MAJOR BATTLES OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

STARTER – SEPTEMBER 17TH  What were the advantages and disadvantages of both the British and American colonists during the Revolutionary War?

STARTER – SEPTEMBER 18TH  Explain the battles of Tincoderoga, Bunker’s Hill, Trenton, Princeton, or Saratoga (choose one).

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE  The United States first needed to declare independence from Great Britain.  Thomas Jefferson, at the young age of 33, wrote the Declaration of Independence.  The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4,  That is why we celebrate Independence Day on July 4th.  This is the day that the United States of America declared their independence from King George and Great Britain.

THE WAR IN THE NORTH  Patriots drive British from Boston, NYC  Britain gets serious about war, sends huge amount of troops, ships, supplies  Britain kicks patriots out of NYC  Begins a year of defeats for Washington and Continentals

FORT TICONDEROGA  Key strategic location in New York  Ethan Allen and about 125 Green Mountain boys attacked fort  The Fort was taken without firing a shot  British officers and women and children were captured  Cannons were taken from Ticonderoga to Boston  Henry Knox: American Army top artillery commander  Major hero of American Revolution

BUNKER HILL  Red Coats victorious in third charge  Americans ran out of ammunition  Moral victory for American Army  Costliest battle for British during whole war  British casualties 1,054  American casualties 441  British began to get nervous  Washington took command of the army two weeks after this battle

TRENTON  Dec. 25, 1776  Continentals are in bad shape after many losses, casualties, few supplies  Most soldiers enlistments ending (enlistments last for one year, desertion a problem)  If Washington does not take immediate action the revolution is likely over

TRENTON  Washington’s bold plan- cross Delaware River on Christmas night  Surprise attack on German Hessians  Result: 30 Hessians killed, 918 Captured  Result: Only 4 Colonists killed  Result: Many guns, ammo captured  Result: Major morale boost for Washington and Continental Army

PRINCETON  Jan. 3, 1777  Washington builds on success, attacks 1200 British and captures or kills 1/3  Only 40 Continental casualties  Why Trenton Princeton Were Major Victories:  1. Boosted Patriot morale  2. Britain left New Jersey- remains in Patriot hands the rest of the war  3. Continental Army gains much needed supplies and weapons

SARATOGA  Oct. 17, 1777  Part of British Army went to Canada to attack from the North  They were to meet up with main British Army in NYC  The Continentals defeated the British in several battles around Saratoga  British surrendered 5800 men, supplies  Is a major turning point in war towards a Patriot victory  France sees success, becomes an ally, sending troops and $$  Later Spain becomes ally also

VALLEY FORGE  In late 1777, British force Continentals out of Philadelphia  They set up a winter camp at Valley Forge, PA  Awful conditions- few supplies, food, improper clothing for winter  1/4 died from starvation, cold, disease

THE WAR IN THE SOUTH – WHIGS V. TORRIES  Whigs: loyal to the Continental Congress  Tories: loyal to England- many in the South  Much violence between W. and T. in the South  British strategy- move war to the South where there were more loyalists, slaves (Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation), tire out Patriots  British Army was successful- captured Savannah and Charlestown

CAMDEN, SC  Worst American Defeat of war  British General Cornwallis defeats Patriot General Gates  British drew Patriots into a European style battle  1,000 Patriots killed  1,000 Captured

SWAMP FOX – ALTERED STRATEGY  Francis Marion- led a small band patriots on horseback  Used guerrilla tactics  Cut British supply lines, communications  Nathaniel Greene replaces Gates  Americans lead British on chase all through South, wasting British time and money

WAR ON THE FRONTIER  George Rogers Clark- 24 yr old  Travels through PA, OH, IN, IL  Recruits soldiers along the way  Captures British forts at Kaskaskea, Vincennes  Gave a huge amount of land to the Americans

FINAL BATTLE - YORKTOWN  Oct. 19, 1781  Cornwallis sets up a base on a peninsula at Yorktown, VA  Patriots+French surround British by land and sea- begin massive siege  Cornwallis surrenders 8,000 British troops- war effectively over