Chapter 6, Section 2
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The Continues : How did the United States • : gain allies and aid during : the Revolutionary War? . American Diary .. .. .. Reading Guide The Continental Congress sent Jonathan Content Vocabulary Austin of Boston to France to deliver the desert (p. 162) inflation (p. 164) news of the American victory at Saratoga. Academic Vocabulary Benjamin Franklin was already in France aid (p. 161) issue (p. 165) Key People and Events trying to get that country to help the Bernardo de Galvez (p. 161) Americans fight against the British. As Marquis de Lafayette (p. 163) Friedrich von Steuben (p. 163) soon as Austin arrived, Franklin nervously Juan de Miralles (p. 163) inquired, "Sir, is Philadelphia taken?" Judith Sargeant Murray (p. 165) Austin answered, "Yes sir. ... But sir, I Abigail Adams (p. 165) Reading Strategy have greater news than that. General Taking Notes As you read, use a Burgoyne and his whole army are prisoners diagram like the one below to determine what aid the Patriots of war!" received during the American -quoted in Liberty! The American Revolution Revolution . Sources of Aid to the Pat.riots Gaining Allies France News of the American victory at Saratoga IM®IGf¥1 Even with aid from other nations and caused a shift in France's policy. Realizing individuals, the Patriots had difficulty financing their that the Americans had a chance of defeating war for independence. Britain, the French openly announced sup History and You Have you ever had to ask friends port for the United States. In February 1778, for help when you could not complete a task? Was the the French and the Americans worked out a task easier to complete? Read about how the Americans trade agreement and an alliance. France sought help during their fight for independence. declared war on Britain and sent money, ............ .. ... .. ....... ........... equipment, and troops to aid, or help, the L ike Ben Franklin, many Americans were American Patriots. excited by news of the victory at Saratoga in October 1777. Even more, Saratoga marked a Spain turning point in the war. The European Other European nations also helped the nations, especially France, realized that the American cause. They did so mostly because Americans might actually win their war they hated the British. Although Spain did against Great Britain. not recognize American independence until Now was the time for the Americans to after the Revolution, Spain declared war on seek support from Great Britain's rivals. By Britain in 1779. The Spanish governor of Lou late 1777, Benjamin Franklin had been in isiana, Bernardo de Galvez (GAHL•ves), Paris for a year. He was trying to get the raised an army. Galvez's soldiers forced Brit French to support the Americans' fight for ish troops from Baton Rouge and Natchez. independence. With his skill and charm, Then the army captured British forts at Mobile Franklin gained many friends for the United in 1780 and Pensacola in 1781. Galvez's cam States. The French had given the Americans paign through hundreds of miles of wilder money secretly, but they had not fully com ness diverted British troops from other fronts mitted to an alliance. of the war. Primary Source Franklin Memorabilia The World's First Celebrity While serving as America's first ambassador to France, Benjamin Franklin was greatly admired by the country's nobles and thinkers. After all, he was a man of great charm and many talents philosopher, writer, printer, scientist, inventor, politician, and diplomat. Much like a singer or movie star today, Franklin became so popular in America and Europe that his likeness appeared on many items-medallions, rings, watches, and small boxes. Fashionable ladies even adopted a hairstyle that resembled the famous fur cap that Franklin wore. Making Connections How do you think Franklin used his personality and talents to benefit the American cause? Would you consider him a celebrity? Are there any celebrities today who are like Franklin? Explain. Winter at Valley Forge "We had a hard duty to perform," he wrote Word of the French-American alliance did years later, "and little or no strength to per not reach the United States until the spring of form it with." Most of the men lacked blan 1778. Meanwhile, British general Howe and kets, shoes, and shirts. Martin made a pair of his forces spent the winter in comfort in rough moccasins for himself out of a scrap Philadelphia. Washington set up camp at of cowhide, which hurt his feet. Valley Forge, about 20 miles (32 km) to the PRtMARY SouRCE west of the British. Washington and his troops "The only alternative I had, was to endure this endured a winter of terrible suffering. They inconvenience or to go barefoot, as hundreds of my lacked decent food, clothing, shelter, and companions had to, till they might be tracked by their medicine. Washington's greatest challenge at blood upon the rough frozen ground:' Valley Forge was keeping the Continental -Joseph Martin, in A Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier Army together. Because it was difficult to get supplies Not surprisingly, many men deserted, or delivered due to snowstorms and damaged left without permission, while the Continental roads, the Continental Army built huts and Army was camped at Valley Forge. Some gathered supplies from the countryside. officers resigned. The army seemed to be fall Several volunteers-including Washington's ing apart. wife, Martha-made clothes for the troops Yet with strong determination, the Con and cared for the sick. Washington declared tinental Army survived the winter. Condi that no army had ever suffered "such uncom tions gradually improved and new soldiers mon hardships" with such "patience and joined the ranks in the spring. "The army fortitude." grows stronger every day," one officer wrote. Joseph Martin, a young private from "There is a spirit of discipline among the Connecticut, spent the winter at Valley Forge. troops that is better than numbers." Primary Source A Turn Point at Vall ---- Winter Soldiers For the Continental Army, the winter of 1777 at Valley Forge was terrible. Soldiers suffered through a lack of food and clothing, and many became ill and died. By March, better weather had arrived along with a trickle of food and supplies. By April, Baron von Steuben was turning the troops into a fighting force. ad"~aked a_nd starving as they are, we cannot enough of :;es~~:i~~~?mparable patience and fidelity [faithfulness] -George Washington, letter to Governor George Clinton February 16, 177B .... Washington and Lafayette at Valley Forge, winter 1777 Camp bed used at Valley Forge T In April 1778, Washington told his troops Friedrich von Steuben (STOO•buhn), a of the Patriots' alliance with France. Every former army officer from Prussia, also came one's spirits rose at the thought of help from to help Washington. Von Steuben drilled the overseas. The Continental Army celebrated Patriot troops at Valley Forge, teaching them with a religious service and a parade. military discipline. He spoke little English, so he used aides to translate drills and a training Help From Overseas manual that he wrote. Von Steuben turned Among the leaders at Valley Forge was a the ragged Continental Army into a more French noble, the Marquis de Lafayette effective fighting force. (LAH•fee•EHT). Lafayette was filled with Juan de Miralles (mee•RAH•yays) arrived enthusiasm for the ideas expressed in the in Philadelphia in 1778 as a representative of Declaration of Independence and he rushed Spain. At his urging, Spain, Cuba, and Mexico to join the battle for freedom. Lafayette wrote: sent financial aid to the colonies. Miralles "The future of America is closely bound up befriended many Patriot leaders and loaned with the future of all mankind." money to the cause. Upon his arrival in Philadelphia, Lafayette Other Europeans who had recently moved offered his services to General Washington. to the United States also joined the Patriot Lafayette became a trusted aide to Washington. cause. In fact, almost two-thirds of soldiers in Other Europeans also volunteered to work the Pennsylvania regiments were foreign for the Patriot cause. Two Poles-Thaddeus born. Kosciusko (kawsh•CHUSH•KoH), an engi Even with the help of foreign nations like neer, and Casimir Pulaski, a cavalry officer France and Spain, the Patriots would find it contributed to the American efforts. Promoted difficult to defeat the British. The Continental to general, Pulaski died in 1779, fighting for Army still needed large amounts of money to the Continental Army. continue to fight the war. Valley Forge today £. Baron von Steuben drills American recruits at Valley Forge, 1778. ~ The Continental Army received important help from Europeans. Friedrich von Steuben was a Prussian officer who arrived at Valley .Fqrge on February 23, 1778. Von Steuben beg~n by training a "model company" of 100, chosen rrlen. Each company commander was responsible. for traioipg , Describing What happened at Valley the men in his company, including new recruits. : Forge to change the course of the war? The American Revolution Chapter 6 163 Molly Pitcher : Abigail Adams • Heroine at the Battle of Monmouth Court House • Wife of John Adams, delegate to the • Continental Congress Molly Pitcher may have done more • than carry water to American soldiers • Abigail Adams famously argued for at the Battle of Monmouth Court House • women's rights in a letter to her in New Jersey on June 28, 1778. : husband, telling him, "If According to legend, when her husband • [particular] care and attention collapsed from the heat, she : is not paid to the Ladies we heroically took his place in battle. • are determined to [start] a On February • [rebellion], and will not hold ourselves bound by any • 21, 1822, • Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation:' Pennsylvania • recognized Molly Pitcher's service : CRITICAL to the nation by granting her an .