The American Revolution 4th Grade Social Studies

What Events Led to the American Revolution? The French and Indian War (1754-1763) The Sugar Act (1764) The Stamp Act (1765) The Boston Massacre (1770) The Boston Tea Party (1773) Vocabulary: Congress – a meeting or convention. Tyranny – very cruel and unfair use of power.

“Intolerable Acts” After the Boston Tea Party King George III ordered the Royal Navy to blockade the Boston Harbor until all of the tea was paid for. The colonists were forced to quarter British soldiers. King George III

The First Continental Congress In 1774 the delegates from all of the colonies except Georgia met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They wanted to discuss all of the problems they were having with Great Britain.

The American Revolution The Battle of Lexington and Concord It’s War! The American Revolution The Battle of Lexington and Concord April 19, 1775 in Massachusetts. British troops were sent to Lexington and Concord in search of hidden weapons, but the Massachusetts Militia known as the Minutemen were armed and ready!

Lexington and Concord (1775) The Battle of Lexington and Concord Where are the weapons? The British troops never found any hidden weapons. The colonists had already moved them. Shots were fired and the British marched back to Boston. Along the way the British troops were attacked by the Minutemen hiding on the road. This marked the beginning of the American Revolution

The Second Continental Congress Representatives from the colonies met again on May 10, 1775. They discussed breaking away form Great Britain and gaining their independence (freedom). The decided to write a document declaring their independence.

The Declaration Committee They formed a committee of 5 men. Benjamin Franklin John Adams Robert R. Livingston Roger Sherman Thomas Jefferson

The Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776. The document was a way for the colonists to respond to the tyranny and abuse of power by King George III. Natural rights: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

John Hancock He was the first man to sign the Declaration of Independence. He signed it the largest too because he wanted to be sure that King George III saw his name.

Where is it now? Washington, D.C.

The Continental Army The Continental Army was led by General George Washington. The army consisted of mostly untrained volunteers. They had very few supplies or uniforms. Some soldiers didn’t even have shoes!

The Battle of Saratoga This was the turning point of the Revolution in 1777. The American troops defeated the British in New York. This victory convinced the French to support the colonists. The French saw anyone against Great Britain as a friend.

The Battle of Yorktown In 1781 the Continental Army defeated the British troops at Yorktown, Virginia. Great Britain’s Lord Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington. America had won its INDEPENDENCE!

Geography Matters Armies always use the geography of an area to help them in battle. For example armies like to have control of the high ground so they can see everything going on around them. At the Battle of Lexington and Concord, American soldiers hid in the woods and behind stone fences, so they could surprise their British enemy.

Geography: Battle of Saratoga The British faced many geographic challenges in the Battle of Saratoga. British generals could not get messages to each other. There were few roads – just thick forest. Heavy rain turned the ground into thick mud. The Americans used the geography to their advantage by hiding in the woods, and staking positions at high viewpoints.

The Battle of Saratoga

Geography: Battle of Yorktown The British were camped at Yorktown, Virginia located on the Chesapeake Bay. The British chose the location because it was easy for ships to bring supplies. American and French troops surrounded Yorktown. The French Navy moved into Chesapeake Bay blocking all British ships from bringing in supplies. After 2 weeks the British soldiers surrender – the war is over.

Battle of Yorktown

Important People King George III George Washington British king during the American Revolution. Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. He later became the first president of the United States.

Important People John Adams Benjamin Franklin Massachusetts lawyer who was on the Declaration Committee. He later became the 2nd president of the U.S. A colonial leader who was also an inventor and a scientist. He helped create the Declaration of Independence.

Important People Benedict Arnold Thomas Jefferson Former Continental Army officer who sold information to the British Army. He left the Continental Army, and joined the British Army He is one of the most famous “traitors” in history. The main author of the Declaration of Independence. He later became the 3rd president of the U.S.

Patrick Henry - Virginia political leader known for his famous speeches. - Just before the American Revolution began he said, “I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!”