Lexington and Concord Where: Lexington and Concord Massachusetts When: April 19, 1775 Who: Colonial Militia vs. British Redcoats Why: First armed conflict of the Revolutionary War

First Shots of the Revolutionary War

“The Shot Heard Around The World”

Crossing the Delaware Where: Trenton New Jersey When: December 25, 1776 Who: Washington’s Army Why: Washington needed to win by completing a sneak attack

CROSSING THE DELAWARE RIVER Fighting in the British style—lined up facing each other on a big open field—was not working. Washington knew he had to outsmart the British. On a bitter cold Christmas evening in 1776, Washington made a daring move. He took 2,400 men, bundled in rags to keep warm, and silently rowed across the Delaware River to Trenton, New Jersey, where 1,200 Hessians—fierce German soldiers hired to fight for Britain—were stationed. Washington’s attack was unexpected. The enemy soldiers had partied too much celebrating Christmas and had no choice but to surrender. It was the first small victory for the Continental Army.

Battle of Saratoga (New York) This American VICTORY was the turning point of the Revolutionary War

Battle of Saratoga Where: Saratoga New York When: September to October 1777 Who: British vs. Americans Why: The turning point victory for the Americans

FRANCE, HOLLAND, and SPAIN now on our side Gave money to Americans for guns, ships, and supplies French would help the most

Valley Forge

Valley Forge Where: Valley Forge PA When: Winter of 1777-1778 Who: George Washington Continental Army Why: Harsh winter retreat

Valley Forge Equipment was in tatters Starving Sick No shoes Cold winter

Battle of Yorktown Lord Cornwallis: British GENERAL who surrendered at Yorktown. George Washington: Commander of the CONTINENTAL Army

Battle of Yorktown Where: Yorktown VA When: October 19, 1781 Who: George Washington Continental Army and FRENCH NAVY vs. Cornwallis and British Why: End of the Revolutionary War

Look at the French Fleet

Battle of Yorktown

Surrender at Yorktown (Virginia) This was the colonial victory over forces of Lord Cornwallis that marked the END of the Revolutionary War

Signing of the Treaty of Paris Great Britain recognized AMERICAN independence in this treaty (agreement for peace). It was signed on September 3, 1783

BEN FRANKLIN!!