Struggling Toward Saratoga

Struggling Toward Saratoga Chapter 4 Section 2

Do Now: Trivia: What was the first capital of the US. • Obj: • Trace Progress of war through the turning point at Saratoga • Examine the colonial economy and civilian life during the Revolution • HW: • Active Read 4.4 and Critical Thinking #3

VOCAB • Valley Forge • Trenton • Saratoga • Inflation • Profiteering

British War Strategy • March 1776 – British move troops out of Boston • Want to move war to Middle States • Attempt to end “rebellion” by isolating New England • British move to attack NYC…

Defeat in New York British American Washington has 23,000 men to defend NYC Vastly outnumbered Men untrained with poor equipment Americans retreat in August of 1776 Washington left with 8,000 who’s enlistment was soon up….he needed a victory!!! • British Gen. William and Admiral Richard Howe send 32,000 men into New York Harbor • Combine British soldiers and Hessian (German mercenaries) • Largest British force EVER assembled!

The Battle of Trenton • Washington had been pushed back into PA • Washington takes calculated risk and attacks Trenton on Christmas day • 2,400 of his men in small row boats cross the Delaware River into NJ • Surprise Hessian troops; who were still drunk from the night before and capture 918 men and 6 cannons • 8 days later Americans defeat 1,200 British @ Princeton • Moral victories that helped keep the “cause” going…

Isolate New England • Burgoyne’s Plan Against the Americans: • Was to lead an army down a route of lakes from Canada to Albany, where he would meet Howe’s troops as they arrived from NYC • Joint forces would isolate New England from the rest of the colonies • However; Howe would never meet Burgoyne in NYC….

Victory at Saratoga • Under Burgoyne’s Command: • 4,000 redcoats, 3,000 mercenaries, 1,000 Mohawk • Bad Luck: • Food supplies ran low • Clashing with Americans caused Burgoyne to lose many men • Howe was preoccupied with conquering and occupying Philadelphia that he wasn’t coming to meet him • Surrender at Saratoga: • Massed American troops surrounded Burgoyne • Burgoyne surrendered his army to General Gates • Surrender dramatically changed Britain’s war strategy: • British kept their troops along the coast • Close to the big guns, and supply bases of their fleet

Turning Point • The French were still bitter about the British defeating them in the French and Indian War • Secretly sending weapons to the Patriots since the previous year • Saratoga victory supported their trust in the American Army • French recognized the American independence and signed an alliance, or treaty of cooperation, in February 1778

Winter at Valley Forge • Washington’s struggles: • Awaiting the French aid Washington and his men were struggling to stay alive during the cold winter with primitive conditions • Soldiers suffered from frostbite • Surgeons worked constantly to try to save arms and limbs from amputation • 2,000 men died

POP QUIZ • What country were the Hessian mercenaries from? • Germany • What was the “turning point” in the American Revolution? • Battle of Saratoga • What river did Washington cross to attack the British at Trenton? • Delaware River

Struggling Toward Saratoga