The American Revolution

The American Revolution captured New York in 1776, many Patriots British thought that if they won a decisive The issue of separating from Great Britain fled but Salomon stayed. The British arrested battle, the Americans would give up. By divided American society. Opinion polls did him as a spy. Salomon spoke many contrast, Washington’s main goal was to not exist in the 1700s, so we don’t know languages. The British thought he could help survive. To do so, he needed to keep an army exactly how many people were on each side. their supply officers deal with foreign in the field, win some battles—no matter how But historians estimate that roughly 20 to 30 merchants, so they let him out of prison. small—and avoid a crushing defeat. He knew percent of Americans were Loyalists, roughly Salomon used this opportunity to help other he could not hope to win a major battle until 40 to 45 percent were Patriots, and the rest prisoners escape. In 1778, the British wanted he had a large, well-equipped army. remained neutral. Most Americans did not to arrest Salomon again, so he fled to Struggle for the Middle States: support the Revolution.. Philadelphia. His earlier time in the cold, Washington had forced the British to retreat damp prison had permanently damaged his Both Patriots and Loyalists came from all from Boston in March 1776. He then hurried health. Even so, he continued to aid the walks of life and all parts of America. In his army to New York City, where he Patriots. He loaned the new government general, New England and Virginia had high expected the British to go next. One British more than $600,000, which was never repaid. numbers of Patriots. Loyalists were numerous goal was to occupy coastal cities so that their Like Salomon, many people made hard in cities, in New York State, and in the South. navy could land troops and supplies in those choices about which side to support during cities. From there, they could launch their Many Loyalists worked for the British the Revolutionary War. This section military campaigns. government or were clergy in the Church of discusses those choices and the obstacles England. Some Quakers were Loyalists, Americans faced in the war’s early years. Washington’s hunch was correct. In July although many wanted peace. The teachings 1776, Britain’s General William Howe arrived Creating an Army: of their religious faith taught that war was in New York with a large army. Then in Because not everyone supported the war, wrong. August, more soldiers arrived, including about raising an army was difficult. The army also 9,000 Hessian mercenaries. A mercenary is a The war divided Native Americans, too. For faced other problems. In June 1775, George professional soldier hired to fight for a foreign instance, some Iroquois nations fought with Washington became the commander of the country. British soldiers usually signed up for the British and others with the Americans. Continental Army. At first, this new national life—which discouraged enlistment. So Britain Those Native Americans who joined the army was formed from colonial militias, made needed mercenaries, whom it hired from the British feared that if the Americans won, they up of untrained and undisciplined volunteers. German states. would take Native American land. Some After Congress created the Continental Army, Native Americans who lived near colonists For several months, the British and American men began to enlist, but most of them didn’t and interacted with them sided with the armies fought for New York State. Finally, the stay long. At the start of the war, Congress Americans. British forced Washington to retreat through asked men to enlist only for one year. Later New Jersey. By December, when the African Americans also fought on both sides. Congress did lengthen the term of service. American army crossed the Delaware River At first, slave owners feared that African When the soldiers’ time was up, they went into Pennsylvania, it was in terrible condition. Americans who had guns might lead slave home. As a result, Washington’s army never Charles Willson Peale, a Philadelphia painter revolts. Therefore, few states allowed African numbered more than 17,000 men. who watched the crossing, saw one muddy Americans to enlist, or sign up with the army. Congress’s inability to supply the army also soldier who “had lost all his clothes. He was Then a British governor offered freedom to frustrated Washington. The soldiers needed in an old, dirty blanket jacket, his beard long, any enslaved person who joined the British everything— blankets, shoes, food, and even and his face so full of sores he could not army. Many slaves ran away to fight for the guns and ammunition. Angrily, Washington clean it.” To Peale’s shock, the soldier called British. In response, most states began to wrote, “Could I have foreseen what I have, his name. He was Peale’s brother! Political accept African-American soldiers. In all, about and am likely to experience, no consideration writer Thomas Paine also witnessed the hard 5,000 African Americans served in the upon earth should have induced [persuaded] conditions and the soldiers’ low spirits on the Continental Army. Many African Americans me to accept this command.” retreat. To urge them to keep fighting, Paine who did so hoped that American published the first in a series of pamphlets independence would bring greater equality. Many women tried to help the army. Martha called The American Crisis. Washington and other wives followed their Differences over the war split families, too. husbands to army camps. The women A VOICE FROM THE PAST: For example, Benjamin Franklin’s son William cooked, did laundry, and nursed sick or “These are the times that try men’s souls. The took Britain’s side. The father and son wounded soldiers. A few women even helped summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, stopped speaking. fight. Mary Hays earned the nickname “Molly in this crisis, shrink from the service of their ONE AMERICAN’S STORY: Pitcher” by carrying water to tired soldiers country; but he that stands it now, deserves In search of liberty, Haym Salomon moved during a battle. Deborah Sampson dressed the love and thanks of man and woman.” from eastern Europe to America sometime as a man, enlisted, and fought in several ~Thomas Paine, The American Crisis between 1764 and 1775. He was a Jew from engagements. Washington hoped a victory would encourage Poland. Arriving in New York City, Salomon Building an army was crucial to Washington’s his weary men. He also knew that he must soon became a successful merchant and plan. To the British, the Americans were attack the British quickly because most of his banker. After the war broke out, Salomon disorganized, inexperienced rebels. The supported the Patriot cause. When the British soldiers would leave once their enlistments Howe did invade Pennsylvania. In September September 19, he attacked. While Gates ended on December 31. 1777, he defeated but did not capture commanded the Americans on the ridge, Washington at the Battle of Brandywine. Benedict Arnold led an attack on nearby Late on December 25, 1776, Washington’s Howe then occupied Philadelphia. In October, Freeman’s Farm. His men repeatedly troops rowed across the icy Delaware River Washington attacked Howe at Germantown. charged the British and inflicted heavy to New Jersey. From there, they marched in Washington lost the battle, however, and casualties. Still, the British held their position. bitter, early morning cold to Trenton to retreated. surprise the Hessians, some of whom were On October 7, another battle broke out. Again sleeping after their Christmas celebration. Battles Along the Mohawk: Arnold led daring charges against the British. The Americans captured or killed more than As Burgoyne received Howe’s message, St. Although hundreds of muskets were firing at 900 Hessians and gained needed supplies. Leger faced his own obstacle in reaching him, he galloped through the battlefield “like a Washington’s army won another victory at Albany. In the summer of 1777, he was trying madman,” a sergeant later said. Frightened, Princeton eight days later. These victories to defeat a small American force at Fort Burgoyne’s Hessian mercenaries began to proved that the American general was better Stanwix in the Mohawk River valley of New fall back. Eventually, a bullet tore into than the British had thought. The American York. St. Leger’s forces included Iroquois led Arnold’s leg and stopped him. Even so, the army began to attract new recruits. by Mohawk chief Joseph Brant, also called Americans forced Burgoyne to retreat. Thayendanegea (THI - •ehn•DAHG•ee). Britain’s Strategy: Burgoyne’s army moved slowly through Meanwhile, the British were pursuing a Brant and his sister, Molly, had strong ties to heavy rain to a former army camp at strategy—an overall plan of action—to seize the British. Molly was a British official’s wife, Saratoga. By the time they arrived, the men the Hudson River Valley. If successful, they and Joseph was a convert to the Church of were exhausted. Some fell in the mud and would cut off New England from the other England. Both Joseph and Molly tried to slept in their wet uniforms. The Continental states. The strategy called for three armies to convince the Iroquois to fight for the British, Army then surrounded Burgoyne’s army and meet at Albany, New York. General John who upheld Iroquois rights to their land. fired on it day and night without stopping. Burgoyne would lead a force south from Burgoyne decided to surrender.

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