The War ExpandsCHAPTER 7, SECTION 2

Help From Abroad France bitter over defeat during French & Indian War◦ Wanted Revenge◦ 1776 - Secretly gave weapons to colonies

Battle of Saratoga◦ Colonists prove they can win ◦ France recognizes American Independence◦ 1778 – France signs treaty with United States of

America◦ France sends money, supplies, troops

Help From Abroad (cont’d) 1779 – France gets Spain to help Americans

◦ Spanish capture British outposts in Louisiana and Florida

◦ Victories stop British from attack US from south◦ Spain also wanted to expand its own Empire

France and Spain force British to fight multiple enemies◦ Resources spread out over multiple areas◦ Scared of losing other territories◦ Prevented British from concentrating strength

Europeans Help WashingtonMany Europeans came to the aid of the Colonial Army:

Marquis de Lafayette◦ French Nobleman◦ Wanted military career◦ Earned Washington’s trust◦ Used his own money to support troops (called “soldier’s friend”)◦ Persuaded French King to send 6,000 troops

Baron von Kalb◦ German officer◦ Served in French Army◦ One of Washington’s generals◦ Reputation for bravery

Europeans Help Washington (cont’d)

Baron von Steuben◦ German officer◦ Trained colonial army in military tactics◦ Learned how to use bayonets, form lines, use

weapons◦ Rest of Colonial Army was trained to use his

techniques

Winter at Valley Forge Winter of 1777 – 1778

◦ Washington forced to retreat from Philadelphia◦ Set up winter camp at Valley Forge (SW PA)◦ Supplies VERY low◦ No clothes, shoes (many barefoot!)◦ Over the winter, soldiers grew sick and weak◦ Many limbs froze and had to be amputated◦ ¼ of troops dies from starvation, cold, and disease

Congress slow to provide supplies

Help came from citizens

US Army endured through hardship Valley Forge Video

War on the Frontier Fighting took place on the Western frontier as well

1777 – 1778

George Rogers Clark◦ Wanted to help fight British◦ Convinced Patrick Henry to let him build an army◦ Recruited approx. 200 men◦ Captured British forts in what is now Indiana and Illinois◦ Scared British by killing captured natives◦ Stopped any British attacks from the West

War at Sea By 1777 – British had 100 ships off east coast◦ British controlled Atlantic trade routes

Colonists employed Privateers◦ Merchant ships given permission to attack other

ships◦ Captured ships and split up money◦ Sailors were interested in money as well as

being patriots◦ Congress employed over 1,000 privateers

Early Navy Heroes James Forten

◦ 14 years old◦ Son of a free African-American sail maker◦ Volunteered to be a privateer◦ 1780 – sailed on the Royal Louis◦ Captured by British◦ Offered free passage to England◦ Refused to betray his country◦ After war, walked barefoot from NY to Philly◦ Became famous for efforts to end slavery

Early Navy Heroes (cont’d) John Paul Jones

◦ Ship Captain◦ Bonhomme Richard◦ Patrolled English coast

1779 – Attacked British warship Serapis◦ Jones rammed other ship◦ Outgunned, did not give up◦ “I have not yet begun to fight.”◦ Both ships fired at very close range◦ British surrendered◦ Bonhomme Richard sank

Became inspiration to AmericansJP Jones Video