summary of the american revolution foldable

1. The American Revolution
• How was it that the American Patriots gained
independence from the British Empire?
Foldable Tab titles:
1. Early Years of the war
2. War in the Middle Colonies
3. Britain’s Northern Strategy
4. Saratoga and Foreign help
5. Valley Forge, the Frontier and War at Sea
6. Savannah and Charlestown
7. Yorktown and why America wins

2. The American Revolution
How was it that the American Patriots
gained independence from the British
Empire?
War in the Middle Colonies
Britain’s Northern Strategy
Saratoga and Foreign Help
Valley Forge, the Frontier and the War at Sea
Savannah and Charleston
Early Years of the War
Yorktown and Why America Wins

3. Early years of the war
Were we truly united?
– 20-30% stayed as Loyalists
– 40-45% were for Separation (patriots)
– The rest were neutral (didn’t pick sides)
June 1775 - The Continental Army takes shape
– Continental Congress sets up Army and commissions
– George Washington becomes leader Continental Army
– Soldiers only sign up for 1 year enlistments
British forces take shape
– British expected to win easily
– Couldn’t find a lot of recruits because the British Army is
“for life”
– British hire German Hessians (Mercenaries)

5. War in the Middle Colonies
The Battle for Long Island
– Washington vs Howe and 9000 Hessians
– England wins and Washington’s army is demoralized
– Continental Army retreats across the Delaware River
The American Crisis
– Thomas Paine – author
– “These are the times that try men’s souls”
Christmas surprise!
– Desperate to turn the tide before his soldiers’ enlistments run
out Washington leads a sneak attack back across the Delaware
on Christmas morning to Trenton.
– Americans capture or kill over 900 Hessians.
– Next is a win at Princeton
– The soldiers now believe that victory is possible and they sign
back up

7. Britain's Northern Strategy
British Strategy (or plan of action) was to isolate the
New England colonies. They have a 3-part plan
1. General Burgoyne would lead a force from Canada
2. Lt. Colonel St. Leger would come down the Mohawk
Valley
3. General Howe would follow the Hudson River north from
NYC
• All would converge on Albany, NY and the Hudson
River Valley.

8. Problems with the plan in action
• First St. Leger is not able to keep moving through
the Mohawk valley after an encounter with
Benedict Arnold.
• General Howe splits his force and tries to capture
the Continental Congress in Philadelphia only
sending a few thousand men up the Hudson to
meet Burgoyne.
• Howe defeats Washington at Brandywine and
captures Philadelphia. He winters here instead of
finishing the plan.
• Burgoyne continues toward Albany but will not
have help from St Leger or from a large force
commanded by Howe.
Britain's Northern Strategy – cont.

9. Saratoga and Foreign Help
• Burgoyne’s army continues to move south but begins
to run out of supplies because the people hide/
destroy the food before he gets there.
• American General Horatio Gates digs in at Bemis
Heights (Near Saratoga) The fortifications allow them
to command the valley below and the British cannot
pass without being attacked by cannon fire.
• Benedict Arnold leads several attacks on British
nearby and defeats that part of the army.
• Burgoyne is unable to defeat Gates and retreats to
Saratoga. The Continentals surround and capture
Burgoyne there.

10. • This victory inspires countries to join – France,
Spain, the Netherlands all begin to help. Some
send supplies. France sends troops. The war
sparks conflict world wide forcing the British
to fight on several “fronts.”
• Famous foreign officers
• Marquis De Lafayette (French) - officer
helped command w/Washington. GW
regarded him as a son.
• Baron von Steuben (Prussia) - trained the
Continental Army at Valley Forge
Saratoga and Foreign Help – cont.

11. Valley Forge, the Frontier and War at Sea
• After the defeat by Howe, George Washington’s troops
winter at Valley Forge in PA. The lack of supplies is
apparent as most men don’t have shoes, jackets or
food. The Continental Congress is very slow in getting
money. High desertion rate at camp is a constant.
Washington encourages the reading of The Crisis to
boost morale. (1777)
• The Frontier- The Wilderness Road (built in 1775 by
Daniel Boone) leads to KY. George Rogers Clark
captures several British outposts. Clark and his men
then battle Brit. Henry (Hair Buyer) Hamilton for Fort
Sackville at Vincennes. He sneaks up through the
swamps and tricks them into thinking that there is a
bigger colonial army than there is. Brutal execution of
natives persuade the brits to surrender.

12. • The war at sea- American privateers are used
to harass British trade. More than 1000 were
used.
• John Paul Jones sailed all the way to Britain to
attack ships on their coast. Jones leads a
courageous attack on 2 Brit ships… “I have not
yet begun to fight…” He wins the battle but his
ship sinks and he sails off in a British ship.
Valley Forge, the Frontier and War at Sea – cont.

13. Savannah and Charlestown
• The British decide to attack in the south. 1778
they capture Savannah. A British army (Under
Henry Clinton) lands and corners an American
army in Charlestown. It surrenders and this is
the worst defeat of the war. From here Lord
Cornwallis is put in charge for the Brits while
General Gates is sent for the Americans. Gates
is defeated at Camden and American Morale is
sent to an all time low.
• Francis Marion is an American commander
who uses guerilla tactics to hit and run. The
Brits can never find him (Swamp fox)

14. Yorktown and Why America wins
• Read pages 164-166 and summarize the battle of
Yorktown. Make sure you describe the place, the
strategies and the people involved.
• Read pages 168-169 and summarize the reasons for
Patriot “victory.” Was it really our victory or Britain’s
defeat…wonder what that means!