The American Revolutionary War
(also known as the War of Independence) ended the rule of Great Britain in America. The conflict took place from April 19, 1775 until July 2, 1776, and is one of the most important events in the history of our nation. In this article, you'll learn about the British defeat at Saratoga, the Iroquois-Loyalist wars in the Wyoming Valley, and the French intervention at Yorktown.
British defeat at Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga in the American Revolutionary War was a major defeat for the British and their forces. The victory spurred patriotism and increased the hopes of the American people for independence. It also helped secure the support of France and other nations for the American cause. It ended the British attempts to control the Hudson River valley and sealed an alliance between America and France. In the aftermath of the battle, General Benedict Arnold was hailed as a hero.
Iroquois-Loyalist attacks in the Wyoming Valley
In the early part of the American Revolutionary War, Iroquois and Loyalist warriors attacked the American colonies in the Wyoming Valley in Northeastern Pennsylvania. These attacks killed thousands of people, burned many of them alive, and maimed many more. This forced the Marquis de Lafayette to send troops and build a fort in the area.
French fleet commanded by Comte d'Estaing
The French fleet commanded by Comte n'Estaing sailed from France to the New World in early February, attempting to attack the British forces in New York. They were unsuccessful. This is because the French were unable to coordinate their efforts and communicate effectively. As a result, the Americans blamed the French for their failure. Anti-French feeling was so intense that a French officer was killed in a riot in Boston. These failures were partly due to the cultural differences between the French and the Americans. D'Estaing was also scornful of the citizen soldiers in the United States and treated them as inferior.
French intervention at Yorktown
The French military intervention at Yorktown during the American Revolution was crucial in helping the Patriots win the battle. The French fleet, led by Admiral Francois Joseph Paul de Grasse, provided the Patriots with the naval support needed to make the victory possible. After the surrender of Cornwallis on October 19, 1781, the major fighting ceased, but the British did not officially end the war until 1783.
Battles in the Wyoming Valley
The battles in the Wyoming Valley were part of the American Revolution. This region was heavily pro-Revolutionary, and most of the able-bodied men had gone to fight for the cause. This left the officers in charge of the frontier aware of the manpower shortage. Colonel Zebulon Butler (no relation to the British commander) was given orders to command 400 militiamen to guard the valley. Although this group had little training or combat experience, they were still able to do the job.
Battles at Cherry Valley
The Battles at Cherry Valley took place during the American Revolution in 1778. A 300-strong palisaded fort protected the settlement, but the Americans did not listen to warnings about a British raiding party. Incompetent leadership and a lack of preparedness contributed to the massacre. A few survivors escaped, but many of them were wounded and taken prisoner.
British resistance at Yorktown
The first day of the Battle of Yorktown saw the American forces swarm the British lines with cannonballs. The allied army was divided into two parallel lines, each of which was a little over 2,000 yards long. Both lines were strewn with artillery, which poured down on the British lines. The allies then encamped near Williamsburg, Virginia, and two days later, they reached Yorktown. The American army dug parallel trenches to creep closer to the British positions.
