Chapter 6 Lesson 2- The American Revolution: The War Continues

Joseph Martin's Description of the Winter at Valley Forge

"We had hard duty to perform," he wrote years later, "and little or no strength to perform it with." Most of the men lacked blankets, shoes, and shirts. Martin made a pair of rough shoes for himself out of a scrap of cowhide, which hurt his feet.

How did Marquis de Lafayette aid in the Revolutionary War?

-A leader at Valley Forge -Came to the United States from France at 19 to volunteer -Excited about the ideas expressed in the Declaration of Independence, and he wanted to join the battle for freedom -Believed that the American cause represented the future of humankind. -Offered his services without pay to George Washington -Became a trusted aide to Washington

How did Juan de Miralles aid in the Revolutionary War?

-Arrived in Philadelphia -Persuaded Spain, Cuba, and Mexico to send money to the United States -Became friends with many Patriot leaders and loaned money to the cause.

How did Friedrich von Steuben aid in the Revolutionary War?

-Came to help Washington -Steuben had been an officer in the Prussian army -Helped to train the Patriot troops at Valley Forge and shape the ragged Continental Army into a more effective fighting force.

Describe the plights of Loyalists in the colonies

-Known Loyalists who remained in the United States faced difficult times. -Their neighbors often shunned them. Some became victims of violence. -Loyalists who actively helped the British faced arrest. -In a few rare cases, Patriots executed Loyalists.

How did Thaddeus Kościuszk and Casimir Pulaski aid in the Revolutionary War?

-Supported American efforts -Kościuszko helped build important defenses for the Americans. -Pulaski won promotion to the rank of general and died in 1779, fighting for the Continental Army.

What was the hope for the future of slaves?

African Americans fought for the American cause and hoped the Revolution would help end slavery.

What arguments did African-Americans make and why?

African Americans made similar arguments. In New Hampshire, enslaved people asked the government for their freedom so "that the name of slave may not be heard in a land gloriously contending for the sweets of freedom."

Benjamin Franklin and France

By late 1777, Benjamin Franklin had been in France for a year. He was trying to get the French to support the Americans' fight for independence. With his skill and charm, Franklin gained many friends for the United States. The French had secretly given the Americans money, but they had not entered the war.

How did Congress decide to meet the need of money?

Congress and the states simply printed hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of paper money.

How did foreigners aid in the Revolutionary War?

Europeans who had recently moved to the United States also joined the Patriot cause. For example, almost two-thirds of the Pennsylvania regiments were foreign-born.

Why wasn't all the help enough to win the Revolutionary War?

Even with the help of foreign nations and individuals, the Patriots faced a huge challenge. The Continental Army still needed large amounts of money to fight the war and defeat the British.

What was the main issue in the Revolutionary War?

For the young United States, getting the money to pay for the war was a great challenge.

How did France help during the Revolutionary War?

France decided to help the Americans. In February 1778, France declared war on Britain and sent money, equipment, and troops to aid the American Patriots.

How did the other countries react to the news of the victory at Saratoga?

Franklin surely understood the importance of this news. The victory at Saratoga was a turning point in the American Revolution. France and other nations now realized that the Americans might actually win their war against Great Britain.

What did governor William Livingston ask of the government and why?

In 1778 Governor William Livingston of New Jersey asked his government to free all enslaved people. He said slavery was "utterly inconsistent with the principles of Christianity and humanity."

Describe the events leading up to the winter at Valley Forge

In 1778 news traveled slowly across the Atlantic. People in the United States did not learn of the French-American alliance until the spring.

How was the soldiers' morale at Valley Forge?

Many soldiers became sick and died. Other men deserted. Some officers quit. The Continental Army seemed to be falling apart.

Where was British during the winter at Valley Forge?

Meanwhile, British general Howe and his forces spent the winter in comfort in Philadelphia.

What did some loyalists do to escape the wrath of the Patriots?

Not all Americans supported the Patriot cause. During the war, thousands of Loyalists fought on the side of the British. Some Loyalists spied on the Patriots. Many Loyalists fled, packing their belongings and selling whatever they could. Some left hurriedly for other parts of the British Empire, including British-owned Florida

How did the people react the mass printing of money? How did Congress react?

People began to have doubts about how much their paper bills were worth. Congress stopped printing paper money because no one would use it. This left the Americans with no way to finance their fight for independence.

How did Spain help during the Revolutionary War?

Spain also decided to help the Americans. Spain did not form an alliance with the United States, but it did declare war on Great Britain in 1779. Spanish forces fought the British in present-day Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. This fighting kept many British troops out of action against the Americans.

How did Washington and his wife help the soldiers at Valley Forge?

The Continental Army built huts and gathered supplies from the countryside. Several volunteers—including Washington's wife, Martha—made clothes for the troops and cared for the sick.

Why was raising money hard for the Continental Congress?

The Continental Congress had no power to raise money through taxes. The Congress did get some money from the states and from foreign countries. Yet this amount fell far short of the need.

What was the good news that Franklin recieved?

The Continental Congress sent Jonathan Austin of Boston to France to deliver the news of the American victory at Saratoga. As soon as Austin arrived, Franklin asked if the British had taken Philadelphia. Austin answered, "Yes sir. . . . But sir, I have greater news than that. General Burgoyne and his whole army are prisoners of war!"

Who else supported the Patriots?

The Patriot cause had supporters around the world. A number of individuals from other nations gave their talents to the cause.

Who was the first state to begin to free enslaved people? What did this cause?

The Pennsylvania legislature in 1780 adopted a plan to gradually free enslaved people—the first legislature in the world to take such action against slavery. Other northern states soon took similar measures. Still, the issue of slavery would remain unsettled for many years.

How did the war affect the lives of those who stayed home namely the wives and children?

The hardships of the soldiers involved in fighting the war were considerable. However, the war changed the lives of all Americans, even those who stayed at home. For example, wives of soldiers had to take care of families by themselves. They had to run a farm or a business without a husband's help. Children had to make do without a father present.

What change did women in colonial times want in America during the Revolutionary War? Why?

The ideals of liberty and freedom inspired the American Revolution. Those same ideals also caused some women to question their role in American society.

What did the mass printing of money cause?

The paper money quickly lost its value. The number of bills was greater than the supply of gold and silver backing them which led to inflation

What did the Revolutionary War cause white Americans to question?

The revolutionary quest for freedom and liberty led some white Americans to question slavery.

What caused the soldiers spirits to raise?

Then, in April 1778, Washington told his troops of France's help. Everyone's spirits rose at the thought. The Continental Army celebrated with a religious service and a parade.

How did Washington and his troops suffer at Valley Forge?

There, Washington and his troops suffered through a terrible winter. They lacked decent food, clothing, shelter, and medicine.

How did Washington regale about his winter at Valley Forge?

Washington declared that no army had ever put up with "such uncommon hardships" with such spirit. "Naked and starving as they are," he wrote, "we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity [faithfulness] of the soldiery."

What was Washington's greatest challenge at Valley Forge?

Washington's greatest challenge at Valley Forge was keeping the Continental Army together.

Inflation

When it takes more and more money to buy the same amount of goods

How was the Continental Army's come back?

Yet the Continental Army did survive the winter. Spring came, and conditions gradually improved. New soldiers joined the ranks. "The army grows stronger every day," one officer wrote. "There is a spirit of discipline among the troops that is better than numbers."