The American Revolutionary War

1. The American Revolutionary War

2. General Overview of War • In the early months/years of the war most of the fighting took place in the Northern areas of New England and New York. Fighting extended as far South as New Jersey • Colonists were very unorganized, out manned, out gunned, and underfunded. • British leaders were much more experienced and prepared. • Many officers had a hard time accepting orders from Washington because of his lack of experience and knowledge. (Many officers were former British officers) • From 1775-almost 1777 Colonists lost or were forced to retreat from nearly every battle. • By the end of 1775 British were forced to widen their plans to isolating New England to include N.Y, N.J, and P.A. Were not able to capture Washington and his troops • After Saratoga (1777) British were forced to move farther South (S.C) where they would have loyalist support and then push North while other forces pushed South. • Open battles like Camden went poorly for Colonists but small Guerilla attacks worked well. • Failing loyalists support and inability to move North forced British to abandon their Southern Campaign. • By 1781 with French army and navy support the Colonists were able to force a British surrender at Yorktown.

3. Causes of the Revolutionary War • Solitary Neglect • French and Indian War • Sugar Act • Navigation Act • Writs of Assistance • Declaratory Acts • Stamp Act • Townshend Acts • Boston Massacre • Boston Tea Party • Common Sense • Intolerable Acts (Coercive Acts)

4. Key PlayersColonists • Identify the Key Colonial people 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

5. Answers • Ben Franklin • John Adams • Thomas Jefferson • Marquis De Lafayette • Colonel Morgan • Samuel Adams • John Hancock • George Washington

6. Key PlayersBritish • Identify these key people: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

7. Answers • King George III • General Howe • Admiral Howe • General Lee • Lord Cornwallis • Benedict Arnold • General Gage • General Clinton

8. Strategies Of the War • British Strategies • British didn’t take the Colonial uprising seriously at its outset • Taxes for Colonists were much less then that of British citizens living in the United Kingdom • Britain sent about 10% of their military force to the colonies • Believed if they could isolate the problem (idea of Revolution and Independence) they could bring American Colonies back under control • First tried to isolate Boston (FAILED) • Second tried to isolate New England (couldn’t capture Washington and after Saratoga FAILED) • Third tried to gain Southern Loyalists support and push North through N.C and Virginia while the other half pushed South from New York. (FAILED) • Colonial Strategies • Strategic retreats: Don’t get captured in the open field • Drag out the war as long as possible • Obtain Foreign support (France, Spain) • Borough money when possible and raise the war expense for the British • Resupply using British weapons and clothing • Gain proper training from the French • Avoid large open field battles

9. Weapons of the Rev War

10. Clothing and Uniforms

11. Food of the Time Period • Cream of Peanut Soup
Virginia Ham w/ Oyster Sauce
mashed sweet potatoes w/ coconut
string beans with mushrooms
Martha's Virginia Cake

Other dishes that regularly appeared on the table:
Hominy
roasted fowl
Boiled Pork
cabbage, fried w/ salt pork
Peas and Salt Pork
cucumbers, cooked or fresh
artichokes
pickles


12. Famous Artwork

13. Outcome/impact of the War • Treaty of Paris: Weak, British were still able to occupy Western Forts • Major debt: currency from the war was worthless and left many businesses and individuals without money • Sectionalism takes root: The South and Northern areas began to separate even farther. • Loyalists and Patriots clash: Many Loyalists lost everything they had to looting and piracy. • Forming a Government was the most difficult challenge. • France viewed alliance as permanent: Many others wanted to renew lucrative trade with Britain while others saw it as a betrayal.