Battles of the American Revolution

The battles of Concord and Lexington were fought in Massachusetts in April, 1775. The Redcoats , led by General Thomas Gage, ordered the soldiers to Concord to destroy colonists’ weapons supply. Minutemen at Lexington tried to stop them – 8 were killed. LEXINGTON

CONCORD By the time the British got to Concord, they realized most of the weapons and gun powder were gone because the minutemen had been warned by Paul Revere. The British continued to Concord and were forced to retreat back to Boston by the Minutemen. On their way back, the American militia attacked the British from cover and killed 73 British. Lexington and Concord started the American Revolution and was known as “the shot heard around the world”

Notes Lexington and Concord 1st Major battles of the American Revolution “Shot heard round the world” Date April, 1775 Significant people: British General Thomas Gage, Paul Revere, and minutemen.

Bunker Hill Significance: 1st battle for the Continental Army. British realized America would not easily be defeated Colonel Prescott “don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes” Outcome: British won, but lost 1000 men. The Continental army realized that they needed better training.

TURNING POINT OF THE WAR!!! Battle of Saratoga TURNING POINT OF THE WAR!!! Before reaching Albany, British General Burgoyne was surrounded by the American army and running out of supplies.

Battle of Saratoga He surrendered to the Americans.

brought aid to the U.S. and fought in many battles. Battle of Saratoga SIGNIFICANCE: France decided to help Americans because they might have a chance of winning the war. Marquis de Lafayette - brought aid to the U.S. and fought in many battles.

Notes Saratoga “Turning point” of the American Revolution Kept Britain from isolating New England from the other states Benjamin Franklin persuaded France and Spain to join the fight against Great Britain Motivation….revenge!

To inspire the troops to keep fighting, Washington reads Thomas Paine’s The American Crisis.

Battle of Charles Town British believed most Southerners were Loyalists, didn’t have enough men to control Northern countryside. 1780- landed in S.C., trapped Amer. Forces in Charles Town and the city surrendered. Americans lost almost their entire Southern army. Worst defeat of the war Amer. General Horatio Gates tasked to create new S. army Battle of Camden- Amer. In condition to fight and inexperienced militia put in front lines. Gates fled w/ militia. Spirits fell to new low

Battle Of Charles Town (Charleston)

American and French armies and ships trapped the British army. Battle of Yorktown American and French armies and ships trapped the British army.

Battle of Yorktown British General Cornwallis surrendered to the Americans.

Notes Yorktown (Virginia) Located on the peninsula of Chesapeake Bay, hoping to receive supplies from N.Y. Washington traps the British on the peninsula 1781- French fleet arrives and blocks the bay; can't receive supplies or escape Yorktown Cornwallis (British General) surrenders and it effectively ends the war. (Oct. 19, 1781) Convinces Great Britain to negotiate with the Colonists to end the revolutions

Why Americans Won Americans were persistent Civilians kept the resistance alive, Brits not prepared for a popular uprising Patriots fought for their lives and independence Washington inspired loyalty and patriotism Fought close to home, knew the land France supplied them with money and troops, Spain joined the fight too

British decided to negotiate – not worth it to keep fighting. TREATY OF PARIS 1783 British decided to negotiate – not worth it to keep fighting.

TREATY OF PARIS 1783 BRITISH TERMS: Recognized U.S. as independent nation. Gave U.S. territory between Atlantic and Mississippi. Promised to withdraw their troops from U.S. Americans could fish off coast of Canada. AMERICAN TERMS: British merchants could collect debts owed by Americans. States would return property taken from Loyalists.

Exit Ticket Now that you read about the battles of the American Revolution, let’s watch the video again and see if you recognize the significance of the song. 1. Why is the name of the song called “Shot heard around the world?” 2. Which countries aided the Colonists in the war?