Sea Power and Maritime Affairs: Sea Power and Maritime Affairs Lesson 4: The American Revolution, 1775-1783, Part of a Larger Struggle


Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives Comprehend the American Revolution in the context of European politics and the regeneration of the struggle between Great Britain and France. Know (identify) the causes of the American Revolution Comprehend the uses of sea power in the American Revolution by the British and Americans.


Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives Know the course of the war and representative campaigns. Comprehend the relationship of military and naval policy, diplomacy, and strategy as demonstrated during the war.


Remember our Themes!: Remember our Themes! The Navy as an Instrument of Foreign Policy Interaction between Congress and the Navy Inter-service Relations Technology Leadership Strategy and Tactics Evolution of Naval Doctrine


Two Doctrines: Two Doctrines Guerre de course: commerce raiding predominant in 19th century Guerre d’escadre: squadron, ie., naval warfare (line formations) predominant in 20th century Since the revolution both traditions have competed with one another


European Political Context: European Political Context Results of the Seven Years’ War The Peace of Paris, 1763, was a “truce”, in effect, not a peace. G.B. (sea power) and France (land power) potential enemies Rivalry for Empire- N. America, W. Indies, Indian Ocean G.B. wants colonials to: Pay costs of Seven Years’ War- G.B. finances seriously depleted Garrison soldiers Proclamation of 1763 Oppressive acts Resulting Rebellion becomes a renewed Anglo-French War


The State of the Navies: The State of the Navies Great Britain Permanent Fighting Instructions -- Formal Tactics Limits ability of Admirals to concentrate fleet’s firepower. French Navy is rebuilt. Superior construction, numbers, tactics, and training. Defensive tactics of a land power versus a sea power. Decline in number and condition of ships. Desire lee gage. Targeting of British sails and masts.


The Colonies Revolt: The Colonies Revolt American maritime heritage result of colonial status Resources: Ships, crews, raw materials, British merchant fleet. Advantages: Protection, Ready market for goods, benefit of imperial trade. Disadvantages: All trade supported Britain, different national interests, no voice in policy, no trade outside of empire. Causes: resentment of empire policies, taxation to pay British debt, curtailment of W. expansion, no representation.


Advantages of Being a Colony: Advantages of Being a Colony Protection Ready market for goods Benefit of imperial trade.


Disadvantages: Disadvantages All trade supported Britain Less money for US! Different national interests Americans would trade with anyone No voice in policy No say in Parliament No trade outside of empire. British set who colonies traded with


War of Revolution: War of Revolution Great Britain Advantages Large economy based on world empire. Well established government - Constitutional Monarchy. Professional Army Large Royal Navy (Although challenged for supremacy by French Navy.) Disadvantages Long Lines of Communication Fighting on “Foreign” Soil American Colonies Advantages Fighting on “Home Turf” Ready market of resources Disadvantages Weak government: Continental Congress. Economy designed to support Britain in mercantilist system. Disunity - Loyalists or Tories make up one third of population.


Naval Strategies: British Command of the Sea Blockade American ports. Transport troops to areas of rebellion. Hudson River Valley Cut off New England from middle and southern colonies. American War of Attrition Wear down British forces. Diplomacy Gain European allies with large navies - France. Commerce Raiding Privateering Naval Strategies


Going It Alone (Prior to 1778): Going It Alone (Prior to 1778)


The Need for an American Navy: The Need for an American Navy British control of sea lines of communication. Americans unable to oppose British troop movements. British blockades of American ports restricts commerce. States authorize navies: Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Privateering commences against British shipping and commerce. Definition of Privateering: Privately-owned vessels sanctioned by a government to seize enemy ships. Washington’s Navy Seizure of gunpowder on British supply ships enroute to Boston. Ships commanded by Army officers with maritime experience.


Continental Navy and Marine Corps: Continental Navy and Marine Corps Authorized by the Continental Congress. 13 October 1775 - Navy Birthday Continental Congress approves purchase of two armed vessels. 10 November 1775 - Marine Corps Birthday Continental Congress authorizes two battalions of Marines. Samuel Nicholas - “First Commandant” of the Marine Corps Tun Tavern, Philadelphia 28 November 1775 - Rules for the Regulation of the Navy of the United Colonies established. December 1775 - Marine Committee appointed by Continental Congress to oversee naval affairs. Authorizes construction of 13 frigates. Debate continues over the need for naval forces: Samuel Chase of Maryland: “Maddest idea in the world.”


Continental Marines: Continental Marines


Early Military Operations: Early Military Operations American Siege of Boston - 1775 George Washington commands America’s Continental Army. Battle of Bunker Hill Royal Navy evacuates British forces to Halifax in 1776. American Invasion of Canada - 1775 Ethan Allen takes Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain. Siege of Quebec fails. General Benedict Arnold retreats to Lake Champlain - 1776. Small fleet of shallow-draft vessels built to stop British counter-attack.


First Navy Jack: First Navy Jack Hoisted at the main mast by Continental Navy Commander in Chief Esek Hopkins 3 December 1775


American Raid on the Bahamas: American Raid on the Bahamas Esek Hopkins Commander in Chief of the Fleet -- converted merchantmen. Eventually dismissed in 1777. Ordered to break British blockade of the Virginia coast. Discretionary clause in orders allows Hopkins to change plans. Raid on New Providence Island, Bahamas - March 1776 Storage area for British supplies of gunpowder and cannon. Sailors and Marines under Samuel Nicholas capture supplies and transport back to colonies.


Continental Navy: Continental Navy Raid on Bahamas Many frigates captured in port by British.


Continental Navy: Continental Navy Inferior naval power. Unable to build enough ships to challenge British command of the sea. Had to rely on French Navy for command of the sea. Commerce Raiding against British shipping. Effectiveness improved after French Navy forced Royal Navy to concentrate their ships into fleets.


Slide23: . New York City . Quebec Montreal . Hudson River Valley and Lake Champlain - Main invasion route between Canada and New York . Boston


General Washington - 1776: General Washington - 1776 Defense of New York from British invasion. Prevent British from dividing the colonies. Continental Army defeated and forced to retreat toward Philadelphia. Washington crosses the Delaware. Trenton Princeton Continental Army remains a threat to the British.


Battle of Valcour Island: Battle of Valcour Island British counter-attack across Lake Champlain to reach New York. British required to construct a fleet to counter Benedict Arnold’s fleet and secure lines of communication on the lake. Benedict Arnold loses all 15 of his ships. Tactical — Failure Battle delays British invasion - forces their withdrawal to Canada for winter months. Strategic — Victory


BattleofValcour Island: Battle of Valcour Island 11 October 1776


Battle of Saratoga: Battle of Saratoga


Battle of Saratoga: Battle of Saratoga Americans defeat and capture General “Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne in upstate New York. Turning point of the war. French enter the war as America’s ally. French Navy: 80 ships of the line. Small American rebellion becomes a major world war. Great Britain faces multiple enemies: 1775 American Colonies 1778 France and Spain 1780 Russia, Denmark, Sweden, Prussia, Austria, and Portugal form an Armed Neutrality.


The Surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga, New York. 17 October 1777: The Surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga, New York. 17 October 1777


A French Ally and a Global War (1778-1783): A French Ally and a Global War (1778-1783)


Fleet Actions: Fleet Actions “General Chase” melee tactics used unsuccessfully by Royal Navy against the French. Battle of Ushant Battle of Grenada Moonlight Battle off Cape St Vincent New view of some British admirals: No need to strictly adhere to the formal tactics found in the Permanent Fighting Instructions. Admirals now allowed more freedom of action. Franco-Spanish invasion of Britain planned. Admiral Rodney develops copper sheathing to prevent fouling of ships’ hulls.


Commerce Raiding: Commerce Raiding Capture enemy shipping using Navy ships or Privateers. Privateering very profitable - easy to find sailors. Difficult to man Continental Navy ships. Gustavus Conyngham - Irish American Captured 60 British vessels in 18 months. Successfully dug way out of prison on 3rd attempt after capture in 1779. Lambert Wickes and Reprisal 1st American ship in European Waters (1777) captures 23 ships. Transports Benjamin Franklin to France. John Paul Jones Receives first salute to an American ship from French Navy.


John PaulJones: John Paul Jones “Men mean more than guns in the rating of a ship.” “I wish to have no Connection with any Ship that does not Sail fast for I intend to go in harm’s way.” - 16 November 1778


Battle of Flamborough Head- 4 Sept 1778 Bonhomme Richard vs. SerapisJohn Paul Jones: “I have not yet begun to fight.”: Battle of Flamborough Head- 4 Sept 1778 Bonhomme Richard vs. Serapis John Paul Jones: “I have not yet begun to fight.”


Battle of Flamborough Head: Battle of Flamborough Head Battle of Flamborough Head


John Paul Jones: John Paul Jones “Without a respectable Navy - alas America!”


Rear Admiral Francois J. P. Comte de Grasse- Commander, French West Indies Fleet - 1781 : Rear Admiral Francois J. P. Comte de Grasse - Commander, French West Indies Fleet - 1781 USS Comte de Grasse (DD 974)


Yorktown Campaign: Yorktown Campaign August-October 1781


Battle of the Virginia Capes: Battle of the Virginia Capes Initially poor cooperation between Continental Army and French Navy. General Washington - need a combined operation for victory. 1781 Lord Cornwallis leads British Army to Yorktown. Washington marches south with Continental and French troops. French West Indies fleet sails north under de Grasse. British fleet under Graves: Reinforce or evacuate Cornwallis. de Grasse anchors inside the Chesapeake then sorties and defeats British fleet. Hood rigidly adheres to Permanent Fighting Instructions. Lord Cornwallis forced to surrender forces at Yorktown.


Battleof theVirginiaCapes5 September 1871: Battle of the Virginia Capes 5 September 1871


Battle of the Saints: Battle of the Saints Battle of the Saints - 1782 French fleets combines with Spanish ships in an attempt to capture British colonies in the West Indies. British fleet “Breaks the Line” of the French but fails to continue the battle.


British Technological Improvements: British Technological Improvements Cannonades Sir Charles Douglas “wedges” Better recoil no more “worming”


Battleof theSaints12 April 1782: Battle of the Saints 12 April 1782


Naval Policy: Naval Policy


British Naval Policy: British Naval Policy Superiority over Continental Navy. Royal Navy used to transport Army troops in America. Blockade of American ports established. Challenged by French Navy after 1778. Improvements in gunnery made after defeat at the Battle of the Virginia Capes. Permanent Fighting Instructions finally abandoned. New system of signals allows more freedom for admirals to maneuver fleet to concentrate firepower. Change in tactics from Formal to Melee. Maintained naval power at the end of the war.


Colonial Naval Policy: Colonial Naval Policy Sectionalism Continental Navy State Navies Privateers New Providence Expedition Penobscot expedition Commerce Raiders French Contribution


Conclusion of the War: Conclusion of the War Combined French/Spanish attack on Gibraltar defeated in 1782. French and British fleets battle for control of India. Treaty of Paris - 1783 Independence of American colonies. France restores most of Great Britain’s West Indian colonies.