Fighting At Lexington

LEXINGTON April 19, 1775 British troops are looking for weapons and ammo in the towns surrounding Boston. American minutemen clash with British troops. 8 Americans killed.

LEXINGTON WHO WINS? British regulars WHY? Training, better weapons, unprepared enemy.

LEXINGTON IMPACT First battle of the American Revolution

CONCORD British troops move on to Concord. American militia has time to rally and they defeat the British as they cross a bridge. British retreat back to Boston

Battle of Concord – The Bridge

CONCORD WHO WINS? American militia WHY? Guerilla tactics

CONCORD IMPACT British get pinned down in Boston, lose 300 men. Americans lose 50 men.

The Bridge Today

BREED’S (BUNKER) HILL June 17, 1775 British troops try to break out of Boston. The attack a well defended hill. 2,600 British regulars vs. 1,400 American militia.

British Troops Advancing up Breed’s Hill

“DON’T FIRE UNTIL YOU SEE THE WHITES OF THEIR EYES”

BREED’S (BUNKER) HILL WHO WINS The British (technically), but they lose over 1/3 of their force in the process (over 1,000 killed and wounded) WHY? British training allow them to take the hill, even with huge losses.

BREED’S (BUNKER) HILL IMPACT British lose a large portion of their army in Boston and are forced to give up the town. Americans show that they are serious. Following this battle, George Washington takes over the American army.

Battle of Trenton – Washington Crossing the Delaware

TRENTON December 26, 1776 Washington’s army is falling apart and he needs a victory. He locates an isolated British force and executes a daring sneak attack. The British force was mostly German mercenaries called “Hessians”

TRENTON WHO WINS? The Americans (4 wounded) 100 Hessian casualties, plus 1,000 captured WHY? The daring nature of their attack. The fact that many of the Hessians were drunk also helped.

Crossing the Delaware

TRENTON IMPACT Moral victory for America. Right in the middle of their darkest hour, Washington keeps the army together with a big win.

BRANDYWINE Sept 11, 1777 British troops have captured New York City and are moving on to the Colonial capital at Philadelphia.

BRANDYWINE WHO WINS? British troops soundly defeat Washington. Americans lose about 1,200 men, British lose about 500. WHY? Washington’s plan is too complex and he tries to fight in the European style.

BRANDYWINE IMPACT Philadelphia falls to the British. Washington realizes the need to change tactics and train his troops.

VALLEY FORGE Winter of 1777-78 Washington’s army goes into winter quarters. 2,500 men die of disease, exposure and starvation. The remainder receive training and unite as a group.

SARATOGA July-October 1777 British try to cut the American colonies in half by taking control of the Hudson River in New York.

Saratoga

SARATOGA WHO WINS? Americans - capture or kill about 9,000 men. WHY? Guerilla warfare. Poor leadership of “Gentleman” John Burgoyne

Gen. Johnny Burgoyne

SARATOGA IMPACT Americans capture 6,000 British troops Victory proves to Europeans that America has a chance of winning the war. Turning point of the war.

Gen. Burgoyne Surrendering

YORKTOWN Sept-October 1781 British flee from a combined French-American force. Besieged at Yorktown for several weeks.

YORKTOWN WHO WINS? American/French WHY? Americans have the help of the French army and navy

YORKTOWN IMPACT British surrender about 7,000 men (their last major army in America). The war ends

Yorktown