1. Lesson 5
Bellringer: What was the Olive
Branch Petition? How did it impact
the American Revolutionary War?

2. Quote
"The hour is fast approaching, on
which the Honor and Success of
this army, and the safety of our
bleeding Country depend.
Remember officers and
Soldiers, that you are free
men, fighting for the blessings of
Liberty -- that slavery will be
your portion, and that of your
posterity, if you do not acquit
yourselves like men." -- George
Washington, 1776

3. America vs. Great Britain
• Britain seemed
unbeatable; strongest
military in the world
– Beat out France and
Spain
– Odds were against the
American colonists
• British military was
well-trained, well-
equipped; British navy
was dominant

4. • England had more money to give to the war effort than the
American Continental Congress
– Able to hire German soldiers (Hessians)
– ... and the Hessians, who are allowed to be the best of the
German troops, are by no means equal to the British in any
respect. I believe them steady, but their slowness is of the
greatest disadvantage in a country almost covered with
woods, and against an Enemy whose chief qualification is agility
in running from fence to fence and thence keeping up an
irregular, but galling fire on troops who advance with the same
pace as at their exercise. Light infantry accustomed to fight from
tree to tree, or charge even in woods; and Grenadiers who after
the first fire lose no time in loading again, but rush on, trusting
entirely to that most decisive of weapons the bayonet, will ever
be superior to any troops the Rebels can bring against them.
Such are the British, and such the method of fighting which has
been attended with constant success ....
• – Lieutenant W. Hale, letter to unknown recipient (March 23, 1778)
– Also recruited Native Americans by promising them land after
winning the war

5. America’s Weaknesses
• The Americans began the war
with significant disadvantages
compared to the British. They
had no national government, no
national army or navy, and no
financial system, no banks, no
established credit, and no
functioning government
departments, such as a treasury
– In peacetime the colonies relied
heavily on ocean shipping, but
that was now shut down by the
British blockade.

6. America’s Weaknesses
• Small amount of volunteers(soldiers)
• Few were trained
• Shortages in supplies
(clothes, food, weapons, etc.)

7. American Strength
• Took a long time for supplies to reach the
British in the Americas
• When compared to other colonies, the Americans had a
relatively large and prosperous population, and could
rely on local production for food and other
supplies, something the British could not rely on
sufficiently
– Vastness of the colonies proved detrimental for
the British; could not gain enough land

8. American Strength
• Guerilla warfare; British troops were
unfamiliar with the terrain and fought an old
fashioned style of war
• Home court advantage
– Despite the Americans lack of training, the leaders
proved competent
– Later, American gained an alliance with France and
Spain
– One could say America’s patriotism was
inspirational to its soldiers

9. British Weaknesses
• Distance from colonies and
Britain
• Lack of popular support in
Britain.
• British citizens were questioning
the necessity of the war with
America
• Compared to the Americans, the
British had no major supporters
in the war, and only had troops
provided by small German
states, referred to as
"Hessians", to bolster the
strength of the British Army in
North America.
• Poor generals

10. Americans British
Strengths Guerrilla warfare, Blockade, well-
allies with France trained, strongest
and Spain, military and navy in
vastness of colonial world, more
territory, money, more
patriotism, made supplies
own supplies
Weaknesses Few trained Long time to get
soldiers, lack of supplies, lack of
equipment, no support in Britain,
national gov’t, no distance from
credit, colonies, poor
generals

11. Persuasion
• Read “How the Revolution Against Britain
Divided Families and Friends”
• Persuade a Loyalist to join the Patriots
• Write a one paragraph reason for an American
still loyal to the crown should join the side of
the Patriots

12. Historical Practice
Activity on page 153

13. Homework
• Students will be assigned either “British side”
or “American side”
• They must then write a letter to a friend
convincing them to join the side they were
assigned
– Letter will be 3 paragraphs long; one paragraph
should be a conclusion
– Students should focus on the strengths of their
side and the weaknesses of the opposition