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Chapter 6.1 Notes. The War Begins. Choosing Sides A. Patriots – Americans who supported Independence 1. Strengths - Fought for their land & lives & freedom (Motivation) - Knowledge of their land - Leadership (George Washington)
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Chapter 6.1 Notes The War Begins
Choosing Sides A. Patriots – Americans who supported Independence 1. Strengths - Fought for their land & lives & freedom (Motivation) - Knowledge of their land - Leadership (George Washington) B. Loyalists (Tories) – Remained loyal to Britain and opposed the war for independence 1. Strengths - Strongest navy in the world - Experienced, well trained army - Wealth…Strongest empire in the world - 4X more citizens - Mercenaries: hired soldiers (ability to buy them)
Building an Army • A. Continental Army • 1. Individual colonies recruited soldiers • 2. General – George Washington • Helping in the Fight • A. Women (cared for wounded, cooked meals, made uniforms, etc.) • 1. Margaret Corbin (aka. Molly Pitcher) • B. African Americans • 1. Aprx. 5,000 served for the Patriots • 2. Had their own regiments • Important Battles • A. 1st Battle: Lexington & Concord • 1. “Shot heard ‘round the world” • 2. No clear victor • B. Bunker Hill • 1. British victory • 2. However…they sustained heavy losses (1,000 dead/wounded)
C. Battle of Long Island • 1. First decisive British victory • 2. Nathan Hale – “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” • D. Battle of Trenton, NJ • 1. Colonial troops crossed the Delaware River and surprised the British. • 2. American Victory • E. Battle of Saratoga • 1. American Victory • 2. Turning point in the war. • - The victory convinced other nations to help the colonists, b/c they believed the colonists could win (France/Spain)
F. Winter at Valley Forge • 1. 20 miles West of Philadelphia • 2. Lacked food, clothing, shelter, and medicine • 3. Continental Army almost fell apart • G. Battle at Yorktown • 1. Siege: A military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. • 2. Continental Army surrounded Yorktown by land with help from French ships by sea. • - British Gen. Cornwallis surrendered on Oct. 19, 1781 • - 14,000 American/French troops defeated 8,000 British • 3. Treaty of Paris • - Sept. 3, 1783 • - Ben Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams (representatives) • - See map for new boundaries