The American Revolution was an uneven fight between 1775-1783, with Britain having advantages in military strength and resources over the American colonists. Key turning points included the Continental Army's surprise victory at Trenton and the British surrender at Saratoga, which convinced France to ally with the Americans. With further support from France and other countries, Washington was able to trap Cornwallis' forces at Yorktown in 1781, marking the last major battle. The Treaty of Paris in 1783 officially recognized American independence.

1. The American Revolution
1775-1783

2. An Uneven Fight
• After declaring independence in 1776, war was
inevitable.
• Both sides believed the war would be quickly over.
• Britain had an overwhelming advantage:
1) Strongest navy in the world
2) Experienced, well-trained army
3) The wealth of a worldwide empire
4) Larger population (8 million vs. 2.5 million)
• The colonists had serious disadvantages:
1) Lacked a regular army and a navy
2) Lacked experience, weapons, & ammunition
3) Not all Americans supported the war

3. Loyalists
• Colonists who remained loyal to Britain were
called Loyalists or “Tories”.
• The British also had disadvantages:
1) They had to ship supplies and soldiers from a
long distance.
2) They were unfamiliar with the land.
3) British and Hessian (German mercenaries)
soldiers fought for money, no passion in their
beliefs.
4) They were an occupying force, invaders of land
belonging to other people.
• Many African-Americans fought for the British-told
they would be free.

4. An Uphill Battle
• The Patriots did have some advantages:
1) Fought on their own land with determination
2) Fought for their own freedom & land
3) They had a great leader- George Washington
• The Congress had little power. They could
not collect taxes to pay for the war.
• Many women (Molly Pitcher, Deborah
Sampson, Margaret Corbin) helped with
the war.

5. The Early Years
• Summer of 1776, Britain sent 32,000 troops under the
command of General William Howe.
• The Continental Army suffered a serious defeat on Long
Island, New York.
• Nathan Hale, a young soldier, agreed to spy for
America. He was discovered and hanged.
• Winter of 1776-1777 at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania- low
point for the Continental Army. Many troops deserted.
• Washington pled for more troops. Asked for African
Americans to be allowed to fight.
• Southern states said no, they feared revolts and
refused to give guns to slaves. Some northern states
did anyway.

6. First Victory
• A Hessian (German mercenaries fighting for the
British) army settled in New Jersey for the
winter.
• Normally no fighting occurred during the winter
months.
• Washington saw an opportunity to catch the
British off guard.
• On Christmas night 1776, 2,400 troops crossed
the icy Delaware River.
• At the Battle of Trenton, the Continental Army
surprised the Hessians and captured 900.

7. The Plan to Take Albany
• British were worried. New plan for victory. Control
Hudson River and split New England & Middle Colonies.
• A three-pronged attack to take Albany:
1) General Burgoyne south from Canada
2) St. Leger east from Lake Ontario
3) Howe north from Philadelphia
• Howe captured Philadelphia, decided to spend the
winter there.
• Benedict Arnold forced St. Leger to retreat.
• Burgoyne was slowed by his 30 wagons and frequent
parties.
• Burgoyne ended up in Saratoga surrounded by an army
three times larger than his. He surrendered.

8. The War Continues
• The victory at Saratoga was the turning point of the
war. It boosted spirits and convinced many the
Americans could win.
• Ben Franklin was in Paris trying to gain support.
Saratoga caused France to declare war on Britain.
• Spain soon followed and also declared war.
• Washington was in Valley Forge, PA during the winter
of 1777-1778. They suffered terribly. It was hard to
keep the army together.
• Thomas Paine wrote The American Crisis. He said,
“These are the times that try men’s souls.”
• When Washington received word of France’s support, it
raised the spirits of the troops.

9. Help from Other Nations
• French nobleman, Marquis de Lafayette, used his own
money to come to America. He was inspired by the
Declaration of Independence and American ideas of
freedom.
• Lafayette became one of Washington’s most trusted
aides.
• Friederich von Steuben came from Germany. He drilled
the troops and taught them how to march.
• Von Steuben turned the Continental Army into an
effective fighting force.
• Bernardo de Gálvez, the governor of Spanish Louisiana,
gathered troops and helped to open up supply lines for
the Continental Army.

10. Other Important Americans!
•Wentworth Cheswell: an African-American that rode to warn Portsmouth
New Hampshire of the arrival of British warships. Also served in the
Continental Army and fought at the Battle of Saratoga.
•Mercy Otis Warren: an American woman that wrote books of poetry
and plays supporting the independence movement, was a friend of Abigail
Adams and also believed women should have the right to vote.
•James Armistead: American slave that spied for the Americans by
pretending to be a British spy (double-agent). Provided the Americans with
very valuable information about the British, helped the victory at Yorktown.
•Bernardo de Galvez: Spanish naval commander that sent weapons to
George Washington, also battled and defeated the British at New Orleans
and in Florida.
•Haym Salomon: Polish-born Jewish American that helped the Continental
Army by providing money and other financial help.

11. Ideas of Freedom
• Getting money for the war was difficult. Congress
printed millions of dollars in paper money which quickly
lost their value.
• This led to inflation. There was no gold or silver to back
up the paper dollars.
• Some women began to think that women should have
equal access to education.
• Abigail Adams fought for women’s rights and equality.
• The quest for liberty and freedom caused some
Americans to question slavery.
• Many African Americans fought in the Revolutionary
War. But the question of slavery would remain
unsettled.

12. An American Navy?
• Britain used its superior navy to keep American ships
and their allies from ports. This naval blockade kept
supplies and reinforcements from the army.
• To break the blockade, Congress ordered thirteen ships
to be built. Only two ever sailed to sea.
• In order to compete, American privateers were
enlisted. They captured more British ships than the
entire American navy.
• John Paul Jones sailed the Bonhomme Richard, raiding
British ports. He met the Serapis, a large British ship.
• After fighting for three hours, the British commander
asks if he wants to give up. John Paul Jones says, “I
have not yet begun to fight.” He became a naval hero.

13. The War Moves South
• By 1778, the British realized how hard the war was
going to be. They decided on a hard hitting offensive in
the South.
• They hoped loyalist support in the South would be of
help. They did not get the help they expected.
• General Charles Cornwallis was in charge of British
forces in the South.
• The guerilla warfare used in the south caught the
British off guard.
• Attacks from Americans led by Francis Marion and
Nathaneal Greene cost Cornwallis time and supplies.
• After a victory at Kings Mountain, many Southerners
decided they wanted the war to be over and supported
the Patriots.

14. The Final Phase
• Cornwallis, desperate for new
supplies and soldiers, decided
to move his troops to
Yorktown, Virginia in April
1781.
• George Washington learns of
Cornwallis’s plan and secretly
decides to attack the British at
Yorktown.
• At Washington’s request, a
large French fleet of warships
sails up to the Chesapeake
Bay.
• American and French troops
marched 200 miles in 15 days.

15. The Final Phase
• 200 miles in 15 days.
• Cornwallis was trapped by
Washington, Rochambeau,
Lafayette, and de Grasse’s
French Fleet (couldn’t receive
new supplies).
• The 7,500 British troops were
surrounded by 14,000
American & French soldiers.
• With his supplies very low,
Cornwallis surrendered to
Washington in October 1781.
• The Battle of Yorktown
became the last major battle
of the American Revolution.

16. The Treaty of Paris of 1783

17. The Treaty of Paris of 1783
North America After the
Treaty of Paris, 1783

18. The Treaty of Paris of 1783
• John Adams, Ben Franklin & John Jay went to
Paris to work out the terms of the treaty.
1) Britain recognized America as an independent nation
2) American claimed land from the Atlantic Ocean to the
Mississippi River and from Canada to Spanish Florida
3) Britain promised to withdraw all troops from America
4) Britain gave America the right to fish in waters off of
Canada
• The Treaty of Paris of 1783 officially ended the
Revolutionary War.
• America agreed British merchants could collect
debts owed from Americans, and Loyalists
would be given back their property.

19. Influences of the American Revolution
• How did America defeat the world’s strongest
power?
1) Fought on their own land
2) Received help from other nations
3) The determination and spirit of the Patriots
• In 1776, the American colonists began a
revolution, making clear the principles of
freedom and rights outlined in the Declaration
of Independence.
• The American Revolution would later inspire the
French Revolution as well as Haiti’s fight for
independence from France.