The Frontier War

After the French and Indian War, there was another war called Pontiac's Rebellion. After this rebellion the king proclaimed that no one could settle west of the Appalachian Mountains, through the Proclamation of 1763. He had set that land as an indian reserve. This angered the colonists because it wouldn't permit colonial expansion. This measure was supposedly taken because the indians feared that the colonists would take away their territory by expanding westward, and at the same time it was a way of keeping the colonies at the east coast (where it would be easier to be controlled by England). Defying this proclamation, the colonies started to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains around the 1770's. 

Most indians sided with British and they were urged by England to attack the colonies. The indians eventually attacked, but the colonists wouldn't tolerate that. They started attackinh and killed neutral indians.They kept on disregarding the peace treaties they made with the indians. Little by little, the colonists managed to take more land. 

After many fights with the British, the Patriots finally convince some Native Americans to abandon the British allies, allowing the Patriots to recapture a fort they had lost. Of course, not all Native Americans were willing to help the Patriots and they started attacking Patriot's frontieer posts in New York. The Patriots simply decided to stop trying to convince them and so they burned 40 Iroqouis towns. The Indians, in return, continued their attacks with awful consequences, forcing many Patriots to retreat to the east.

European Allies

The victory of Saratoga encouraged many European countries to show their support one way or another. France recognized American Independence and entered the war, openly allying to the colonies. France had been helping the Patriots in many ways, but always secretly because they didn't believe that they would win. Of course France would welcome an opportunity to weaken their enemies' empire. Before the Saratoga Battle, they had been sending secret ships with ammunitions and weapons, and pratically this secret help was what kept the Patriots going. Some french volunteers even provided military expertise (training the soldiers), such as Marquis de Lafayette. After annnounceing publically their allience, they even sent troops to fight beside Patriots against British troops. 

In 1779, British suffered another blow, when Spain entered the war. However they didn't enter as an ally to the Americans, but to France. They also wanted to weaken the British empire, but they feared that, if they encouraged the colonies' independence from Britain, their own colonies in America would want independence too. The Spanish governor of Louisiama, Bernardo de Gálvez, provided money and supplies to the Patriots, at the same time they prevented British ships from entering the Mississippi River.

The Netherlands also tried to help somehow and they tried to beat the East India Company. This disrupted England's economic stability.

The Battle of Saratoga

Date: October 17^th, 1777

Place: Saratoga on the Hudson River in New York State.

Sides:  British and German troops vs. the Americans

Generals: Major General John Burgoyne vs. Major General Horatio Gates and Brigadier Benedict Arnold

Armies: 5,000 British, Canadians, and Indians vs.  12,000-14,000 militia and American troops

Uniforms: The British wore showy red coats that could be seen from a mile away and the Germans wore blue coats. Meanwhile, the Americans dressed as best as they could. They simply wore their normal clothing. Until later on did the Continental army start to wear blue coats and the militia continued to wear rough clothing.

Outcome: The Americans forced General Burgoyne to surrender.

The Battle of Saratoga in September and October 1777was a decisive American victory ending with the surrender of an entire British army of 9,000 men invading New York from Canada. Battle of Saratoga was actually two battles about 9 miles south of Saratoga, New York. 

The surrender of General John Burgoyne, who was surrounded by much larger American militia forces, took place after his retreat to Saratoga. The capture of an entire British army secured the Americans from mroe attacks out of Canada and prevented New England from being isolated. A huge result was that France  entered the war on behalf of the Americans, dramatically improving the Americans' chances in the war.

Battle of Trenton

Date: December 25^th, 1776

Location: Trenton, New Jersey by the Delaware River

Fighters: Americans vs. Hessians and British troops

Generals: General George Washington vs. Colonel Rahl

Armies: 2,400 Americans with 18 guns vs. 1,400 Hessians with 6 light guns

Outcome:  Victory for Washington and his American troops

So, what is this you may ask? Well these are some important facts about the Battle of Trenton that took place on Christmas Day in 1776. The background story is that the Patriots or Americans, however you may call them, were driven out of New York by the British and had to retreat to somewhere close to the Delaware River during the summer of 1776. This was a huge disadvantage for the Americans.

Summer passed by and winter came along. The Continental Army (the American troops) didn’t have any uniforms, some men didn’t have any shoes or proper protection against the harsh winter. Many had to wrap pieces of clothes around their feet for protection. It seemed like the army wasn’t going to be able to endure the winter for long. Washington came up with the idea to attack the Hessians at Trenton. The Patriots had to march a long distance and cross the river. It is said that a person could trace the path that they took because of the blood that some men left in the snow. Can you imagine walking for miles, with no shoes, and the independence of your country resting on your shoulders? Not something that many are up for.

This surprise attack, well obviously surprised the Hessians and the British troops. Colonel Rahl was fatally wounded and the British had to surrender. Another thing that helped the Patriots is that the Hessians were low on ammunitions and supplies which also made them retreat.

Washington’s army crossing the Delaware River in the freezing weather is something important for the U.S and many have seen the famous painting of it.