The War for Independence

1. The War for Independence • Originally entitled Yankee Doodle • painted by A. M. Willard • came to be known as The Spirit of '76 • it is a familiar symbol of American patriotism

2. War for Independence • The shot heard ‘round the world has been fired • The first battle, The Battle of Bunker Hill, has taken place • Independence has been declared

3. The British Strategy • The British dispatched to America the largest force Great Britain had ever assembled anywhere • Such a large force would mean a quick victory • Capture major American cities • New York City • Capture the capital, Philadelphia • Isolate New England colonies/divide the colonies • Blockade the coast • Win a big military victory in one battle • A clear cut military victory would bring about regaining colonial allegiance

4. The Patriot Plan • Only fight when could/had a good chance to inflict damage • Use Native American attack method for fighting • Hit and run • Take out the Native American scouts • Wouldn’t know the land • Start targeting British officers • Leave the foot soldiers leaderless • Fight a war of attrition

5. The American Army • Young single and footloose enlisted for long periods of time • Farmers with families enlisted for short periods of time • Northern states turned to blacks (free and slaves) • Most slaves in the north won their freedom • Women followed the camps are cooks, nurses, launderers • Mary Hays = Molly Pitcher • At home women run the farms and shops so that the men could fight Mary “Molly Pitcher” at the battle of Monmouth

6. American Strengths • Washington’s leadership • No all out major battle • lost most of his battles BUT leadership saved his army to fight anther day • Fighting on home ground • Inspiring cause • Help from other nations • France (navy)

7. The British problems • Defeats on the battlefield did not lead to the abandonment of colonial political aim of Independence • Only 5% of the population lived in the cities captured by the British • The Americans would not fight a conventional European war – they were trained in open battlefield • Did not take the Patriots seriously • Hessians • Relied too heavily on them • No real reason to fight – except $$$ • Colonist hated them for their brutal reputation • Long distance from home/supplies • Unfamiliar with land • Weak military leadership British General Howe

8. Fighting in the New England • British Attack New York • Largest invasion fleet at that time (D-day) • Biggest attack on New York (until 9/11) • Washington losses New York • Surprise Battle of Trenton • Crossing the Delaware River • On Christmas night/day • Surprised garrison of Hessians • Modest victory raised the sprits of the troops

9. Washington Crossing the Delaware

10. Fighting in the Middle Colonies • Battle of Princeton • Washington inflicted heavy casualties on British troops • “It is a fine day for a hunt” • Becomes a hero by rally his troops by riding out in front of them • Raised moral and encouraged more men to enlist • Washington lost Philadelphia • Continental Congress on the run

11. Washington at the Battle of Princeton

12. Battle of Saratoga • Turning point of the war • Players • British General Johnny Burgoyne • British General St. Leger • British General Howe • American General Ethan Allan • American General Arthur Sinclair • American General Horatio Gates • Daniel Morgan and his widow makers • American General Benedict Arnold

13. Battle Saratoga • Burgoyne would march towards Saratoga following the Hudson River • Meet up with St. Leger and Howe • Cut the colonies into two parts Gen Johnny Burgoyne

14. Burgoyne’s Problem • “Gentlemen” Johnny Burgoyne • Terrain • dense forest hard to cut through • Patriots cut down trees for road blocks • Advance just one mile a day • They created enemies where ever they went • Poor treatment of the locals and farmers • New type of American Solider • Daniel Morgan and his sharp shooters • New technology • American long rifles • Light weight • Grooves inside the barrel which spins the shot giving the marksmen greater accuracy • Can hit a target 250 yards away – twice the range of the British musket Daniel Morgan

15. What Saratoga does for the cause • America had proof they would beat the British regulars • British confidence takes a blow • French recognizes America independence • Openly support the war effort • Navy forces the British to fight on land and sea General Burgoyne surrenders to General Gates

16. The British Move South • After Saratoga, England changes strategy and moves South • Could serve as a vase for attacking the North • Many Loyalist in the South • Howe is replaced with Clinton • Early victories convince him Southern strategy is the way to go! • Charleston, SC falls to the British • Clintongoes back to New York – replaced with Cornwallis • Gen Horatio Gates and Nathanael Greene is in charge of American forces in South

17. At Cowpens • Little Battle – 3, 000 men • American Gen Daniel Morgan vs. British Gen Tarleton (Patriot movie) • Morgan picked a spot so that the men had to fight • Victory for Americans

18. Guildford Court House • Took place in Greensboro, NC • Pyrrhic victory for Cornwallis • Most of army has been destroyed Greensboro, NC National Park

19. Cornwallis leaves South Carolina • Headed for Virginia • Joined with Benedict Arnold (Am traitor) • Washington and French General Rochambeau discuss going after Cornwallis • Word comes from West Indies, “de Grasse will arrive with French fleet!” • American troops head for Virginia with 16,000 men

21. Yorktown • Lay siege to Yorktown • Cornwallis is trapped • British navy not coming • Cornwallis sues for peace • “The World Turned Upside Down” • News reaches England • We have had enough • Parliament votes to cease offensive and begin peace negotiations