Revolutionary War
1775-1783
Patriots Neutrals
–Colonists who supported the War
- “common” or “poor” people who did not want to become involved with the War
Loyalists (Tories)
•People who supported Great Britain because of economic ties
Factors Leading to Colonial Victory
Diplomatic
• Ben Franklin negotiated a treaty of alliance with France to help the colonists
Military
• General George Washington – Commander of the continental army
Military
• He kept army together despite lack of supplies, bad weather, and pay shortages
Military AdvantagesMilitary Advantages
• Colonial army had home field advantage
–Guerilla warfare: sneak attacks
• Desire to Win
–Fighting for freedom
Key Battles of Revolutionary War
Lexington and Concord (1775)
• First battles of the war
• Fought by Massachusetts Minutemen (militia) against British Army
• Won by Great Britain
Trenton (1776)• Gen Washington
crossed Delaware River on Christmas Night to attack British
• Colonial victory boosted morale for struggling army
Saratoga (1777)• First Significant
Colonial Victory
• Turning point of the war because France began to support the colonists
Yorktown (Oct. 1781)• Gen Washington
trapped British General Cornwallis with help of French General Lafayette
• Cornwallis surrendered ending the War
Treaty of Paris (1783)
• Officially ended the Revolutionary War
• Granted the colonies their full independence from Great Britain