Revolution
 British retreat from Boston in March 1776
o British want to isolate New England
o British sail into New York Harbor in the summer
of 1776
o Brothers General William Howe and Admiral
Richard Howe lead a force of 32000 into New
York (largest British force ever assembled)
 British intent is to intimidate colonists’ force of
23,000 and humiliate George Washington.
o The Howe’s had the authority to discuss peace
terms
 British rout Colonial forces in August, 1776
 Washington hides in Pennsylvania – force down to
8,000
Battle for Trenton
 Washington risks all to surprise Hessians in Trenton,
New Jersey
o Colonial enlistments were up December 31st,
1776
o Christmas Night – Washington leads force across
Delaware River
o Victory gets troops to reenlist
 Princeton
o 6 days after the stunning victory at Trenton,
Washington follows up his victory with a surprise
victory at Princeton
 Colonial confidence is restored after winter victories
Spring in Philadelphia
 British undeterred launch attack on capital in
Philadelphia
 Washington fails to block path to capital
 Continental Congress flees to country side
 Spring of 1777 looks like sure defeat
Saratoga
 British General John Burgoyne tried to march from
Canada to Albany to isolate New England from the
North
 Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys
 Surrounded at Saratoga, Burgoyne surrenders to
Horatio Gates. Gates got all the praise for a victory
that was secured by Benedict Arnold. Arnold was
wounded so Gates accepted the surrender.
 Important Turning Point
o British decide not to fight in the countryside,
France is encouraged enough to recognize the
United States as a real country and offer support
Valley Forge
 Winter outside of Philadelphia was hard on Colonial
Army
 Training became the most important part of winter
 2,000 soldiers die in brutal conditions