Overview
Declaration of Independence Turning point of the war Help arrives The last stand What’s next?
Declaration of Independence
When was is ratified? Who wrote? What does it say? Who would receive the document?
The response
King George receives the declaration What is his reaction? King George hires mercenaries Hessians Sends them where?
Battle for New York City
King George sends Hessians to Gen.. Howe Howe moves to take New York Many ships in harbor--looked a like forest Over 8,000 Hessians move in New York City falls
New Jersey Victories
Christmas of 1776 Washington crosses Delaware Catches Hessians off guard Over 1,000 dead or captured Patriots gain supplies March towards Princeton Take Princeton
Significance?
Take much needed supplies Prove that the Hessians could be beat Gain more support for the war effort Men began to re-enlist New recruits
Battle in the Mohawk Valley
Gen.. Arnold had an alliance with N.A. Had N.A. go ahead and warn Brits of a large
army advancing Brits leave quickly--leave everything Bonus for Patriots to gain more supplies Mohawk N.A. side with loyalist and help fight
against Patriots Why?
Saratoga
Burgoyne needed more troops and supplies Forced to make a critical decision Tried to raid Bennington--failed Gates and Arnold attack for several days Burgoyne is surrounded and forced to
surrender--6,000 troops North is now secure
Why was it a turning point?
North is secure France decides to join the fight Gives valuable weapons and money Spain joins and defeats British in the
Mississippi Valley and Florida South becomes secure
Valley Forge
Winter of 1777-1778 Horrible winter and thousands deserted Several leaders emerged to help Lafayette Baron de Kalb Baron von Steuben
Baron Von Steuben
Trained soldiers Knew European techniques Taught troops to successfully use bayonets Within one month troops were able to
execute all drills In Philly, troops engaged Brits and proved
they could fight the best (Euro style)
War on the Frontier
George Rogers Clark Took troops down Ohio to Kaskaskia Took the fort with resistance Moved to Vincennes and took the fort Lost fort in the winter Reclaimed the fort and most the Ohio river
valley area as well as OH, IN, IL
War on the High Seas
John Paul Jones Navy consisted of “Privateers” British controlled the seas b/c of blockade Hit and run tactics Serpais v Bonhomme Richard --British ship
against Jones--”I have not yet begun to fight”
Battle in the South
Many loyalist helped the British Slaves served as guides b/c of promised
freedom--many were resold in West Indies British capture Savannah--all of GA falls 1780 Charleston falls--nearly all of patriot
forces are captured
Swamp Fox
Francis Marion Led a small group men to help patriots Knew the swamps of the area and used
these swamps to his advantage Guerilla Warfare
Nathanael Greene
A former Quaker--expelled from the religion
Sent to aid the southern fight Won the help of Cherokee Used his hit and run tactics to avoid large
battles Won the south
Battle of Yorktown
Yorktown along the Chesapeake British opposition to the war grew Most of the in Virginia Base camp for British Gen. Cormwallis
Yorktown
Washington in New York Rochambeau in Rhode Island French fleet in the West Indies Washington/ Rochambeau march towards
Yorktown French Fleet sails for Chesapeake
Yorktown
Washington and Rochambeau surround the British from the west allowing only one way out--by sea
French Fleet arrive and push back British fleet
Cornwallis forced to surrender 8,000 troops surrender
Patriots Win
Why did they win? What were some crucial points? Who deserves the credit? What also played an important role for
independence?
Treaty of Paris 1783
The United States was independent Boundaries est..--what were they? Fishing rights Each side would repay debts owed British would return slaves Congress would recommend that property
taken from loyalist be returned