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France was secretly sending weapons to the patriots since 1776
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The British Continue to move to the middle states and seize New York City in order to stop the rebellion. This was to isolate New England
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Brothers General William Howe and admiral Richard Howe invade New York harbor with 32,000 soldiers. Including German mercenaries called Hessians by the Americans.
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Washington and 23,00 soldiers rallied in New York but were outnumbered. Many troops were young and inexperienced. The battle ended in retreat for the Americans with many losses.
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Te British manage to push Washingtons army across the Delaware river into Pennsylvania.
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In a risky task Washington led 2,400 men men in small rowboats across the Delaware river were they marched to Trenton to kill 30 hessians and take 918 captive.
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The Americans fought against 1,200 British soldiers stationed at Princeton. The victories led to Washington and his army marching to morristown.
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As spring arrived general Howe planned on seizing Philadelphia as it was the American capital.
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As British troops land near the capital the continental congress flees. Washingtons troops try to block the redcoats but fail. The British seize Philadelphia and are welcomed by loyalists.
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British general john Burgoyne led 4,000 redcoats,3,000 mercenaries, and 1,000 Mohawk under his command. His army had 30 wagons with 138 pieces of artillery. The continental congress appointed general gates to command the continental army. American attacks led to Burgoyne losing many men. Burgoyne finally surrendered at Saratoga.
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While The British Occupied Philadelphia the continental Army was huddled in makeshift huts. Conditions were poor and low on supplies.
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France finally made their decision and signed an alliance with the Americans. France promised not to make peace with the British until they recognized American independence.
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Friedrich von Steuben a Prussian captain volunteered his services and trained the American soldiers. Such examples are to stay at attention, execute field maneuvers, fire and reload faster,etc. the continental army was turning professional.
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In the summer British decided to make a change. They started to shift to the south. They hoped to rally loyalists regain the south and fight their way to the north.
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By the end of the year British took savanna Georgia easily
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Once again Georgia was commanded by a royal governor.
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Marquis de Lafayette a 20 year old aristocrat offered assistance. He joined Washington and led a command in Virginia.
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As the British marched south they managed to capture Charles town, South Carolina. There they took 5,500 men as prisoners.
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General Henry Clinton who replaced Howe with general Charles Cornwallis marched south with 8,500 men. There they achieved victory capturing Charles town in South Carolina.
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During 1780 French forces of 6,000 men landed at Newport Rhode Island right after the British left to focus on the south
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On January in Cowpen, South Carolina be expected to defeat the Americans. They were turned on by the continental army and forced the redcoats to give up.
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Greene had weakened the British but he was still worried about the south. He then proceeded to write a letter to Lafayette asking for help.
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Congress appoint rich merchant Robert Morris as superintendent of finance. Along with him his associate was haym salomon. They both borrowed money to provide salaries for the continental army.
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British forces went on to march to Yorktown. There they were surrounded by the French and British. There they decided to surrender.
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Due to the efforts of Morris and salomon the troops were paid with specie or gold coins
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Daniel Morgan and his forces defeated the British in the battle of cowpen. 300 British soldiers were killed while 600 were taken prisoner.
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The British at yorktown was outnumbered by American and French soldiers. Surrounded and outnumbered Cornwallis decided to raise the white flag.
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On a road near Yorktown Americans were there to witness the British surrender.
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Washington and the French generals along with the troops assembled to accept the British and their surrender.
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On September delegates signed the Treaty of Paris which Confirmed the independence of the new nation. The Boundaries of the United States were born and so was the nation.
