ch 6 sec 1. short war? british thought they’d crush the americans quickly. americans thought the...

Ch 6 Sec 1

Short war?• British thought they’d crush the Americans

quickly.• Americans thought the British would get tired

of it and go home.• John Adams: We shall have a long… and

bloody war to go through.• British General William Howe hoped the sheer

size of his army would convince Patriots to give up.

British Advantages

• Strongest navy in the world• Experienced, well-trained army• Wealth of a world-wide empire• 8 million people• Summer of 76 32,000 troops sent to NY

Colonial disadvantages

• Lacked a regular army/strong navy• Weapons/ammunition in short supply• Volunteered for short periods of time• Lack of support (1/3-1/5 were Loyalists/Tories)• Quakers opposed all armed conflict

Reasons for being Loyalist (Tory)

• Anglican church• British jobs• Feared potential disorder of change• Did not understand the need

Lord Dunmore

• Royal Gov of Virginia• Offered freedom to

any slave that enlisted with the Brits

Patriot Advantages

• Fighting on own ground• Fighting for their own freedom• Leadership of George Washington

Hessians• German mercenaries • From Hesse in

Germany

Difficulties for Continental Army

• 13 colonies had own militias• Soldiers signed up for 1 year• Enlistments eventually extended• Difficult to recruit officers• Lack of funds – army life difficult

Women and their roles

• Margaret Corbin – fought after husband died• Molly Pitcher – “Moll of the pitcher”• Deborah Sampson – disguised herself as a boy

and enlisted

Nathan Hale • Teacher from Conn.• Spied on British troops

on Long Island• Disguised as Dutch

schoolteacher• Caught and hanged• “I only regret that I have

but one life to lose for my country.”

British Plan of 1777• Take Albany, NY

• Gain control of Hudson River

• Separate New England from Mid Col.

• General John Burgoyne south from Canada• LC Barry St. Leger east from Lake Ontario• General William Howe north from NYC

General Burgoyne• Traveled with 30

wagons of luxury• Daniel Morgan’s men

slowed their march• Picked off scouts and

then officers• Lost the Battle of

Saratoga

Bunker HillAmerican leader Colonel William Prescott “Don’t fire until you see the whites of

their eyes.”British leader Major General William Howe and Brigadier General Robert Pigot

Winner? British

Details 2,200 British vs. 1,200 AmericansBrit casualties = 1,000 Americans casualties = 450Actually fought on Breed’s Hill – Bunker Hill was the goal

*Pyrrhic victory – immediate gain was modest and the loss was significant

Long IslandAmerican leader General George Washington

British leader General William Howe

Winner British

Details August ‘76First major battle after Declaration signed1,000 American POWs put on prison ships

Trenton, NJAmerican leader George Washington

British leader German – Johann Rall

Winner? Americans

Details Xmas night 17762,400 American troops crossed icy Delaware RiverSurprised British in the morningWashington’s troops gained confidenceContinental Army was badly needed suppliesNew enlistments and reenlistments roseNearly the entire Hessian force was captured

PhiladelphiaAmerican leader George Washington

British leader William Howe

Winner? Brits

Details Howe chose to stay in Philly instead of heading north to help Burgoyne.General Howe resigned during the occupation of PhillyGeneral Henry Clinton took over the British command

SaratogaAmerican leader General Horatio Gates

British leader Burgoyne

Winner Americans

Details Surrendered Oct 17, 1777Burgoyne was waiting for reinforcements that never arrived