Notes on the American Revolution Miss Springborn Team 6

Think about it… If you were a colonist, what would make you angry enough to fight against your king?

Anger Turns to Action… What is a revolution? –A violent uprising by the people of a country that changes its system of government. –A large important change

Road to Revolution… 1.Lexington and Concord on April 19 th, 1775 British troops march from Boston to Concord trying to seize gunpowder the patriots were hiding Patriot spies in Boston find out Paul Revere and William Dawes both members of the Sons of Liberty travel on horseback to warn the Patriots Famous saying “The British are coming”

Map of Lexington and Concord

Lexington and Concord continued… By the time troops reach Concord, 70 brave minutemen have assembled to stop them Fighting erupts and British troops turn back towards Boston British run into 4,000 militiamen assembled to push the British back Fighting becomes known as “The shot heard round the world” First fighting of the war

Think about it… Why do you think the fighting as Lexington and Concord was known as the “Shot heard round the world”?

2. Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17 th, 1775 British attack with 2,400 troops to seize strategic spot overlooking Boston About 1,600 Americans hold off British until running out of ammunition

A moral victory… British win the battle BUT have over a 1,000 men dead or wounded Even though the Americans lose, it is still a great moral victory because it gives the militia hope that we could win

Think about it… What do you think they mean by a moral victory?

Declaration of Independence, July 4 th, 1776 Written by Thomas Jefferson Told the King that we were going to break away Listed all our complaints (grievances) about King George and Parliament Officially declared us a separate nation from Britain

What did we nickname this document? The greatest breakup letter in history…

What does each side want from a war? Americans side: Primary Goal: Independence from Britain

British Side… Primary Goal: Re-gain control over the colonies

And the fight begins…then ends George Washington takes command of the American troops in June of Was Virginian delegate at both Continental Congresses. He helps to plan many brilliant victories and keeps the army going.

Some important battles of the war… 1.Battle of Trenton on December 26 th, 1776 Important because it was a great victory for the troops, helped lift the spirits of Washington and the troops This is the famous event preceded by Washington crossing the Delaware river in the night to surprise the troops in Trenton

2. Battle of Saratoga, October 17 th, 1777 TURNING POINT BATTLE Important because it showed the rest of the world the colonists were serious and might just win the war Convinced France they should send us troops, negotiated by Ben Franklin France Provides us with money, troops, and a navy

3. Winter at Valley Forge, winter of 1777 Washington’s troops froze at this camp in Pennsylvania They chanted “No pay, no clothes, no provisions” Many died from disease and malnutrition Low-point for American troops, over 1/5 of the soldiers there died

4. Battle of Yorktown on October 19 th, 1781 Important because British were blockaded into their fort and forced to surrender Surrounded by Americans on land and the French at sea This means AMERICANS WIN THE WAR!!!

5. Treaty of Paris, 1783 This is the document that ends the revolutionary war Gives the Americans INDEPENDENCE

Now some facts about the American Revolution…