7.4 The Patriots Gain New Hope

1. 7.4 The Patriots Gain New Hope Goals What were Washington’s strategies at Trenton and Princeton? Why was the Battle of Saratoga a turning point in the war? How did foreign nations and individuals aid the Patriots? How did the Patriots carry out the naval war?

2. Victory in New Jersey • British General William Howe sent troops to take New Jersey in Nov. 1776 – he thought the war would be over soon. • NJ was left in the hands of Hessians, German mercenaries hired to fight for the British. • Washington decided to attack the Hessians at Trenton, New Jersey. • He believed he could take them by surprise while they celebrated the holiday.

3. On Christmas Night, Washington and 2,400 soldiers crossed the Delaware to attack.

4. The Battle of Trenton – Dec. 26th, 1776 lasted less than 1 hour. • Patriots captured more than 900 Hessians with just 5 American casualties. • Victory boosted Patriots’ spirits! • Washington marched his troops to Princeton, New Jersey for another surprise attack. • The Battle of Princeton – Jan. 1777, another victory for Patriots!!

5. Turning Point at Saratoga • British planned to cut New England off from the rest of the colonies. • Called for British troops under General John Burgoyne in Canada to march South to take back Fort Ticonderoga. • A second force would march east from Lake Ontario. • General Howe’s troops would march north from NYC. • All 3 groups would meet in Albany, NY.

6. General Howe decided to attack Philadelphia before going to Albany. • Battle of Brandywine Creek – Sept. 11, 1777, Howe crushed Patriots’ forces. • General Burgoyne didn’t know both Howe and British forces from the east were late! • Burgoyne and the British were badly outnumbered. • Battle of Saratoga – Sept.-Oct. 1777, Burgoyne suffered a major defeat. • Victory at Saratoga was the greatest win yet for the American Forces. • It greatly boosted morale and led to increased foreign support.

7. Foreign Allies • France and Spain had been secretly aiding the Patriots. • The victory at Saratoga convinced France that America could win. • May 1778- Continental Congress approved an alliance with France. • Spain joined in 1779 and provided support to the Patriots on the western front.

8. Key allies: • Bernardo de Galvez- governor of Spanish Louisiana. • Marquis de Lafayette- young Frenchman who contributed $200,000 of his own money to the Revolution! • Tadeusz Kosciuszko & Kazimierz Pulaski – from Poland. • Brought army engineering skills. • Helped train cavalry units

9. Winter at Valley Forge • Dec. 1777- Washington settled his troops at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. • Army running low on supplies- no food, little clothing. • Winter of 1777-78… 1/5 of the soldiers died of disease and malnutrition. • By the end of winter, troops were frustrated. • Friedrich von Steuban- Prussian army officer. • Taught troops basic military skills.

10. The War at Sea • 1775- Continental Congress created the Continental Navy and marines. • By 1776- the navy only had 8 fighting ships. • Instead of fighting large battles, Patriots tried to attack individual British ships. • Also attacked British supply ports and merchant ships. • John Paul Jones- one of the most successful American captains. • Captured many British supply ships.