summer of 1781 – Washington marched his troops south

Washington wanted to trap the Redcoats at Yorktown, Virginia

Washington needed help from FranceFrance’s navy blocked British navy from entering

Chesapeake BayCornwallis was trapped at Yorktown, Virginia

http://youtu.be/jvGAE1JcGV4

Treaty of Paris - 1783

Seven years of fighting – British public was fed up with casualties and tax

Treaty of Paris Recognized American independence Granted generous boundaries to the United States

Ben Franklin secured more territory than the Patriots had won

Relations with France became strained

Treaty of Paris - 1783

Revolution Impacts Society – British abandon their allies

Loyalists & SlavesBritish tried to protect their Loyalist alliesState laws and mob violence prevented

Loyalists from returning homeRoughly 90,000, including 20,000 fugitive

slaves, became refugeesSlaves became re-enslaved in West Indies

North American After the Treaty of Paris

Revolution Impacts Society

Native Americans Ignored by Treaty of ParisNative Americans were forced to give up

massive tracts of landRevolution was a disaster to Indians

Revolution Impacts Women

Women gained few political/legal rights from war

Gained respect – seen as “republican mothers”Republic needed virtuous citizens – learned

from their mothersWomen looked to have more rights when

creating new nationWomen could not vote or own property

Changes for African Americans

Slavery – inconsistent with ideals of the Revolution

Slavery was accepted as the “norm”Some spoke out against slaveryRevolution – inspired slaves to demand

freedomSlaves joined in on the war effort

Changes for African Americans

Revolution led to emancipation in North Slavery was not needed for economy

Northern slave owners sold slaves to the SouthSlaves – essential to planation economyManumission – voluntarily freeing of slavesSouthern whites feared freed blacks would seek

revenge

Revolutionary Ideas Spread

“All men are created equal” – used by African Americans and women when fighting for equal rights

American Revolution inspired revolution in France and Latin America

20th century – Africans and Asians began national liberation movement

American Revolution – changed the world