U.S. History / Unit 2: Revolution and the Constitution
2.3 The War for Independence
Notes
The Continental Army, led by George Washington, faced the world's strongest military and won.
- About one-third of colonists were Patriots, many were Loyalists loyal to Britain, and many were neutral.
- Saratoga (1777) was the turning point: the American victory convinced France to become an ally.
- Valley Forge (1777 to 1778): a hard winter where the army suffered but trained and improved.
- American advantages: fighting on home ground, determined leaders, help from France (and Spain and the Netherlands).
- Yorktown (1781): American and French forces trapped General Cornwallis, who surrendered.
- The Treaty of Paris (1783) recognized U.S. independence with a western border at the Mississippi River.
- Some enslaved people won freedom by fighting for either side; Britain offered freedom to those who escaped from Patriot owners.
Practice
Why is the Battle of Saratoga considered the turning point of the Revolution?
The victory showed the Americans could win, and France signed an alliance in 1778.
The British surrender at Yorktown in 1781 was made possible in large part by:
French ships kept Cornwallis from being rescued or supplied by sea.
A colonist who stayed loyal to the British king during the Revolution was called a:
Loyalists (also called Tories) supported Britain.
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