American War for Independence Presentation Topics
“American Revolution: The Northern Campaign 1775-1777”
Begun at Lexington and Concord, the American War for Independence spread throughout the northern colonies. In forming the Continental Army General George Washington faced formidable difficulties in recruiting and retaining troops and obtaining supplies due to the intransigence of the Continental Congress. This program will cover the major battles and commanders of the early war amid the challenges of forming the United States. The turning point in the northern campaign was the defeat of the British at Saratoga. This opened the way to an alliance with France that brought vital resources to the American cause.
“American Revolution: The Southern Campaign 1778-1781”
After the defeat of Saratoga, the British shifted their focus to America’s southern colonies and initially captured Savannah and Charleston. The tide turned when Major General Nathanael Greene’s use of unconventional tactics succeeded in weakening the British forces of Cornwallis. Moving his army into Virginia to disrupt American supply lines, Cornwallis set up a new naval base at Yorktown. As a result of America’s alliance with France, a French fleet defeated British naval forces at the Battle of Chesapeake Bay thus preventing the British from reinforcing Yorktown. After a siege, Franco-American forces under General George Washington captured Yorktown, a defeat that caused the British to begin peace negotiations.
“Yorktown: The Decisive Victory for America”
The culminating military victory of the American Revolution was the British surrender at Yorktown, Virginia on October 19, 1781. This program will review the southern strategy of General Cornwallis, the British commander, and the earlier battles in this campaign. It will then explore why Yorktown was such a strategic site, how the French fleet contributed to this victory, and what enabled General Washington to successfully conduct a three-week siege that led to conclusion of the war with Britain.
