The American Revolution Major Battles and Independence Won!

General George Washington In June 1775, Congress chose him to be Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. He arrived in Cambridge, Massachusetts in July of 1775 to take command of his ill- trained troops in a war that was to last six years.

Washington Crossing the Delaware

Lord General Charles Cornwallis A British General, he helped capture New York in 1776 and chased Washington's troops across New Jersey.

Lord General Charles Cornwallis He moved his troops into Virginia and then was surrounded by the French and American troops at Yorktown. Unable to receive much needed reinforcements and supplies, he was forced to surrender by Generals Lafayette and Washington.

How long? How Many? The war lasted from total battles during the war

Battle of Bunker Hill Bunker Hill is the name of a battle fought near Boston, Massachusetts, on June 17th, 1775 between the Americans, led by Colonels Putnam and Prescott, and the British led by Generals Howe and Clinton. The Battle of Bunker Hill is misnamed. The battle actually took place on Breed's Hill, not Bunker Hill.

Battle of Bunker Hill The Americans repelled the first two attacks by the British, but were forced to retreat from the third attack when they ran out of ammunition. The battle was a costly victory for the British who lost more than 40% of their force. Even though the Americans were defeated, it proved that the British could suffer great losses, too, giving encouragement to the growing rejection of British rule.

Battle at Trenton When George Washington and the army arrived in Trenton, the Hessians were not prepared for such an attack force. They soon surrendered. The casualties were low on both sides with the Hessians suffering 22 deaths and 83 injuries and the Americans 2 deaths and five injuries. The Americans captured around 1000 Hessians. (WHO???) o The Hessian soldiers were German soldiers that the British hired to fight for them.

Brandywine Battle fought on September 11, 1777, when American troops under General George Washington tried to stop British troops under from reaching Philadelphia, the temporary American capital. 18,000 British troops were more than enough for the 11,000 Americans, who backtracked to Chester, leaving Philadelphia dangerously exposed. The British occupied the capital and then pressed on to Germantown.

Battle of Saratoga The Battle of Saratoga is considered the turning point in the war for independence. With the American victory, it proved to the world that the Americans were serious and powerful enough to defeat the highly trained British forces. The Battle of Saratoga was actually two battles - the Battle of Freeman's Farm and the Battle of Bemis Heights.

Battle of Saratoga Upon hearing of the American victory at Saratoga, the French declared recognition of the United States of America and fully supported their war of independence.

The French?? On February 6, 1778, Benjamin Franklin was in France signing the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and the Treaty of Alliance. The Treaty of Amity and Commerce recognized the U.S. as an independent nation and promoted trade between France and America. The second agreement, the Treaty of Alliance, made the fledgling United States and France allies against Great Britain in the Revolutionary War. The French decided to back the U.S. in its military efforts until the U.S. had full independence from Great Britain

Wave the white flag… The last major battle of the American Revolution was fought at Yorktown. Washington learned that the French Admiral de Grasse was sailing to Virginia to prevent the British army under the command of General Cornwallis from leaving Yorktown. He and the French General Rochambeau rushed their troops to Yorktown to trap the British and prevent them from escaping over land.

Wave the white flag… Admiral de Grasse's French fleet defeated the British fleet at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay so the relief that Cornwallis needed never came. Cornwallis was surrounded. The American and French troops gradually closed in on him.

Wave the white flag… Cornwallis surrendered to Washington on Oct 19, 1781.