Winning Independence

The British began landing troops in New York, in July 1776.

Early Challenges for the Continental Army

In the Battle of Long Island, more than 1,400 Americas were killed, wounded, or
captured, the rest retreated to Manhattan. The British pursued. Washington
needed information about Howe´s forces. Nathan Hale volunteered to go behind
British lines, and after getting caught he got hanged.

A Surprise Attack Leads to an American Victory

Washington decided on a surprise attack on Trenton, and after resulting victorious
in both that battle and the Princeton one it gave the Americans new hope.

A Tide Turns for the Americans

Early in 1777, General John Burgoyne presented a new plan for victory. If British
troops cut off New England from the other colonies, he argued, the war would soon
be over.

The New England Strategy

Burgoyne´s plan called for general Howe to march on Albany from New York City.
Howe captured Philadelphia, defeating the Americans at the battles of Brandywine
and Germantown. Howe retired to comfortable quarters in Philadelphia for the
winter.

American Troops Prevail at Saratoga

Burgoyne recaptured Fort Ticonderoga. At the Battle of Bennington, they wounded
or captured nearly 1000 British. At the village of Saratoga; the Americans
surrounded the British, Burgoyne realizing he was trapped, surrendered his entire
army.

Europeans Aid the American Congress

Benjamin Franklin was sent to Paris to persuade the French king to aid the
Americans. The American victory at Saratoga convinced France that the United
States could stand up to Britain. Later the Netherlands and Spain all provided
loans to the U.S.

Winter at Valley Forge

Washington´s Continental Army began preparing for the winter of 1777-1778 by
building a makeshift at Valley Forge. Conditions at Valley Forge were difficult. An
army surgeon from Connecticut wrote about his hardships, and as the news
spread, patriots from around the world sent help.

Women Contribute to the War Effort

Many women joined their husbands at the front, a few women even took part in the
battle during the Battle of Monmouth.
The revolution established important ideals of liberty and equality for women.

African Americans in the War

The British offered freedom to some male slaves who would serve the king. In
response, Washington changed his policy and asked congress to allow free African
Americans to enlist.

Native Americans and the Spanish Choose Sides

WEST
As the war spread to Indian lands, the Americans and the British tried to win their
support. The British Convinced Native Americans that an American victory would
mean white settlers crossing the Appalachians.
SOUTH
The British gained the support of the Cherokees and convinced them to attack
dozens of settlements on the southern frontier.
NORTH
Fighting was fierce on the northern frontier Patriots destroyed dozens of Iroquois
villages.
THE BATTLES
Wyoming Battle: In 1778, Loyalists and Native Americans, allied to the British,
killed 360 colonial settlers in the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania.
Ohio Valley: In 1778, The British were captured near the Mississippi River,
Americans spread out through the woods to make their number appear greater and
the British commander thought it was useless to fight so he surrendered Vincennes

Spanish Assistance
Americans received help from New Spain by Bernardo de Galvez, governor of
Spanish Louisiana. He secretly supplied medicine, cloth, muskets, and gunpowder
to the Americans.
Fighting for Independence in the Southern Colonies and at Sea
They blockaded American ports, which were the supply routes for patriots.
The greatest American sea victory took place in September 1779 on the North
Sea. Captain John Paul Jones captured the powerful British warship Serapis.
However, the war between the Americans and Great Britain would be settled by
battles in the South. The South became the main battleground of the war in 1778,
many Loyalists lived there and British troops invited them to join them.
After 1780 attacks by British troops and Loyalist militia became especially cruel
and more settlers began to side with the Patriots.

Momentum Shifts Toward the Patriots

Two able American generals helped turn the tide against the British army:
Nathanael Greene and Daniel Morgan. General Charles Cornwallis led the main
British army: Greene: engaged the British only on the ground that put them at a
disadvantage. Morgan: Battle of Cowpens: He divided his soldiers into a front line
and a rear line. He ordered the front line to retreat after firing just two volleys.
British thought Americans were retreating and they charged forward straight into
the fire of Morgan`s second rank. Francis Marion: He lead a small band of militia
who took advantage of the region´s environment, appearing suddenly out of the
swamps, attacking quickly, and retreating swiftly back.

A DECISIVE WIN BRINGS THE WAR TO A CLOSE

Cornwallis abandoned his plan to take the Carolinas and moved his troops north
into Virginia where the British had achieved some success. Benedict Arnold,
formerly one of America´s best generals turned traitor in September 1780. He was
angry because he felt he had not received enough credit for his victories and he
also needed money. He agreed to turn over West Point to the British, the plot was
uncovered but Arnold escaped, and he was never captured.

THE BRITISH ARE TRAPPED AT YORKTOWN

Battle of Yorktown: By Lafayette´s battle Cornwallis kept at bay. Then he made a
mistake, he retreated to Yorktown peninsula. He felt confident that British ships
could supply his army from the sea. Washington saw an opportunity to trap him. He
marched his Continental troops south from New York. Meanwhile, de Grasse´s
fleet closed the trap. Cornwallis could not escape by land or sea.

THE WAR IS WON

Under the TREATY OF PARIS, the British recognized the United States as an
independent.
EXPLAINING THE AMERICAN VICTORY
The British had to send soldiers across the sea.
Without French soldiers and warships, the Americans might not have won the
battle of Yorktown. The American Revolution inspired people of many different
groups to fight for the same American ideals of freedom and rights.