Lesson 7 - The American Revolution Part 2 Flashcards
American Strengths
Patriotism-people were willing to defend and give their lives for their country
American Weaknesses
Continental army was small and always short of soldiers
British Strengths
Soldiers outnumbered the Continental army & had mercenaries known as Hessians and recruited Loyalists, African Americans, and Native Americans
British Weaknesses
Sending troops and supplies from Great Britain to North America was slow and costly
African Americans
Early in the war Washington did not want them to fight fearing the army would be a way to become runaway slaves. The British promised them freedom, but Washington changed his mind because there was a shortage of troops.
Battle of New York
Washington used the Declaration of Independence as a motive for the troops to fight for independence. Inexperience and lack of training for the Americans was too much, and they lost this battle losing over 1400 men. General Howe ordered a halt in the attack assuming Americans would surrender, but Washington did not and retreated hungry and cold
The Crisis
Thomas Paine’s pamphlet reminding Americans that real patriots hold onto their beliefs even in hard times. As a result Washington had a new plan to attack the Hessian troops camped in Trenton, New Jersey.
Battle of Trenton
On Christmas night, Washington crossed the icy Delaware in boats despite being bitterly cold and having worn out shoes and guns too wet to fire. The Americans caught the Hessians by surprise and they surrendered. This battle improved the morale of the Americans showing they can beat the British.
Battle of Saratoga
Americans outnumbered Burgoyne and attacked. British accepted defeat. It was a turning point in the war as France became an ally of the Americans sending money, troops, weapons, and warships. Spain also entered the war against Great Britain.
Valley Forge
The winter was particularly harsh, and the army was short on food, clothing, and supplies. The leadership of George Washington and Baron von Steuben made sure they were fed, clothed and trained as better, tougher soldiers.
Baron Friedrich von Steuben
Turned the Continental army into an organized fighting force and used a continuous drill.
Marquis de Lafayette
He helped raise the troops’ spirits, and he used his own money to buy the men warm clothing.
Battle in the South
The British had a successful attack on Savannah, Georgia. They tried to take the Carolinas but guerrillas, soldiers who are not part of a regular army, attacked the British and then faded into the swamps and forests. Washington sent General Nathanael Greene to slow the British advance through the South. While the army was too small to meet Cornwallis in a major battle, they led Cornwallis’s troops on an exhausting chase through the southern backcountry.
Battle of Yorktown
France sent 3,000 troops along with 29 French warships. Washington moved his army south to Virginia, joined the French, and surrounded Yorktown on land with more than 16,000 troops. French warships sealed off the entrance to Chesapeake Bay. American and French troops formed two long lines that stretched for more than a mile along the road to Yorktown and the British laid down their guns.
Casimir Pulaski
the Father of American cavalry (horseback) who convinced Washington and the American army to organize a cavalry division.
