The American Revolution: 1776-1783

1. The American Revolution: 1776-1783 The War is Won

2. Vive la France • Critical point in the war • Both needing a victory to win the war • Both making plans to outsmart the other • Patriots waited for aid from French • Brits waited for Washington to attack • July 1780- • French warships appear off coast of RI ! • Carried more than 5,000 soldiers under French General Rochambeau • Crowds cheered their bright uniforms & plumage • French aid had arrived at last but… • Brit fleet arrived soon after trapping them off RI • Fall 1780- • Washington camps just north of NYC • He could keep eye on Clinton and Brits in NYC • Plan was to attack as soon as 2nd fleet of French arrive • Don’t arrive for almost another year!!!

3. Change in Plans • Washington knew of the fighting in the south • Knew Cornwallis was bottled up at Yorktown, VA • G-Dub had previously sent Lafayette’s troops to keep them from north • August 1781- 2nd French fleet heads to the Chesapeake instead of NYC • Washington hatches NEW Patriot plan… • Keep Clinton thinking they would attack NYC, but secretly move south instead • This would keep Clinton in the north • Can’t help Cornwallis from disaster approaching • Rochambeau and Washington secretly march 200 miles in 15 days to meet up w/ Lafayette north of Yorktown • Meet up w/ 2 French fleets • Basically… • 3 armies north • 2 French fleets off east coast • Continental Army of the south (left intact when Cornwallis gave up on Carolinas) • All surrounding Cornwallis’ army @ Yorktown, VA

4. The Siege of Yorktown • Washington wondered if complicated plan would work • Hoped he had fooled Clinton • Hoped French fleet would reach Yorktown in time • 5 September 1781 • G-Dub receives news that fleet is nearly there • Plan worked perfectly, and Brits still bored waiting in NYC!!! • 14,000 Patriot and French troops had the 7,500 Brit and Hessian troops of Cornwallis trapped!!! • French fleets kept Cornwallis from escaping by sea • Continentals of South kept from retreating south • Meanwhile, Clinton sits and waits bored in NYC waiting for the attack that would never come Are these guys ever gonna attack… I am soooo bored!!!

5. Cornwallis’ Defeat • 9 October 1781- • American and French forces begin massive bombardment • So extreme, bodies lay everywhere of Cornwallis’ army • Supplies run low for Brits and so many soldiers dead or wounded • Cornwallis realizes the hopelessness of the situation • 19 October 1781- • Cornwallis surrenders • Patriots had won the Battle of Yorktown • Brits marched b/t rows of French and Patriot forces handing over their weapons • Cornwallis surrenders his sword to Washington!

6. Independence • Fighting didn’t end @ Yorktown • Brits still held Savannah, Charles Town, & NYC • Few more fights but… • Victory @ Yorktown convinces crown war too costly to con’t • 2 sides send delegates to Paris to work out treaty • Ben Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay for USA • 3 September 1783- Treaty of Paris signed ending the war • Also peace treaties b/t French and Spanish too • Terms for Brits • Great Britain would recognize USA as independent nation • Land claim from Atlantic to Mississippi R. and Canada to Spanish Florida • Brits withdraw all troops from territory • Fishing rights off coast of Canada • Terms for USA • USA would allow Brit merchants to collect debts from colonists • Loyalist land would be returned

7. The Newburgh Conspiracy • After surrender, Washington maintained army w/ HQ @ Newburgh, NY • Plan was to disband after peace treaty signed • Anger mounted but not toward Brits • Congress refused to fund their pensions, and other pay • Distrust so bad… • Plan to not disband and march on Congress if not paid • Washington shocked and worried • Revolt like this could destroy new nation!!! • Persuaded army to be patient • He met w/ Congress urged them to pay • Washington’s leadership ended threat and Congress got busy writing checks • British troops leave NYC in Nov. 1783 • War truly over • Washington could finally give up his command • 4 December 1783- Washington says farewell to his troops • He returned home to Mount Vernon where he planned on retiring quietly

8. Why the Americans Won • How did they manage to win? • How defeat strongest military in world? • Patriots had several advantages… • Fought on own land • French and Spanish aid • Soldiers, navy, generals, $$$ • Blocked Brit navy • Brits could control cities, but not countryside • Patriots knew terrain, and could hide easily • Brave, impulsive generals • Most important… • It was the people’s cause • Had personal interest in outcome • Determination and spirit that could never be beaten

9. The Influence of the American Revolution on the World • 1776- colonists began a revolution • Making clear principles of freedom and rights of people • Ideas lead influence to French people to question their own lives • Ideas shouted by French rebels during French Revolution in 1789 • Caribbean Islands push for independence as well • But from France!?! • When France overthrown by natives and slaves in Caribbean, Haiti in particular… • European control in the New World began to quickly disappear