Journal #17•Redcoats – British soldiers during the Revolution

•Mercenaries – foreign soldiers that are hired to fight in a war that doesn’t involve their own country

•Ally – a person, group or nation that is associated with another for a common cause or purpose (the opposite of enemy)

•Guerrilla Warfare – a method of fighting which uses small groups in quick hit and run attacks

Dark Hours of the Revolution6.3

Bonus Questions• What was the name of the army that was created to

defend the colonies? Who was the commander?

• How did George Washington get the cannons used to drive the British out of Boston in 1776?

• Why was Thomas Paine’s Common Sense so important?

• Who wrote most of the Declaration of Independence?

• Who was the famous Patriot traitor in the Revolutionary War?

Quotes of the Day• “Associate with men of good

quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.”

• “Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.”

• “It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.”

• George Washington

George Washington (1732 – 1799)• 1st President of U.S. (1789-1797)• Leader of the Continental Army• Presided over the writing of the Constitution• Developed presidential rituals (cabinet, inaugural speech)• Born in Virginia to a wealthy slave owning family• At 6 foot 2, he was much taller than most people at this

time, he had XXXL hands – his gloves had to be specially made

• He lived at Mount Vernon – a 5,000 acre estate in Virginia• He enjoyed fox hunting, dancing, theater, cock fights,

cards and billiards• Only president to receive 100 percent of the electoral vote• He had teeth made of hippo and elephant ivory and human

and horse teeth• He was privately against slavery, but owned slaves and did

not speak out against it publicly because he didn’t want to split the country

Advantages for Each SideBritish Patriots1. More money and

resources

2. A powerful military with highly trained professionals

3. The largest navy in the world

1. Most citizens supported the Revolution

2. Did not have to ship their supplies across the Atlantic

3. Fighting for a cause they believed in

A Call to Arms• Washington had to recruit and organize troops for the

Continental Army

• 230,000 Americans fight for the Continental Army during the war, 145,000 more join local militias

• These volunteers came from many different backgrounds▫Many were teenagers (13 and up)▫Some African Americans (Washington banned them from

joining for a while)▫Very few had combat experience

Revolutionary Muskets• Muskets were the most common type of guns used in the

Revolution

• Both the British and the Patriots used muskets

• Most muskets could be loaded with a single shot or multiple shots (grape shot)

• They had a short range and were very inaccurate

• They were usually .69 to .75 caliber

• Brown Bess (below)

The Long Rifle• This was the gun that many Patriots

on the frontier used

• AKA the Kentucky Rifle – the word rifle means that it has a grooved barrel

• Shoots farther and more accurately than a musket – it was used for special missions that required sharpshooting

• Takes longer to reload than a musket

• Lacks a bayonet

• .50 Caliber

Bayonets•Were swords attached to the end of muskets•Were one of the most dangerous weapons used•The Patriots did not have experience using

bayonets▫At first they used them to cook meat and for tent

stakes•Bayonet charges could make the enemy retreat•Getting wounded with a bayonet was often deadly

because of their triangular shape and dullness

The British Recruit African American Slaves• In 1775, Lord Dunmore’s

Proclamation promised freedom to any slave who fought for the British

• Thousands of slaves joined the British

• Because of this, the Continental Army (Patriots) started allowing free African Americans to join▫ About 5,000 free African Americans

enlist

American Indians and the Revolution• American Indians fought on both

sides during the war

• More fought for the British – one of the most important was Thayendanegea – a Mohawk leader▫ AKA Joseph Brant – he

persuaded many Iroquois to support the British

• The Patriots worked to keep American Indians neutral

Women and the Revolution• Many women helped the Patriots

▫ Running businesses while men fought▫ Raising money and making supplies for

the army▫ Serving as messengers, nurses, spies,

and soldiers

• Deborah Sampson – disguised herself as a man to fight in the war

• Mary Ludwig Hays (AKA Molly Pitcher) – brought water to thirsty patriot troops, then helped load cannons after her husband was wounded

Early Battles•Many Patriot leaders wanted to fight a

defensive war – others wanted to take Canada

•In 1775, Patriot troops led by General Richard Montgomery took St. Johns and Montreal, Canada

•The next Canadian target was Quebec

Quebec• General Benedict Arnold led his

troops on a long march through Maine to meet Montgomery

• Together they planned an attack, but they had problems▫ The troops were cold and far from

home ▫ Many soldiers had enlistments

ending▫ They had no cannons to knock

down Quebec’s walls

• They decided to wait for a snowstorm which would provide cover

Quebec• During a blizzard on New Year’s Eve, the Patriots attack Quebec

• The Americans suffer a crushing defeat – Montgomery is killed and more than half of the Patriots in the battle become casualties (killed, captured, or wounded)

• The Patriots hopes of taking Canada fade

Washington’s Troops Are Defeated in New York – The Battle of Long island• Washington’s troops were in

New York

• Around July 3, 1776, the Patriots spotted a large fleet of British ships nearing New York

• General William Howe and the British drive the outnumbered and out supplied Continental Army out of New York

• The British capture many Patriots and valuable supplies

• Things look bad for the Patriots after this battle