The American Revolution

Key British People King George III General Cornwallis General Howe

Key American Players General George Washington General Friedrich Von Steuben minutemen Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys Marquis de Lafayette

Battle of Lexington and Concord April 19, 1775 British troops went to confiscate (take) weapons and ammunition held by the minutemen Paul Revere’s Ride to alert the minutemen that the British were coming “Shot heard round the world” The fighting ended all hope of a peaceful settlement

Fort Ticonderoga May 10, 1775 Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys surprise attack on the British held fort Colonists gain cannons, gun powder and a key route into Canada

Battle of Bunker Hill June 16, 1775 First MAJOR battle of Revolution Outnumbered Americans inflicted heavy British casualties (1000:400) Costly British win Proved Americans could fight bravely and British would not be easy to defeat

“Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes”

Momentous Non Battle Moments Common Sense: January 1776 Declaration of Independence: July 4, 1776 America declares itself free from English rule

Up until the signing of the Declaration of Independence, most of the fighting of the Revolution took place in New England In 1776, the fighting shifts to the rest of the colonies

The Battle of Long Island August 27, 1776 The British had 34,000 troops and 10,000 sailors Washington had 20,000 troops and no sailors British land on Long Island for a surprise attack easily defeating Washington Nathan Hale an American spy was captured and killed by the British. He said “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country”

The Battle of Trenton December 26, 1776 Washington’s troops were sick and tired and deserting everyday. Thomas Paine wrote The Crisis urging Americans to support the troops. Washington planned a surprise attack on Christmas day capturing or killing almost all of the Hessian guards there.

Battle of Princeton January 3, 1777 British General Cornwallis tried to recapture Trenton and Washington. When he spotted campfires, he went to attack. Washington had tricked him. He left the campfires burning and went on to sneak attack Princeton for an easy victory.

Battle of Saratoga October 17, 1777 The British plan was to attack Albany, take control of the Hudson River and cut off New England from the other colonies. The British were attacked in Bennington VT, and the Green Mountain Boys went to New York to help. When they reached Saratoga, American forces surrounded them, forcing the British to surrender. This was a major turning point because it: boosted American spirits ended the British threat to New England France now declared war on England and became an ally of the US

Winter at Valley Forge 1777-1778 The Continental army camped out in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania under harsh conditions. Soldiers slept in damp huts and on freezing ground. They had little or no warm clothing and a shortage of supplies. General Friedrich Von Steuben, one of the best in Europe, came to help train the Continental army.

Battle of Yorktown October 9, 1781 Cornwallis’ troops were low on supplies. He retreated to Yorktown peninsula to meet British supply ships Washington saw an opportunity to trap Cornwallis and marched his troops to Yorktown Meanwhile the French fleet raced to Yorktown by sea, beating the British fleet and blocking them from reaching Cornwallis’ troops. Cornwallis realized it was hopeless and surrendered on October 19, 1781

the British agreed to recognize America as an independent nation The End of the War On October 19, 1781, the British surrendered their weapons to the Americans. On April 15, 1783, Congress approved (ratified) the Treaty of Paris the British agreed to recognize America as an independent nation