Immigrants from other countries came to help train and fight with Patriots
blockade
warships prevented supplies and reinforcements from reaching an area
General William Howe
British commander at the beginning of the Revolution
Battle of Yorktown
Last major battle of the Revolutionary War. Cornwallis and his troops were trapped in the Chesapeake Bay by the French fleet. He surrendered October 19, 1781.
Battle of Saratoga
American victory over British troops in 1777 that was a turning point in the American Revolution with French becoming Allies
General Charles Cornwallis
British general who fought the Patriots in the south; surrounded at Yorktown and surrendered to George Washington
mercenary
hired soldier
Benjamin Franklin
Ambassador to France, signed Treaty of Paris
Why did the British move the war to the South?
Loyalist support and sea power would be British advantages
British strategy in New England
Control the Hudson River, cut-off New England from other colonies
Role of Women in the war
some served as nurses, Molly Pitcher famous for helping when her husband was killed, most ran businesses and farms
inflation
when it takes more and more money to buy the same amount of goods
Juan de Miralles
Spanish who convinced Cuba, Spain, and Mexico to send financial aid to Patriots
privateer
privately owned ship outfitted with weapons
Issues for Patriots in enlisting recruits:
hard to find qualified officers, didn't have enough money to pay soldiers, short enlistment periods
Treaty of Paris
1. US recognized as an independent nation
2. Britain withdrawl troops
3. US pay British Merchants for debt
4. US return property taken from loyalists
Battle of Trenton and Princeton
a 1776 battles in New Jersey in which George Washington's troops crossed the Delaware River and captured a Hessian (German mercenaries fighting for the British)
How did geography lead to the war ending in Yorktown?
Yorktown was a peninsula (surrounded on 3 sides by water), British could escape and didn't have reinforcements
How did the Declaration of Independence impact the views of women and slavery in the United States?
Many questioned roll of women in society as well as roll of slavery.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey moved to abolish slavery
British Advantages
Strong Navy, well-trained army, finances, greater population
ratify
to approve officially
Explain how the Patriots were able to defeat the British blockades.
Used privateers
George Washington
Commander of the Continental Army
Explain why the Americans won the war.
1. Fought on own land
2. British moved troops and supplies across the ocean
3. Harder to move reinforcements
4. Ambushed- surprise attacks
What was the final battle and who won the Revolution?
Yorktown, United States
Friedrich von Steuben
from Prussia, helped train Patriots at Valley Forge
recruit
to enlist in the military
ambush
a surprise attack
Explain how hit-and-run tactics (guerrilla warfare) forced the British to retreat to Yorktown, VA.
These tactics slowly weakened British forces and they were forced to retreat for reinforcements
Battle of Long Island
A 1776 battle in New York in which more than 1,400 Americans were killed, wounded, or captured forcing Patriots to retreat to New Jersey/Pennsylvania
Role of African Americans in the war
served both sides, British promised freedom, 5,000 served with Patriots
American Allies
France/Spain
siege
blocking the movement of people or goods into or out of a place
Patriots
People who supported independence
Casimir Pulaski
Polish cavalry officer; trained soldiers to ride in battle
Loyalists
supported the British
Patriot Advantages
Fighting on own ground, motivation for independence, George Washington
Thaddeus Kosciusko
Polish engineer who served in the Continental Army
Marquis de Lafayette
trusted aide to Washington, general, from France
Your experience on this site will be improved by allowing cookies.