American Revolution in New York

Battle on Long Island – August 23, 1776 Three weeks after the New Yorkers pulled down the statue of King George III in 1776, thousands of British soldiers landed on Long Island. Three weeks after the New Yorkers pulled down the statue of King George III in 1776, thousands of British soldiers landed on Long Island. For four days, the American militia and the British soldiers under General Howe battled each other near what was then the village of Brooklyn. For four days, the American militia and the British soldiers under General Howe battled each other near what was then the village of Brooklyn. American soldiers were beaten so badly that British troops waited for the Continental Army to surrender, or give up. American soldiers were beaten so badly that British troops waited for the Continental Army to surrender, or give up. George Washington had other plans: When a heavy fog moved in, he and his troops escaped by rowing boats across the East River to Manhattan. George Washington had other plans: When a heavy fog moved in, he and his troops escaped by rowing boats across the East River to Manhattan.

Battle of Manhattan – August 27, 1776 A Few weeks later the Americans and British fought each other in Manhattan; once again the Continental Army lost and the British captured New York City. A Few weeks later the Americans and British fought each other in Manhattan; once again the Continental Army lost and the British captured New York City. Washington and his soldiers left the city and went to New Jersey. Washington and his soldiers left the city and went to New Jersey.

Battle of Harlem Heights: September 1776 Meanwhile, Washington and his Continental Army were camped north of New York city. They planned to attack the British forces at dawn. Meanwhile, Washington and his Continental Army were camped north of New York city. They planned to attack the British forces at dawn. It was on present-day 120 th street that the army won its first battle against the British commanded by British General Alexander Leslie. It was on present-day 120 th street that the army won its first battle against the British commanded by British General Alexander Leslie. They were able to push the British army south as far as present day 103 rd street. They were able to push the British army south as far as present day 103 rd street. They had finally won a battle against the redcoats! They had finally won a battle against the redcoats!

The Ride of Sybil Ludington: April, 1977 In the spring, many farmers in upstate New York went back home to do spring planting. In the spring, many farmers in upstate New York went back home to do spring planting. Henry Ludington of Ludington Mills, New York heard that the British were only 30 miles away in Danbury, Connecticut. He feared that they would be headed for his farm. Henry Ludington of Ludington Mills, New York heard that the British were only 30 miles away in Danbury, Connecticut. He feared that they would be headed for his farm. His 16 year old daughter, Sybil, volunteered to ride at night to “sound the alarm”, and to ask other farmers to gather at Ludington’s farm. His 16 year old daughter, Sybil, volunteered to ride at night to “sound the alarm”, and to ask other farmers to gather at Ludington’s farm. Because of her bravery, her father and other farmers to were able to make plans to prevent the British from raiding their farms. Because of her bravery, her father and other farmers to were able to make plans to prevent the British from raiding their farms.

General Burgoyne's Three Step Plan: June, 1777 British General John Burgoyne had a plan to capture New York Colony. British General John Burgoyne had a plan to capture New York Colony. 1. He and his troops would 1. He and his troops would had south from Canada had south from Canada 2. A second army, led by British Colonel St. Leger, would march east from Oswego 2. A second army, led by British Colonel St. Leger, would march east from Oswego 3. A third group led by British General Howe would come 3. A third group led by British General Howe would come south from New York City. south from New York City. They would all march toward Albany. Once Albany was captured, the British would control all of New York. They would all march toward Albany. Once Albany was captured, the British would control all of New York. Burgoyne and his soldiers entered New York and defeated forces at Fort Ticonderoga and Lake George. Burgoyne and his soldiers entered New York and defeated forces at Fort Ticonderoga and Lake George. His plan was working. His plan was working.

Burgoyne's Plan Begins to Fail -> Battle of Oriskany: August, 1777 British soldiers under Colonel St. Leger marched toward Oriskany but were defeated by American Troops. British soldiers under Colonel St. Leger marched toward Oriskany but were defeated by American Troops. Mohawk chief, Joseph Brent, ally of the British, fought with Colonel St. Leger at Oriskany. Mohawk chief, Joseph Brent, ally of the British, fought with Colonel St. Leger at Oriskany. Meanwhile, British General Howe, instead of marching north as planned, decided to attack and occupy Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, British General Howe, instead of marching north as planned, decided to attack and occupy Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Burgoyne’s Plan Continues to Fail-> Battle of Saratoga October, 1777 Burgoyne’s army of 7000 men was now on its own. Burgoyne’s army of 7000 men was now on its own. The larger American army of 12,000 men, led by General Horatio Gates, defeated the experienced British army and General Burgoyne at Saratoga. The larger American army of 12,000 men, led by General Horatio Gates, defeated the experienced British army and General Burgoyne at Saratoga. This was known as the turning point of the war because: This was known as the turning point of the war because: 1. it helped convince the French that Americans could win a war. 1. it helped convince the French that Americans could win a war. 2. France decided to help the Americans and sent money and soldiers. 2. France decided to help the Americans and sent money and soldiers.

The Great Chain By 1778, the Americans had four forts located on or near the Hudson River. By 1778, the Americans had four forts located on or near the Hudson River. To protect these forts from attacks by the British Navy, the American Military put the Great Chain across the Hudson River. To protect these forts from attacks by the British Navy, the American Military put the Great Chain across the Hudson River. It was made of iron links, each two feet long, and weighing pounds. It was made of iron links, each two feet long, and weighing pounds. The chain was anchored on shore and attached to logs that were floated out into the river. The chain was anchored on shore and attached to logs that were floated out into the river. No British ship ever got past the chain No British ship ever got past the chain

The War Ends: The Battle of Yorktown: October, 1781 The British surrender at Yorktown, Virginia marking the last battle of the American Revolution The British surrender at Yorktown, Virginia marking the last battle of the American Revolution British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington. British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington. The Treaty of Paris 1783 was signed putting an end to war and documenting the independence of the 13 colonies. They were officially now a separate country. The Treaty of Paris 1783 was signed putting an end to war and documenting the independence of the 13 colonies. They were officially now a separate country.