The American Revolutionary War was won through a combination of strategic military victories by American forces and support from international allies like France. Key battles like Trenton, Saratoga, and Yorktown helped shift momentum towards American independence. France's entry into the war in 1778 after the American victory at Saratoga and subsequent financial support proved critical to the colonial victory over the more powerful British military. The war ultimately ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which recognized American independence.

1.  How was the
American
Revolutionary
War won?

2. • British Army and Navy
most powerful in world
• Also well-equipped with
weapons
• Highly trained and
disciplined for war on
land or high seas
• Most Indian tribes sided
with Britain, who
promised protection of
tribal lands.
Strengths of the military:

3. • The British fought a war far
from home. Military orders,
troops, and supplies
sometimes took months to
reach their destinations
• British gear weighed about
100 pounds
Weaknesses of the
military:

4. • Knowledge of the
land
• Guerilla warfare
tactics
• Strong belief in their
fight for freedom and
liberty
• The alliance with the
French gave
Americans courage
Strengths of the
military:

5. • The Americans had
tremendous difficulty raising
enough funds to purchase
basic supplies for their troops,
including shoes and blankets.
• About half of the population in
the colonies stayed neutral
and hoped to avoid the
conflict
Weaknesses of the
military:

6. Battle of Trenton—1776
• Surprise attack the day after Christmas
• Washington crossed the Delaware
• Approximately 1000 German soldiers
fighting for the British captured
• British were
forced out of
New Jersey

7. Battle of Saratoga – 1777
• The turning
point of the war
• The biggest
American
victory at the
time
• Approximately
5,000 British
surrender to
Washington

8. Battle of Saratoga – 1777
• After the American victory
France changed its policies.
• Feb. 1778 France and
American formed an alliance
• France declared war on Britain
the next month
• Spain also declared war in
1779 to help the colonies

9. • The Marquis de
Lafayette: French
military officer who
helped the
American colonists
• Huge percentage of
American
gunpowder came
from France
:

10. Valley Forge – 1777-1778
• American Army out of food and clothing
• Valley Forge briefly a refuge
• Supplies ran
out and
many died
• Low point
for American
Army

11. Battle of Yorktown—1781
• French blockade aided this final battle
• Officially ended the American Revolution

12. • Peace talks began in Paris,
France in 1782.
• Benjamin Franklin, John
Adams, and John Jay
represented the new Unite
States.
• A treaty was agreed upon on
November 30, 1783. The
Treaty recognized the
independence of the new
nation.
The Treaty of Paris 1783

14.  How was the
American
Revolutionary
War won?