Social studies

•  THE TREATY OF PARIS-1783

• U.S. is a free and independent nation recognized by Britain

• U.S. gets the land promised to Native American nations

• U.S. is free to establish state and national governments

• U.S. can trade with whomever they choose

• British troops are given permission to return home

• THE BATTLE OF YORKTOWN

• 1781- British General Cornwallis moved his troops to Yorktown, Virginia. 

• When Washington learned that Cornwallis had moved into Yorktown, he decided to make a fast and top-secret march south. 

• The Continental Army and French troops surrounded Yorktown and the British Army. 

  • Continental victory!

  • African Americans in the American Revolution

  • Fought at Lexington/Concord and Bunker Hill

    • Once Continental Army formed, they were banned

  
  

  • Joined the British army in the South - promise of freedom (~20,000 fought)

  
  

  • Continental Army allowed African Americans to join in desperation- lack of troops (~9,000)

  • Women involvement in the Revolutionary War

  • Led boycotts of British goods 

  • Farm-work and managed personal businesses 

  • Supplied shelter, food, uniforms and supplies to troops 

  • Served as doctors or nurses

  • Native Americans and the war…

    The Declaration of Independence accused King George III of unleashing "merciless Indian savages" against innocent men, women, and children as the last grievance.

    Winter at Valley Forge (PA)

  Winter of 1777- Continental Army camped at Valley Forge

• 13,000-14,000 troops has almost no food, no clothing or supplies

• Built about 1,000-2,000 shelters, ~12 soldiers to each hut

• Lost ~2,000 to disease, lack of clothing and food; 2,000 deserters

Help Arrives!

Marquis de Lafayette: 

• 20 yr. old, wealthy French officer 

• Inspired by Patriots-

  • Volunteered for the Continental Army

• Paid troops with his own money

• Close friend to George Washington

Officer Baron von Steuben: 

• 1778- France officially became an ally and declared war on Great Britain

  • Providing supplies and navy

• Hired by Congress for his military expertise, trained the Continental Army at Valley Forge

  Guerilla Warfare- System of warfare in which soldiers fight using techniques such as surprise, ambush and disruption.

Southern Patriots used their knowledge of the terrain by attacking supply and communication centers in small groups and escaping before they could be caught.

Battle of Saratoga

Spring 1777- The British plan was to capture the city of Albany and take control of the Hudson River to cut off New England from the other colonies. 

British Strategy- General Howe, General Burgoyne, and Lieutenant Colonel St. Leger would travel so All three would meet in Albany. 

*victory for the continental army- France enters into the war because of this battle*

Why was the Battle of Saratoga considered a “turning point” of the American Revolution?

The American win over the superior British army lifted the patriots morale, furthered the hope for independence, and helped to secure the foreign countries support needed to win the war.

The Culper Spy Ring

1. Benjamin Tallmadge- Major in charge of intelligence for the Continental Army, appointed by George Washington.

2. Robert Townsend- Operated out of NYC to gather information about the British Army.

3. Austin Roe- Tavern owner on Long Island. Tasked with the transport of information. 

4. Abraham Woodhull- Leader of the group, decided what information to pass to Washington.

5. Agent 355- Unknown identity, signaled to Brewster when there was information to be picked up. 

6. Caleb Brewster-  Courier of information across the Long Island Sound to Tallmadge in CT.

   Nathan Hale

   Disguised as a Dutch teacher, Nathan Hale spied on the British for weeks.

We think Nathan Hale was discovered sailing across the Long Island Sound back to American-controlled territory. 

• After the British discovered incriminating documents, Hale was ordered to be executed. 

On September 22nd, 1776 Nathan Hale was hanged at the age of 21. His alleged last words were: “My only regret is that I have one life to give to my country.”

Hercules Mulligan

• Recruited to spy for the Continental Army by Alexander Hamilton

• Worked as a tailor at his own shop in New York City, near Robert Townsend. The two would sometimes cooperate with each other.

  • His shop was frequented by high ranking British generals

• Mulligan could figure out the British Army’s next move by inquiring when the officers needed their uniforms back.

• Twice his actions helped save George Washington’s life.

  Culper Spy Ring

• The Culper Spy Ring was an American spy ring that collected intel about the British during the American Revolution

• Benjamin Tallmadge- Major in charge of intelligence for the Continental Army, appointed by George Washington

• Spies had codenames to protect their identities.

• The Culper Spy Ring was an American spy ring that collected intel about the British during the American Revolution

• Benjamin Tallmadge- Major in charge of intelligence for the Continental Army, appointed by George Washington

• Spies had codenames to protect their identities.During the Battle of Long Island (also called the Battle of Brooklyn) in 1776, the Con 3. Poor communication: The American forces couldn’t communicate well with each other, which led to confusion and disorganization during the battle.

  4. Not using the terrain to their advantage: The Americans didn’t take advantage of the natural barriers (like hills or rivers) that could have helped them defend better.

  Even though they lost the battle, George Washington and his troops managed to escape and keep fighting another day.tinental Army lost a major battle to the British. They were forced to retreat, and the British took control of New York City.

  Some of the mistakes the Continental Army made were:

  1. Poor planning: The Americans didn’t have a clear, strong defense strategy for the island, and they were spread out too thin.

  2. Underestimating the British: They didn’t expect the British to attack from multiple directions, which caught them off guard.

  Battle of Bunker Hill

• Colonel William Prescott set up the Massachusetts militia on Breed’s Hill (originally planned for Bunker Hill).

• On June 17th, 1775 over 2,000 Redcoats marched up the hill.

• Colonial militia was short on ammunition, but drove the British down twice.

  • Don’t fire until you see the “whites of their eyes”

• British succeeded on the third attempt, but lost hundreds of soldiers.