1. The American War
for Independence
(1776-1783)
“These are the times that
try men’s souls”
-Thomas Paine, 1780

2. War : European Tactics (1700s)
 Great Britain -“rules” of
“gentlemanly” warfare
 No attacking at night,
 No sneak attacks
 Mercenaries were
common
 Soldiers lowly regarded
British “Redcoats”
in British society

3. War: American Tactics (1700s)
 Colonial warfare based
on style of Natives American militia
 “Skulking” style of war
included sneak attacks,
adjustments
 Hid behind walls, no
uniforms, ambushed
enemies
 Local militias

4. Colonial Soldier
British “Redcoat”

5. Continental army
 Created by George
Washington
 Fought alongside
various state militias
 Provided Washington
with better idea of
soldiers’ capabilities and
length of service
(1 year)
 Washington’s greatest
Infantry training
accomplishment of the
war

6. 1 Leaders of the Revolution
2 3
5
6
4

7. Revolutionary Leaders
1- George Washington- leader of
Continental Army
2- William Howe- head of British army in
1776
3- John Burgoyne- defeated at Saratoga
4- Lord Cornwallis- surrendered British army
at Yorktown
5- Benedict Arnold- switched from American
to British after Saratoga
6- Nathaneal Greene- RI native,
Washington’s top field general

8. Opening Moves !
 Britis hto s e ize NY
 1776: Howe ’s troops drive
Wa s hington out of NY
 Wa s hington a nd troops a ga in drive n
from Ma nha tta n to White P la ins
 NY be come s the Britis h he a dqua rte rs
for the wa r!!

9. Opening Moves

Cont…Philly where the
British begin to move onto
Continental Congress was meeting!
 Washington’s troops get word of this…
THREE BATTLES>>>>>
1. Battle of TRENTON
2. Saratoga
3. Yorktown

10. 1. Battle of Trenton
 December, 1776: Washington plans
surprise attack of Hessian camp at
Trenton, NJ.
 December 25: Washington attacks on
Christmas night, kills/captures 1,000
men
 3 days later: defeat of British at Princeton,
NJ forces British to return to NY for winter

11. Results of Battle of Trenton
 Soldiers encouraged to
re-enlist
 Morale of army shot up
 Washington
showcased leadership
skills
 2nd Guessing: Why did
Washington crossing the Delaware
River on his way to Trenton Howe not deal “knock-
out” blow in NY?

12. 2. Saratoga: France Enters
 1777- British capture
Philadelphia, Continental
Congress escapes
 Valley Forge- winter of 1777-
78: nearly 2,500 American
soldiers die from cold, food
shortages
 October 1777- Gen.
Burgoyne’s troops captured
outside Saratoga, NY
 Result: France enters war Marquis de Lafayette

13. 3. Yorktown, 1781: War in
the South
 1778- British turn to
South
 Savannah, GA and
Charlestown, SC fell
to British
 Battle of Kings
Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown,
Mountain- victory for
VA Patriots!!!
 British surrender at
Yorktown (1781)

14. Treaty of Paris (1783)
 British recognized
USA as a new
nation!!!!
 Mississippi River is
western border (open
to British use)
 Florida given back to
Spain!!
 France received
colonies in Africa and
Caribbean

15. Other Contributors to Revolution
 Women- cooking, nursing
of soldiers, taking control of
family business, spies
 African-Americans-
British/Americans offered
freedom in exchange for
military service (5,000 for
“Molly Pitcher” helping
colonial soldiers
America)
 Loyalists- remained loyal to
Britain, in some cases fled
or lost land

16. Effects of Revolution
 New political ideas
(republic)
 New state constitutions
(guarantee of rights)
 Voting rights expand
First flag of the United
(social class)
States  Freedom of religion
 Educational changes
 American painters

17. Why did Britain lose the
war???
 Atlantic Ocean
 Tried to occupy a whole
continent
 American perseverance,
fighting spirit
 George Washington,
other generals
HMMMM…
 French aid
 War unpopular in Britain