*Chapter 7 Strengths and Weaknesses The Continental Army was put together quickly. The British had one of the world s strongest experienced army. American Strengths The American men fighting in the Continental Army had a lot of Patriotism (pride in their country). Many men were willing to die to defend the ideas of liberty and democracy. They no longer wanted a king to rule them. The Continental Army had a powerful strength in their leadership of General George Washington. He had a lot of experience in fighting in battles. He was an experienced commander (leader). During the war, Washington inspired courage and confidence to his soldiers by telling them words that made them feel they could win the war. At the beginning, the French supplied the Continental Army with 90% of the gunpowder they were using. Later, the French will use their soldiers and their navy. During the war, Washington had African Americans enlist to help because he needed more men. The slaves were hoping to get freedom after the war ended. Many Loyalists became patriots during the war because the British soldiers treated them unfairly. American Weaknesses Continental Army had many weaknesses during the American Revolutionary War. First they always had a shortage of Men. George Washington had 20,000 troops or less at times. The men would only enlist for six months to a year. Afterwards, they would go back to work on their farm and be with their families. Next, only a few men were trained for battle. Some were hunters and knew how to shoot from behind a tree. But they were inexperienced in fighting a large group of British soldiers face to face. Many men would turn and run. The Continental Army had scarcity (shortages) problems. The army did not have enough guns and gunpowder. Food supplies were always short. Many soldiers had to beg for handouts from people. They did not have extra uniforms for the soldiers. Many soldiers were shoeless in the winter. The Second Continental Congress lacked power to raise money for supplies by taxing colonists. This also caused an issue with proving ships to the small navy for the Continental Army. British Strengths The British was a professional army. They had more than 42,000 troops at all times. They were well trained in European military tactics. They excelled (did well) in large battle fighting by large troops on open ground. The British soldiers had more experience in firing artillery. The British were also well supplied such as: food, uniforms, weapons and ammunition. The British army also had a large navy with many fleets. The British also had many allies that helped them at the beginning. They recruited German Hessians as mercenaries (professional soldiers). They also had Loyalists supported them. Many African Americans helped the British because Great Britain promised them freedom afterwards. Some Native Americans helped the British too. British Weaknesses One problem the British army had was the distance from Great Britain to America. It took a long time to send the British troops and supplies across the Atlantic. The trip was slow and long. This also made it difficult for British leaders to come up with plan actions because by the time the soldiers made it to America, things changed. Another problem was the British people did not like the war. The King/Parliament couldn t convince British people that defeating the rebels would be important to Great Britain s future. The people were not happy paying lots of taxes as the war dragged on for years The third problem was the poor Leadership of Lord George Germain. He had no real experience how to defeat the rebels. He never set foot in North America. His plan to win the war was to conquer a city or two. He did not focus on defeating them state by state.
Great Britain Almost Wins the War Britain s leader, Lord George German came up with this plan to send General Howe and his British troops to capture New York City. After New York City, the British were to march to Boston to take it over. George Washington sends his American soldiers from Boston to New York, hoping to stop the British from taking over New York City. In New York, Washington heard the good news about congress signing the Declaration of Independence. He read the declaration to his soldiers out loud. Hearing the declaration gave the troops motivation because they knew that all the colonies supported them. The soldiers also knew that independence was a prize worth fighting for. African Americans in the War Jefferson had said all men are created equal the Declaration of Independence. Life, liberty and pursuit of happiness also sounded great. African-Americans, saw these words as hope to end slavery. But then African Americans asked the question Did he also mean that African-Americans (free and slaves) would get that freedom too? Many black militia men had already fought with the patriots at Concord, Lexington, and Bunker Hill. But Washington had not allowed slaves to join the Continental Army. But, the British did promise all slaves freedom if they would fight for the king. So thousands of runaway slaves became loyalists and helped fight for Great Britain. Later on, George Washington had to change his mind. There was not enough men in his army, so he had to let African-Americans, even slaves, join the Continental Army. Many white men believed that there black American friends who fought with them in the war, should also have freedom. Many states in New England and Middle Colonies wanted to end slavery after the American revolutionary war. Defeat in New York On August 27, 1776, the American and British armies met in New York City. The Americans thought they would win this battle but they did not because the British army had more man and were better trained. After two days of fighting, the British lost only 377 men, while the Americans lost 1407 men. British General Howe knew that the Americans were losing and stopped attacking the Americans so that Washington could surrender. Washington did not want surrender but he did retreat to save his men. Washington only had 9000 men left. Fading Hopes After the battle in New York City, there were many more defeats for the Continental army. The British army pushed the Americans out of New York, through New Jersey, and finally across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania. This was a difficult time for the American soldiers. There was little food to eat and the soldiers were hungry and weak. Then the weather turned cold and this made things worse. Some of the man had almost no more clothes to wear because their uniforms had ripped. Many soldiers had only enlisted (joined) for six months or a year. Many were going back home. On the way home, they would tell people all the stories of how difficult it was to be part of the Continental Army. They would tell other man that they were crazy to risk their lives for this war. When Washington reached Pennsylvania, he only had a few thousand men (3,000) left in the army. He needed more man or we are going to lose this war.
A Pep Talk and Surprise Victories By the winter of 1776, the British thought the war was over and they were going to win. General Howe offered to pardon any American patriots if they promised to not fight against the king. Thousands of Americans accepted his offer so they would not be looked at as traitors. The Crisis Washington knew he had to get his men together and motivate them. He read a new pamphlet by Thomas Paine called, The Crisis: Victory in Trenton Washington had a new plan to attack the German Hessian troops that were in a camp for the winter in Trenton, New Jersey. On December 25, 1776, Washington s army crossed the icy Delaware River in small boats late at night. The American troops made their way toward the city of Trenton. The weather was cold and it was snowing. The river was icy. The Germans had just finished eating a big Christmas dinner and were sleeping. When the Americans reached Trenton, they found the Hessians sleeping. The Hessians woke up and found themselves surrounded by Washington s man so they surrendered. Washington took 868 prisoners without one American man dying. A week later, the Americans captured another 300 British troops at Princeton, New Jersey. General Howe realized that it would not be easy to win the war by just capturing New York City or giving people pardons. News of Washington s victory is motivated the patriots. The man felt that now they could win and that the game was not over.
The Tide Begins to Turn Washington almost lost the war in New York because his men could not fight in large battles. He changed his strategy and told Congress that he would only be in defense. He hoped that defending cities would put less of his man at risk for dying. General Germaine changed the British strategy too. His new plan was to divide the American colonies by taking the city of Saratoga, New York. Saratoga was by the Hudson River. If the British controlled the Hudson River, New England would be separated from the rest of the states. This would be very bad for the Americans because many men and supplies came from New England. British General John Burgoyne took 8000 British soldiers and Native American warriors to New York so they can control the Hudson River in June 1777. Problem with the British Plans There were two big problems with this British plan. First, General Burgoyne did not know the land very well and they took the long way to get there and had to walk through many forests and swampy lands. The second problem is that General Howe did not follow the plan and went to Philadelphia and stayed with his man. He thought Washington would find them there and fight. Howe did not know that Washington was avoiding large battles. Washington refused to take his men to another big battle so he avoided the fight in Philadelphia. Instead Washington had his men attacking the British from behind trees and other surprise attacks in the countryside (farmland). A Turning Point at Saratoga By the time General Burgoyne and his troops made it to the Hudson River, many militia men were already there. The American Continental Army outnumbered the British who had made it to the Hudson River. Burgoyne waited for reinforcements from General Howe but Howe never showed up. Burgoyne attacks the American camps but ends in defeat. 5000 well-experienced British professional troops lost to the 14,000 less-experienced troops at Saratoga. The American general at Saratoga was General Horacio-Gates along with help from Daniel Morgan and Benedict Arnold. On October 17, 1777, General Burgoyne expected his defeat at Saratoga. This surrender marked a turning point in the war. Before the victory at Saratoga, most of the world believed that the Americans cause was hopeless. Now American soldiers had shown they could stand up to the British army and win. After this victory, France came into the war as an ally of the United States. France invites Benjamin Franklin to meet with them to sign agreements. The French government had send money, weapons, troops, and war ships to America. Spain also entered the war against Great Britain. The American cause no longer looked quite so hopeless.
Winter at Valley Forge The battle of Saratoga was a stunning victory but the war was not over. In the winter of 1777, Washington his army was on their way to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania to camp for the winter. Congress declared a day of celebration for their success at Saratoga. A soldier describes the celebration: We had nothing to eat for two or three days But now we must have what Congress said, Thanksgiving They gave each and every man... (a few ounces) of rice and a tablespoon of vinegar! The army was not only starved but naked. The greatest part or not the shirtless and barefoot, but destitute of (without) all other clothing, especially blankets. Washington s troops were hungry because farmers would sell their food to the British because they paid them in gold. The farmers did not want to take the paper money from Congress because they did not believe it had any value. As far as uniforms and blankets, merchants increased the process for profit. The army could not afford them. Many get sick and diseases spread which killed many men. About 2,000 of the 11,000 soldiers died that winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. A native tribe brought in a large amount of life saving corn for them to eat. While they were at Valley Forge, Washington put a military officer from pressure in charge of organizing the fighting force of the Continental Army. His name was Baron Frederick von Steuben. He did an amazing job training them to be better soldiers and more disciplined. Another foreign volunteer helped out the troops. His name was Marquis de Lafayette. He was one of the richest men in France. He used his own money to buy the man warm clothing. By spring of 1778, Washington received the news that the British were about to abandon Philadelphia. This was the time for Washington to put his newly trained army to the test. Battle of Manmouth British General Howe was replaced by Sir Henry Clinton. Clinton did not see any reason to stay in Philadelphia. He ordered his men to retreat back to New York City. The Royal Navy was at the sea in New York and could supply them the men immediately. Washington s army followed the British into New Jersey. On June 28, 1778, Washington was close by the British troops near a city called Manmouth, New Jersey. Washington had his man camp nearby. The Americans attack the retreating British forces. The British troops were able to escape during the night and sailed safely to New York. It was another victory for the Americans. This British retreat marked the end of the war in the North.
The War Moves South The British changed their strategies when they could not win any of the states in the North. There new plan was to move the war to the South. There were thousands of loyalists in the South. The British hoped that they would join the king and fight the American rebels. General Clinton had a successful attack at Savannah, Georgia. He then took control of North Carolina and South Carolina. The battle of Charleston, In South Carolina, was an easy victory for the British. Clinton was very happy with his success and returned to New York City. He left Lord Charles Cornwallis in control of the war in the South. Saving the South Cornwallis found out that North Carolina and South Carolina were not under British control. In the winter of 1780, Washington placed General Nathaniel Greene and Daniel Morgan in charge of the battles in the South. Greene s army was too small to meet Cornwallis troops in a large battle. Greene would attack the British in small encounters and then hide. Greene s plan worked because it exhausted the British troops. The first major American victory in the South was at the Battle of King s Mountain. The American win, devastated many loyalists and this made trouble for Cornwallis. The Battle of Cowpens was another turning point of the Revolutionary War in the southern colonies. Many blacks who chose to fight with the Americans and with their help, the Continental Army defeated the British at Cowpens, South Carolina. The victory forced the British army to retreat. Guerrilla soldiers -who were not part of the regular army were also fighting the British in the Carolinas. They would attack the British in the swamp lands of the Carolinas using a hit and run tactic. A Trap at Yorktown In April 1781, Cornwallis moved his army to Yorktown, Virginia. He was hoping for his men to rest. By the time Cornwallis was settled in Yorktown, France had sent almost 5000 troops to join Washington s army in New York. In August, 3000 more troops were sailing to America on 29 French warships. Washington was ready to set a trap for Cornwallis. Washington secretly moved his army south to Virginia. When they arrived, they joined the French and surrounded the city of Yorktown on land with more than 16,000 troops. At the same time, the French warships showed up in Chesapeake Bay. The ships blocked the British at sea. Cornwallis was cut off from any rescue by the British Navy. On October 6, 1781 the trap was set. American and French soldiers opened fire on York town. The French ships bombarded Yorktown from the sea.
Cornwallis Surrenders Surrounded by land and sea, Cornwallis surrenders on October 19, 1781. The American and French troops formed two long lines that stretched for miles. The French were on one side of the line and the Americans were on the other. The French were dressed in elegant uniforms with gold and silver. The American uniforms were patched up and faded. Behind the lines were American patriot citizens who traveled to witness the British surrender. After hours of waiting, 8000 British troops left Yorktown to lay down their guns. Cornwallis was not part of the ceremony because it upset him to have to surrender. The British tried to surrender to the French, but they made the British surrender to the Americans. General Cornwallis said he was sick and didn't show up to the surrender. He sent General Charles O'Hara to surrender his sword. General Cornwallis sword being given to Washington as sign of British surrender The War Ends In Great Britain, Lord North did not want to accept the defeat at Yorktown. However, the British people accepted the defeat because the war had taken so long and cost so much. Months later, King George was finally forced to accept that the British had been defeated. For most Americans the end of the war was a time for joy and celebration. They had gained their freedom to govern themselves and create a new future. Liberty was not free. 6200 Americans had been killed and 10,000 died in diseases and another 8500 died as prisoners of the British army. The Treaty of Paris In 1783, representatives of the United States and Great Britain signed a peace treaty in Paris. The Treaty of Paris of 1783 had three important parts. First, Great Britain agreed to recognize the United States as an independent nation. Second, Great Britain had to give up all its lands between the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi river and from the border of Canada to the border of Florida. Third, the United States agreed to return all rights and property taken from loyalists during the war. The loyalists were treated badly by the patriots. The loyalists did not trust fair treatment by the patriots after the war. More than 80,000 loyalists, both black and white, left the United States to settle in British Canada. The Impact of the American Revolution The American Revolution had a major impact in other parts of the world. In Europe, many people who dreamed of creating their own democracy. The American Revolution was a great example for the people of France. France had their own revolution soon after. Later on, in the 1800 s more nations will be inspired to revolt against European control in South America.