Dark Hours for the Revolution

Comparing Strengths and Weaknesses

• Great Britain’s advantages:–More money and resources

–Powerful army

–Largest Navy (US does not have one)

Comparing Strengths and Weaknesses

• Colonists’ Advantages:– Americans supported Revolution so

British army deals with angry citizens

Comparing Strengths and Weaknesses

• Colonists’ Advantages:–We fight on home ground but British

have to ship supplies across ocean

Comparing Strengths and Weaknesses

• Colonists’ Advantages:–British were mercenaries or hired

foreign soldier while Patriots fighting for cause they believed in

A Call to Arms

• American Soldiers–230,000 American soldiers

–145,000 join local militias

–Many teenagers

A Call to Arms

• Should African Americans join army?–Washington bans African Americans

because southerners say NO!!

A Call to Arms

• Should African Americans join army?

–Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation – freedom for any slave who fights for British

Thousands of slaves agree!!

A Call to Arms

• Should African Americans join army?–American army in trouble and will now

let free African Americans serve

5,000 African Americans join

Other Sources of Help

• American Indians– Indian leader Thayendanegea

persuades Iroquois Indians to help British

–Patriots try to keep Indians neutral

Other Sources of Help

• Women–Ran farms and businesses while men

fought

– raise money for supplies or start sewing groups

Other Sources of Help

• Women“At every house Women and children are making cartridges, running Bullets…and at the same time animating (encouraging) their Husbands and Sons to fight.”

Other Sources of Help

• Women–Also serve as messengers, nurses

and spies

Other Sources of Help

• Women–Mary Ludwig Hays, aka Molly Pitcher,

brings water to thirsty troops and loads cannons when husband is injured

British Victories

• Canada–Patriots capture St. Johns and

Montreal, Canada

British Victories

• Canada–British defeat Americans when they

try to attack them in Quebec during snow storm

British Victories

• New York –British drive Americans off of Long

Island

–British take all American’s supplies and Americans forced to retreat