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The American Revolution: 1775-1783. Why the Colonists Won. COLONISTS BRITISH . Pop. 8 million Loyalists Adv—military power, numbers, Indian support, money Tactics—Divide/ Conquer, capture ports, Frontal attacks. Pop. 2.5 million Patriots
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The American Revolution: 1775-1783
Why the Colonists Won COLONISTS BRITISH • Pop. 8 million • Loyalists • Adv—military power, numbers, Indian support, money • Tactics—Divide/ Conquer, capture ports, Frontal attacks • Pop. 2.5 million • Patriots • Adv—Leadership, motivation, fighting at home, sharp shooters, European aid • Tactics—Guerilla, sharpshooters target generals, Culper Spy Ring, wear down British
Lexington/Concord • Gen Gage vs. Cpt. John Parker • 60 militia w/ orders not to “fire unless fired upon” • “Shot Heard Round the World” • 8 minutemen lay dead • British head to Concord • More than 1000 militia fired on British shadowing their march • Killed 73, wounded 200
Bunker Hill (June, 1775) The British suffered over 40% casualties.
Bunker Hill/Breed’s Hill • Militia fortified Bunker/Breed’s Hill • Colonists not allowed to fire until they see “the whites of the eyes” • Held British back 2x until they ran out of ammo • 1000 British troops killed/wounded • Moral Victory • A war had begun!
Washington’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
SIEGE of BOSTON • Militia had very little gunpowder, but G.W. spread rumors that they had more • G.W. sent Henry Knox to Fort Ticonderoga to seize artillery • March 4, 1776-British soldiers in Boston saw the new weapons being pointed at them • They abandoned the city • Many fled to Canada with loyalists • Many hoped that would be the end of the war
Phase II: NY & PA[1776-1778]
Defeat in New York • August 1776—Largest land invasion in American history and biggest attack on NYC until 9/11 • British outnumber Patriots 2-1 • British chased colonists out of NY, through NJ and finally across the Delaware to Pennsylvania • 3000 Patriot POWS held in British prisonships (HMS Jersey, nicknamed hell) • GW’s first defeat
Battle of Trenton • BRI planned to crush rebellion by force (More troops the better) • British troops and German Hessians had stationed themselves in N.J. • G.W. was across the Delaware River and saw a chance to catch BRI off guard • Planned a surprise attack on Christmas 1776
Battle of Trenton • Patriot victory • Hessians surrender • U.S. takes 868 prisoners without losing a life
Saratoga: “Turning Point” of the War? A modern-day re-enactment
Battle of Saratoga • Burgoyne (BRI) vs. Horatio Gates/Benedict Arnold (U.S.) • FIRST MAJOR AMERICAN VICTORY IN THE REV • BRI attempted to split middle colonies from NE (take control of Hudson river) • But, Burgoyne was slow on the roll due to the American wilderness, his heavy load and dealing with guerilla fights attacking generals • BRI surrounded by colonists • Turning point as it led to other European nations declaring war on Britain 21
Valley Forge • GW greatest challenge was keeping the Continental Army together • Terrible winter 25:22
Valley Forge • Inoculation (small pox) • Arrival of Baron Von Steuben and Marquis de Lafayette to train and discipline soldiers 25:22
Serapis Battle • John Paul Jones (Father of the American Navy) • Took on the British ship Serapis • Tied boats together and engaged in hand-to-hand combat • “I have not yet begun to fight” • U.S. victory • Two burials—1792 (alone in France) • Exhumed in 1905 (still recognizable face) • Buried again with full military honors in Annapolis, Maryland
Benedict Arnold Becomes Traitor • Benedict Arnold never felt his nation’s gratitude and felt a sense of betrayal at lack of promotions • He was injured at the Battle of Saratoga and while he lay in the hospital, Horatio Gates took credit for Saratoga • After he recovered, he was unfairly convicted on and reprimanded for two misdemeanor counts of dereliction of duty • GW granted him control of West Point • Arnold plotted to sell it to the British for 20,000 pounds (3mill today) • Major Andre was intercepted with plans • Culper Spy Ring were tipped off and credited with the capture • Arnold escaped • Andre hanged, Arnold erased from military records
Britain’s “Southern 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 • Face trouble in the Carolinas • Nathaniel Greene send BRI on a exhausting chase until they finally settle in Yorktown, VA
Battle of Yorktown • BRI surrounded by American forces on land and French forces at sea • Gen. Cornwallis surrendered (1781)
Cornwallis’ Surrender at Yorktown: “The World Turned Upside Down!” Painted by John Trumbull, 1797
Treaty of Paris • Ben Franklin, John Jay and John Adams represented the U.S. in peace talks • Treaty of Paris signed 9/3/1783 • GB recognized U.S. as independent nation • Territory expanded to west of the Mississippi • Loyalists would not be persecuted
Effects of the War • Casualties • 6200 killed in combat • 10,000 died of disease • 8500 died as POWs • Debt=$70million • New Government created • Articles of Confederation (1st Constitution)
A Model for Others • Inspired white Americans to question slavery • Haiti (Toussaint L’Ouverture) • Second nation to achieve independence from colonial rule • French Revolution (“Liberty, Equality and Fraternity”)
