Struggles for Liberty

Struggles for Liberty

Finding Troops Was Difficult Typical solder: was very young (many under 16) had little money Army offered harsh conditions low pay a big chance of death Yet people still fought!!!

Should Washington Recruit African Americans? Many white southerners opposed idea Britain promised freedom to any slave who fought 1000s joined Redcoats Continental Army began allowing free African Americans to fight. Image Credit: The Newport Historical Society

Linear vs. Guerrilla Warfare The European style of fighting in lines was used because the guns were so inaccurate. In order to inflict casualties, soldiers had to fire at the same time. The bayonet played an important role in linear warfare. After the soldier fired 4 or 5 shots, he was expected to fix his bayonet and fight hand to hand. By this time his barrel was so hot that it was almost impossible to reload his weapon anyway. While the Americans did, for the most part, fight a European style war, they had learned the skulking way of war, or guerrilla warfare. They employed ambushes and sneak attacks to inflict damage on the British. These tactics were seen by the British as dishonorable. One of the most famous Americans to employ these tactics was Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox, who got his nickname because he led hit and run raids against the British and retreated to the swamps of South Carolina where his base was located.

Weapons of the Revolution British Flintlock Musket Brown Bess Kentucky/Pennsylvania Long Rifle Tri-Corner Bayonet The shape of the blade made the wound harder to repair. Grenade A smaller version of the hollow shot cannonball Cavalry Sword Used primarily by officers and cavalry Grape Shot Small lead balls packed into a bag and fired at the enemy. Solid Shot (Cannonball) Used to roll through ranks of soldiers killing and maiming as it went. Hollow Shot (Cannonball) Filled with gunpowder, a fuse was cut depending on the distance to target.

Artillery 9 1. Training Lever 9. Quoie 2. Sponge 10. Linstock 3. Rammer 11. Iron Shot 4. Worm 12. Wadding 5. Powder Ladle 13. Cartridge 6. Truck Carriage 14. Knife 7. Tackle Ring 15. Touchhole Pricker 8. Touchhole 16. Priming Flask 8 7 6 10 5 16 15 11 1 2 3 4 14 13 12

Battle of New York August 26-October 28, 1776 The British used their navy to keep the Americans guessing as to where they would attack In 1776, the British recaptured New York. First, they drove Washington out of New York. Washington retreated to White Plains, where for the first time he was able to hold off the British forces. The British, then again, outmaneuvered Washington. Washington was forced to retreat to New Jersey.

Battle of New York

Trenton December 26, 1776 New Jersey Washington Crossing the Delaware On the night of December 25 th, the American army crossed the ice filled Delaware River and led a surprise attack on the Hessian regiment occupying the city of Trenton. Hessians Mercenaries ( foreign soldiers who were paid) from German state of Hesse Fought for British The Hessians caught off guard and defeated in about 30 minutes. 900 Hessians killed or captured Gained much needed supplies Hessian Barracks at Trenton

Trenton

Saratoga A Turning Point September October 1777 Britain plans to seize Hudson River Valley 3 British armies plan to meet in Albany General Howe chose not to follow the plan Benedict Arnold rallies his troops Patriots chop down trees and dam rivers to make obstacles Victory was a turning point in the war. Led French to begin officially supporting the Continental Army British General Burgoyne surrenders his army

General Burgoyne Surrenders at Saratoga

Help from Europe Marquis de Lafayette from France joins the Continental Army Baron Von Steuben from Prussia comes to help Washington train soldiers Bernardo de Gálvez (governor of Spanish Louisiana) Seized British posts east from Louisiana to Florida

Valley Forge Washington planned to use this time to train his troops Baron Frederick von Steuben Baron von Steuben used the winter at Valley Forge to turn the American army into a strong fighting force. ¼ of troops die from disease and starvation. Most soldiers stay for Washington Winter Cabin at Morristown Twelve men to a cabin

Valley Forge

The War at Sea The British naval strategy throughout the war was to blockade the colonies. Continental Navy s strategy was to attack British supplies. Captain John Paul Jones HMS Serapis vs. the Bonne Homme Richard American captain John Paul Jones attacked the British warship Serapis and captured many supply ships. When British called for Jones surrender, he replied I have not yet begun to fight.

Yorktown

British Head South!

Yorktown September -October, 1781 Last major battle of the war Washington s army marched from New York to Virginia. Storming of the British redoubts on October 14, 1781 After 21 days of constant attack, the British were forced to surrender. As the British marched out of Yorktown, the band played The World Turned Upside Down. Yorktown convinced British that the war was a lost cause. Surrender of Cornwallis

Treaty of Paris 1783 Two years to come to peace agreement In the Treaty of 1783: America s borders are set British leader accepted American rights to settle west of 13 colonies Separate treaty returns Florida to the Spanish

Treaty of Paris