Changes

During the winter of 1777 Washington quartered his troops in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  This winter was filled with suffering.  The troops lacked supplies and many died of starvation and cold.  But the training the troops received during this time was invaluable.  Prussian Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben drilled the troops throughout the winter, and his expertise may well have aided in turning the tide against the British.

During the winter of 1777 Washington quartered his troops in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  This winter was filled with suffering.  The troops lacked supplies and many died of starvation and cold.  But the training the troops received during this time was invaluable.  Prussian Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben drilled the troops throughout the winter, and his expertise may well have aided in turning the tide against the British.

In 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation to govern the colonies, but they were not ratified until 1781.  The government they instituted was weak, without a president or courts, and unanimous approval was required to amend them.  Eventually, they were replaced by the Constitution.

In 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation (ratified in 1781) to govern the colonies.  This established a weak national government, without a president or courts, and unanimous approval was required to amend the Articles of Confederation.

At Saratoga in upstate New York in October 1777, 6,000 British soldiers surrendered, constituting a huge victory for the colonies.  It is a mystery to this day whether [[Benedict Arnold]] actively directed our army there, or had little influence, before becoming a traitor and going over to the British side.  The Saratoga victory was the turning point in the war, because the French then ended its neutrality and entered on our side.

At Saratoga in upstate New York in October 1777, 6,000 British soldiers surrendered, constituting a huge victory for the colonies.  It is a mystery to this day whether [[Benedict Arnold]] actively directed our army there, or had little influence, before becoming a traitor and going over to the British side.  The Saratoga victory was the turning point in the war, because the French then ended its neutrality and entered on our side.