1. The American Revolution
The American Nation
Chapter 6
The American Revolution
1775–1783

2. Chapter 6: The American Revolution 1775–1783
The American Nation
Chapter 6: The American Revolution 1775–1783
Section 1: Fighting Begins in the North
Section 2: The Colonies Declare Independence
Section 3: Struggles in the Middle States
Section 4: Fighting for Liberty on Many Fronts
Section 5: Winning the War in the South

3. Congress Struggles Between Peace and War
Chapter 6, Section 1
The Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. Members of Congress looked for a way to avoid a break with Britain.
Congress sent the Olive Branch Petition to King George III.

4. Congress declared its loyalty to the king.
Congress asked the king to repeal the Intolerable Acts.
The king was angry. He ordered more troops to the colonies.
Chapter 6, Section 1

5. The Second Continental Congress established the Continental Army.
Chapter 6, Section 1
The Second Continental Congress established the Continental Army.

6. Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys, a band of Vermonters, took Fort Ticonderoga. They took British cannons and gunpowder and control of a key route into Canada.
Chapter 6, Section 1

7. Fighting Begins in the North
Chapter 6, Section 1
How did Congress struggle between peace and war with Britain?

8. Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Side
Chapter 6, Section 1
Sides
Patriots— colonists who favored war with Britain
Advantages
Many Patriots owned rifles.
George Washington was a brilliant commander.
Patriots were determined to defend their homes and property.
Disadvantages
Poorly organized and untrained
Few cannons, little gunpowder, no navy
Few colonists were willing to enlist for long terms
British
Highly trained and experienced.
Best navy in the world.
Loyalists—American colonists who remained loyal to British.
Far from home
Attacked by the colonists in the countryside

9. Fighting Begins in the North
Chapter 6, Section 1
What advantages did each side have as it entered the war?

10. The Battle of Bunker Hill
Chapter 6, Section 1
British troops controlled Boston. Colonial militia surrounded the city.
Across the river from Boston, minutemen fired on British ships from Bunker Hill.

11. British troops drew near to attack the colonists.
Two times the colonists turned back British attacks.
With the third attack the British took Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill, but they suffered heavy losses.
Chapter 6, Section 1

12. The Battle of Bunker Hill showed:
Americans could fight bravely.
The British would not be easy to defeat.
Chapter 6, Section 1

13. How the Continental Army Gained Control of Boston
Chapter 6, Section 1
When Washington reached Boston, he found 16,000 American troops waiting.
Washington began to train an army.
The cannon that the Green Mountain Boys captured arrived. Washington placed them on Dorchester Heights, overlooking British ships in the harbor.
British General Howe spotted the cannon and left Boston for Canada.

14. Fighting Begins in the North
Chapter 6, Section 1
How did the Continental Army gain control of Boston?

15. Section 1 Assessment
Chapter 6, Section 1
When the Second Continental Congress first met, the members were hoping to
a) drive the British out of Boston.
b) establish an independent empire.
c) crush the revolt.
d) avoid a final break with Britain.
One of the Patriots’ advantages was that
a) they were fighting for their own homes and property.
b) they had an excellent navy.
c) Loyalists were on their side.
d) many colonists were willing to sign up for long periods of time.

16. Section 1 Assessment
Chapter 6, Section 1
When the Second Continental Congress first met, the members were hoping to
a) drive the British out of Boston.
b) establish an independent empire.
c) crush the revolt.
d) avoid a final break with Britain.
One of the Patriots’ advantages was that
a) they were fighting for their own homes and property.
b) they had an excellent navy.
c) Loyalists were on their side.
d) many colonists were willing to sign up for long periods of time.