History 6-2

As you have read, African Americans fought for the American cause and hoped the Revolution would help end slavery. The Pennsylvania legislature in 1780 adopted a plan to do what?

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.

The victory at Saratoga was a what?

Turning point in the American Revolution. France and other nations now realized the Americans might actually win the war against Great Britain. France decided to help the Americans.

The Patriot cause had supporters around the world. A number of individuals from other nations gave their talents to the cause. Friedrich von Steuben also came to help Washington. Tell me about him.

Von Steuben had been an officer in the Prussian army. He helped to train the Patriot troops at Valley Forge and shape the ragged Continental Army into a more effective fighting force.

By late 1777, Benjamin Franklin had been in France for a year. He was trying to get the French to do what?

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.

African Americans made similar arguments. In New Hampshire enslaved people asked the government for what?

their freedom so "that the name of slave may not be heard in a land gloriously contending for the sweets of freedom."

Tell me about the winter at Valley Forge.

British general Howe and his forces spent the winter in comfort in Philadelphia. Washington set up camp at Valley Forge, about 20 miles (32 km) to the west. There, Washington and his troops suffered through a terrible winter. They lacked decent food, clothing, shelter, and medicine. Washington's greatest challenge at Valley Forge was keeping the Continental Army together.

What happened in February 1778?

France declared war on Britain and sent money, equipment, and troops to aid American troops.

The Patriot cause had supporters around the world. A number of individuals from other nations gave their talents to the cause.One leader at Valley Forge was Marquis de Lafayette of France. Tell me about him.

He had come to the United States as a 19-year old volunteer in June 1777. Lafayette was excited about the ideas expressed in the Declaration of Independence, and he wanted to join the battle for freedom. He believed that the American cause represented the future of humankind. When he reached the United States, Lafayette offered his services to General Washington. He agreed to serve without pay and became a trusted aide to Washington.

The Patriot cause had supporters around the world. A number of individuals from other nations gave their talents to the cause. In 1778 Spaniard Juan de Miralles arrived in Philadelphia. Tell me about him.

He had persuaded Spain, Cuba, and Mexico to send money to the United States. Miralles became friends with many Patriot leaders and loaned money to the cause.

The Continental Congress sent who to France to deliver the news of the American victory at Saratoga?

Jonathan Austin of Boston

The Patriot cause had supporters around the world. A number of individuals from other nations gave their talents to the cause. Two Polish men—Thaddeus Kościuszko and Casimir Pulaski —supported American efforts. Tell me about them.

Kościuszko helped build important defenses for the Americans. Pulaski won promotion to the rank of general. He died in 1779, fighting for the Continental Army.

What was Washington's wife name?

Martha

Not all Americans supported the Patriot cause. During the war, thousands of Loyalists fought on the side of the British. What did they do?

Some Loyalists spied on the Patriots. Many Loyalists fled, packing their belongings and selling whatever they could. Some left hurriedly for England. Others took off for Spanish-owned Florida.

Other than France, who else wanted to help the Americans?

Spain. They didn't form an alliance but declared war on Britain in 1779. They fought the British in present-day Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. This fighting kept many British troops out out of action against Americans.

The Patriots faced a huge challenge. What was it?

The Continental Army still needed large amounts of money to fight the war and defeat the British.

What inspired the American Revolution?

The ideals of liberty and freedom. These same ideals also caused some women to question their role in American society. Abigail Adams was one example. She wrote to her husband, John Adams, a member of Congress, that the Congress is not being very generous to the women.

Known Loyalists who remained in the United States faced difficult times. What happened?

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.

However, the war changed the lives of all Americans, even those who stayed at home. What did the wives have to do now?

They 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 did Washington tell his troops 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.

Who is Joseph Martin?

a young soldier from Connecticut, spent the winter at Valley Forge. 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.

In 1778 Governor William Livingston of New Jersey asked his government to do what?

free all enslaved people. He said slavery was "utterly inconsistent with the principles of Christianity and humanity."

To get the money to pay for the war, what did the Congress and the states do?

printed hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of paper money. The paper money quickly lost its value. The amount of bills was greater than the supply of gold and silver backing them. This led to inflation , which means that it took more and more money to buy the same amount of goods. 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.