American Revolution

I can compare the advantages and disadvantages of both the British

and Continental Army

British Advantages/ Disadvantages

• Strengths• More soldiers-50,000

men plus 30,000 Hessians as well as loyalists, slaves, Indians

• Well trained and experienced

• Well supplied with weapons, food, uniforms, etc.

• Weakness• Distance made sending

troops slow and costly• The British were not

passionate about defeating the rebels

• Poor leadership

American Strengths/ Weaknesses

• Strengths• Aide from the French• George Washington a

great leader who inspired confidence

• Weaknesses• Undersized army• Poorly trained• Poorly supplied with

weapons, food, uniforms, etc.

__ I can Identify major engagements of the war in the North

___ New York___ Trenton and Princeton___ Saratoga___ Valley Forge___ Monmouth___ Crisis (Pamphlet)

New York• America sets up to

defend New York• British arrive and

defeat the Americans- greater numbers and training

• British fail to seal the deal, Washington escapes- but is chased, many defeats

• Patriots question if the war can be won

The “Crisis”- Thomas Paine• Pamphlet written to gain

support for the cause• These are the times that try

men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.

Trenton and Princeton• Trenton- Washington crosses the Delaware and

surprises the Hessians – Victory• Princeton- Washington defeats British• Patriot’s believe in the cause once again

Saratoga• New strategy – tire

out the British• Burgoyne marches

his army down from Canada through the wilderness

• Militia troops swarm in and defeat Burgoyne- Guerilla warfare

• France joins in by sending money, weapons and troops

• Spain also declares war on Britain

Valley Forge• Winter camp- hunger

and sickness• Washington trains his

men to keep their minds off of the misery ( Baron Friedrich von Steuben)

• Marquis de Lafayette joins the cause- becomes Washington’s closet advisor

Monmouth

• Washington chases the British back to New York

• After two years they are back to where they started

• The war in the North is over

___ I can summarize the position of the Continental Army in regards to:

___ Success___ Failure___ Sickness___ Desertion___ Leadership

Success and Failure• The Continental Army lost

most of their battles because they were unable to execute basic tactics and were usually outnumbered

• The Continental Army was able to have reasonable success after Washington refuses to put his army at risk. He would only attack if he had a distinct advantage. Tire out the British. Play Defense and frustrate the British army and people

Sickness/Desertion

• Due to disease, the Continental Army is going to lose more men to sickness than British bullets. Poor supplies kept conditions unbearable

• Desertion was a major problem. Soldiers had to have great resolve to stay in the army. No pay and bad conditions made many soldiers desert

Leadership

• George Washington was an excellent leader. He could not match the British in tactics but he did know how to get an advantage. Washington was able to give his men confidence and hold his army together.

I can summarize the shift of the war to the South and the success led to the end of the war

___Guerrilla Warfare___ Yorktown___ Treaty of Paris

The War goes South

• British try a new strategy – the British army would go south since there are many loyalist

• British quickly take Georgia and the Carolinas

Guerrilla Warfare• Guerrillas used hit

and run tactics to harass the British

• The army led the British on a chase through the South- Hit and retreat

• The British army was exhausted- went Yorktown to rest

Yorktown• Washington links

up with the French army and navy

• The British are surrounded by French and American army- and the French navy keeps the British from escaping

• After several days the battles is won- America wins

Treaty of Paris• The United States

would be recognized as an independent country

• British gave up all land claims from the east coast to the Mississippi except for Canada

• Loyalist would get all rights and property back

I can summarize the impact of French involvement in the War

Impact of the French

• French provided much needed supplies for the Continental Army

• They provided men and also a navy• They also were able to attack other British

colonies around the world which spread the British military.

• The war would take longer and cost more for the British

I can explain the development of State Constitutions in the war

State Constitutions

• Once independence was declared England was no longer in charge

• Each state had to rewrite it’s constitution- a plan of government

• Many ideas from these constitutions will be put in the U.S. Constitution

___ Summarize the impact of the war on ___ Women___ African Americans___ American Indians

Impact on Women

• Women would not gain the same freedoms as men. They still can not vote, but they earn more respect with in the country

Impact on African Americans• Many African

Americans fought for the British because they would be given their freedom

• African Americans were used in the Continental army towards the end of the war. About 15%

• Many states will adopt measures to end slavery during the war

Impact on American Indians• With the loss of the

British support, Indians will not be able to survive the onslaught of western migration after the war

• They will lose their land