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Chapter 9

Chapter 9. The War for Independence: The Rebels Victorious 1776–1781. An Imbalance of Power. Patriots are traitors to the British Patriot chance of success not great Opposing Armies British army one of Europe’s finest Britain has 50,000 troops for battle Many are mercenaries

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Chapter 9

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  1. Chapter 9 The War for Independence: The Rebels Victorious 1776–1781

  2. An Imbalance of Power • Patriots are traitors to the British • Patriot chance of success not great • Opposing Armies • British army one of Europe’s finest • Britain has 50,000 troops for battle • Many are mercenaries • America has hastily mobilized militia • Continental Army • Only enlisted for one year • Fluctuates from 5,000–18,500 • British navy best in Europe • Patriot navy basically non-existent • Patriots lost few ships they built • Privateers did most damage to British

  3. An Imbalance of Power(cont.’d) • The Loyalists • Approximately one-third of civilian population • Northern Anglicans, rich merchants, planters, etc. • Southern slaves, who hoped to gain freedom • Indians divided • Split the Iroquois Confederacy • Patriot advantages • Defensive war on homeland • Fight until British war weary • Had friends in London • Control countryside • Arms from Spain and France

  4. Boston Gained, New York Lost • Franklin in Paris • Sent to lobby for French alliance • A social sensation • French reluctant to commit troops • French wanted to see major victory • Stalemate in Boston • Citizens overwhelmingly anti-British • Americans heavily fortify Dorchester Heights • Washington allows British to evacuate without firing • Howe relocates to New York

  5. Boston Won, New York Lost (cont.’d) • Humiliation in New York • Howe has superior numbers in New York • Howe invades Long Island • Americans suffer losses • Washington’s troops escape to New Jersey • Howe pursues Washington • Washington retreats into Pennsylvania • Many patriot soldiers swear allegiance to King • Howe leaves minimum troops at front line for winter

  6. Boston Won, New York Lost (cont.’d) • Trenton • Washington crosses on Christmas night into New Jersey • Surprises Hessians at Trenton, wins battle • Wins against Princeton • Trenton and Princeton victories save patriot cause • British Strategy • Burgoyne plans to take Hudson River Valley • Success will isolate New England • British fail to coordinate troop movements • Howe instead moves to Philadelphia

  7. Map 9:1 – Washington troop movements

  8. Boston Won, New York Lost (cont.’d) • Saratoga: Watershed Campaign • Howe takes Philadelphia after Battle of Brandywine Creek • Washington falls back to Valley Forge • Burgoyne’s grand plan falls apart • Americans wear down Burgoyne’s forces in New York • Americans win big victory at Saratoga October 1777 • General Horatio Gates • Burgoyne surrenders army

  9. Map 9:2 - Saratoga

  10. The Tide Turns • British try to negotiate • British offer Americans control of internal affairs • Americans turn down British offer • French form military alliance February 1778 • Foreign Intervention • French provide money, men, fleet • French contribution vital to war effort • Spain invades British Florida • France helps keep peace in Europe • Mercenaries for liberty • European peace brings military professionals to US • Marquis de Lafayette of France • Casimir Pulaski, Thaddeus Kosciusko of Poland • Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben of Prussia

  11. The Tide Turns (cont.’d) • War Drags On • U.S. cannot risk a decisive battle • British continue to win indecisive battles • British try to strangle colonial economy and fight in south • U.S. suffers inflation, mutinies, traitors • American spirit low

  12. The Tide Turns (cont.’d) • Opportunity • Cornwallis camps at Yorktown • Cornwallis needs access to sea • Yorktown is Washington’s “backyard” • Washington traps Cornwallis by land • French fleet traps Cornwallis by sea • More French than Americans • Defeat at Yorktown • Cornwallis asks for terms Oct. 17, 1781 • Cornwallis surrenders Oct. 19, 1781 • Final battle of war

  13. Map 9:3

  14. The Tide Turns (cont.’d) • Treaty of Paris • British choose not to continue fighting • American independence • Mississippi River western boundary • Fishing rights off of Canadian eastern coast • Protection for Loyalists & urge property be returned • George Washington • Father of his country • Lacked originality and boldness; no thinker • Not very successful as field commander • Contemporaries saw him as man of integrity and dignity • Washington man of character

  15. Discussion Questions • What were the advantages and disadvantages on both sides in the American Revolution? • What role did mercenaries play, on both sides, in the American Revolution? • What role did France play in American victory in the Revolution? • Why is George Washington called “the father of his country”? Does he deserve this accolade? Was he a great man, or simply in the right place at the right time?

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