Battles of the American Revolution

“Shot Heard Round the World” – lexington and concord Colonial Militias prepared for a fight. In New England these volunteers were known as the Minutemen….ready to fight in a minutes notice! British troops left for Boston in the middle of the night April 19, 1775…they had orders to arrest the Sons of Liberty and find their stash of weapons. Paul Revere galloped through the countryside warning that the “British Are Coming”

Early Morning April 19th 1775, the British reached the town of Lexington Massachusetts where Captain John Parker and 70 Minutemen were waiting. As the “Shot Heard Round the World” rang out, the professional British Army overpowered the minutemen as they fled to Concord

The British continued on the Concord to seize the Patriots hidden supplies. On a bridge outside of Concord, the British were met by hundreds of Minutemen………..this time the Minutemen forced the British to retreat..

The Patriots used hit and run tactics to kill or wound hundreds of British Redcoats as they retreated back to Boston. The day of fighting was over, but the American Revolution had just begun

The Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia in May 1775. They created the Olive Branch Petition to declare their loyalty but to ask for repeal of the Intolerable Acts They also established the Continental Army with George Washington of Virginia as the commander.

Militia men fortified the hills around Boston to fire on British ships Battle of BUNKER HILL Militia men fortified the hills around Boston to fire on British ships

The British marched up Bunker Hill to remove the Continental Army.

The Americans were low on gunpowder, they were advised….. “Don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes” Low on supplies, the Colonists retreated.

The British won Bunker Hill, however they lost over 1000 soldiers in the battle The Battle of Bunker Hill showed the willingness of the colonist to fight.

RWSL The battle of Bunker Hill was significant because _______________________________________ _______________________________________

Common Sense

By early 1776 many colonist were still against the idea of total independence Thomas Paine tried to change public opinion through his publication Common Sense Thomas Paine’s arguments helped persuade many colonists to support the fight for Independence "These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." - Common Sense, January 10, 1776 I challenge the warmest advocate for reconciliation, to shew, a single advantage that this continent can reap, by being connected with Great Britain. I repeat the challenge, not a single advantage is derived. Our corn will fetch its price in any market in Europe, and our imported goods must be paid for buy them where we will. "- Common Sense, January 10, 1776

RWSL I believe the British had the advantage during the Revolution because_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________. Yet I also believe the Colonists had an advantage because _______________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Declaration of Independence

Battle of New York Fighting shifted to the Middle Colonies. The British wanted to capture New York City, the center of the Colonial economy

British attacked Washington’s army on Long Island and inflicted heavy casualties Washington avoided capture and retreated into Pennsylvania.

The British will occupy New York City for the rest of the war Washington is humiliated by the loss

Trenton and Princeton

On Dec 25th 1776 Washington launched a surprise attack crossing the frozen Delaware River. He captured over 800 Hessian prisoners without losing one man.

Hessian was a German soldier hired (mercenary) by the British

January 1777, Washington captures another 300 British soldiers at Princeton New Jersey

Washington would go on to lose the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown…outside of Philadelphia…..the British will stay the winter occupying the city of Philadelphia

RWSL The disadvantages of the British were _________________ _____________________________________________________________. The disadvantages of the Colonists were _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Saratoga British General Burgoyne planned to cut off New England from the rest of the colonies. Daniel Morgan and the colonist had another idea.

American General Horatio Gates surrounded Burgoyne’s remaining forces at Saratoga New York. Burgoyne surrendered his entire army to the Americans

Saratoga was a turning point in the war Benjamin Franklin would help negotiate Treaty of Alliance with France and Spain

Winter at Valley Forge

Washington and his men spent the long cold winter of 1777-1778 in Valley Forge Pennsylvania. The American troops were in desperate need of food and warm clothing

French volunteer Marquis de Lafayette used his own money to help and train the Continental Army Prussian Baron Von Steuben also taught them the essentials of military drills, tactics, and disciplines

Unsung Heroes Spanish Bernardo de Galvez helped the Colonists by defeating the British in several battles in Louisiana and Florida

American Naval Commander John Paul Jones steered his burning ship into the British warship Serapis shouting “I have not yet begun to fight”

One of Washington’s best generals, Benedict Arnold switched sides and joined the British in 1780. Arnold felt he had not received the credit he deserved.

Haym Salomon was a Jewish immigrant who played an important role in financing the Revolution. He loaned over $600,000 of his own money as well

By 1780 the fighting moved south By 1780 the fighting moved south. The Patriots continued to use hit and run raids. The British move to Virginia for support

Yorktown

British General Lord Cornwallis moved his troops to Virginia to set up camp and wait for reinforcements. The time was right for Washington to set the ultimate trap. James Armistead (a slave) was a double spy and gave Washington information Washington had over 16,000 American and French soldiers ready to fight Cornwallis was not impressed, he opted to board British ships and sail to New York Before he could leave, a fleet of French battleships sailed into the Bay…Cornwallis was now trapped.

Washington would lead a three week attack on the British

Trapped, Lord Cornwallis surrendered on Oct 17, 1781…the Americans had won their INDEPENDENCE!

RWSL I believe the Colonist were able to defeat the British because __________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Treaty of Paris 1783 Great Britain recognized the United States as an independent nation United States gained all land east of the Mississippi River from Canada to Florida U.S. agreed to return all property taken from Loyalist