Ch.7, Sec.1 – The Early Years of the War

Americans Divided

- 20% of Americans were Loyalists, 40% were Patriots, and 40% were neutral

- most Americans did not support the American Revolution!

- New England & Virginia had a high number of Patriots, where the major cities & the South had a high number of Loyalists

- Native-Americans were also divided on the side to fight with

- African-Americans were told by both sides they would be freed if they fought for that side in the war (5,000 were Patriots!)

Ch.7, Sec.1 – The Early Years of the War

Ch.7, Sec.1 – The Early Years of the War

Creating an Army

- in June of 1775, George Washington was given the command of the Continental army

- most soldiers were untrained & undisciplined militia volunteers

- Washington’s army never numbered higher than 17,000 soldiers

- the army was not well-funded with food, shoes, guns, & ammunition

Ch.7, Sec.1 – The Early Years of the War

Struggle for the Middle States

- after Washington forced the British to surrender Boston, he took his men to New York City

- England used port cities for bringing in supplies to fight the war

- in July of 1776 in New York City, Washington fought against General William Howe & his 9,000 Hessian mercenaries for several months

Ch.7, Sec.1 – The Early Years of the War

- the British eventually forced Washington to retreat to New Jersey

- with many of Washington’s men scheduled to end their enlistment on the 31st of December, he decided to use a surprise attack on the British!

- on December 25th, 1776, he and his men crossed the Delaware River and attacked the Hessians, killing 900

- Washington won at Princeton too, proving America could fight England!!!

Ch.7, Sec.1 – The Early Years of the War

General George Washington Crossing the Delaware River to attack Trenton!

Ch.7, Sec.1 – The Early Years of the War

Ch.7, Sec.1 – The Early Years of the War

Britain’s Strategy

- after the defeats at Trenton & Princeton, England started devising a strategy to seize the Hudson River Valley

- this way the English could cut off the New England colonies from the other colonies

- 3 English armies would meet in Albany, New York to defeat the Patriots:

Ch.7, Sec.1 – The Early Years of the War

1. General John Burgoyne would lead a force south from Canada

2. Lieutenant Colonel Barry St. Leger would lead his army from Lake Ontario down the Mohawk Valley

3. General William Howe would follow the Hudson River north from New York City

- in July of 1777, Burgoyne captured Fort Ticonderoga

- after the capture, Burgoyne had a very difficult time reaching the Hudson which eventually took him 4 weeks to reach!!!

- Howe decided not to rendezvous with Burgoyne, opting instead to attack Washington in Pennsylvania

Ch.7, Sec.1 – The Early Years of the War

- Burgoyne needed Howe’s troops to help defeat the Patriots in Albany, so he was not pleased with Howe’s decision

- Howe invaded Pennsylvania & George Washington in Sept. of 1777 and forced Washington to retreat in the Battle of Brandywine

- in October, Washington attacked Howe at Germantown, Pennsylvania, but lost again & retreated

General William Howe

Ch.7, Sec.1 – The Early Years of the War

Ch.7, Sec.1 – The Early Years of the War

Battles Along the Mohawk River

- St. Leger also had a difficult time getting to Albany after fleeing from Fort Stanwix once hearing Benedict Arnold had a large army ready to attack

- St. Leger’s information was incorrect, but he still fled!

- St. Leger & Howe were now both unable to rendezvous with Burgoyne at Albany

Ch.7, Sec.1 – The Early Years of the War

Saratoga: A Turning Point

- on Sept. 19, 1777, Burgoyne realized he would have to break through large fortifications the Patriots had created on a ridge near Saratoga, New York and he attacked

- the Patriots were led by General Horatio Gates on the ridge & Benedict Arnold on the nearby farming areas – both areas were able to inflict heavy casualties on the British troops

- Arnold again attacked on Oct. 7, 1777, which ended all hopes of a British win and Burgoyne finally surrendered in what came to be known as the Battles of Saratoga

Ch.7, Sec.1 – The Early Years of the War

General John Burgoyne surrendering to General Horatio Gates at Saratoga!

Ch.7, Sec.1 – The Early Years of the War

Ch.7, Sec.1 – The Early Years of the War

- the Battles of Saratoga had two effects on the American Revolution:

1. Benedict Arnold felt Congress was not honoring him enough for his role in Saratoga, so he turned against the Patriots and tried to surrender Saratoga to the British, but was caught

2. Saratoga proved to other European countries that the rebels could fight effectively against England, so many think about supporting their fight against the British!!!