1. The American Revolution
Farmers and Shop Keepers defeat and Empire

2. How did they Compare?

3. British Supporters were called Loyalists

4. The Continental Army was Formed
Initially many volunteered
An enlistment lasted 1 year
Pay was often delayed until the war was over

5. Leadership and Desire
The British had better training and equipment… but no desire.
Whether the British won or lost made little difference to many British Soldiers
They had to hire German mercenaries called Hessians to assist in the war
Some compare it to Vietnam for the British

6. The Colonists had both! Americans rallied behind Washington
Women supported the war and in some cases even fought
To lose meant complete destruction of a way of life

7. Most Battles took place in the North

8. The American Victory at Saratoga was a turning point

9. Saratoga September 1777 Outmaneuvered by American forces
The British were cut off from their supplies
They surrendered to Gen. Gates
France now openly allied with the United States

10. Valley Forge Washington’s Winter Headquarters 1777-1778
Harsh conditions
Little food, clothing, or shelter
Some deserted
Many questioned their ability to defeat the British
Tom Paine publishes The Crisis

11. Cornwallis Surrenders October 19, 1781

12. What happened?
Over 16,000 American and British Troops converged on Cornwallis at Yorktown, Va.
The French Navy Blocaded the harbor
Cornwallis had 8,000 troops
Bewildered and astonished, Cornwallis surrendered
The British still controlled New York and few realized it was the end of the war

13. The American Revolution
What factors led to an American Victory?
Why were the British soldiers indifferent?
What were the terms of the Peace of Paris?
How long did the war last?
What would the next task be for the newly independent nation?

14. The British Concede Lord North Resigns
Lord Rockingham favors granting American Independence
Parliament withdraws its’ support for the war
King George was forced to accept defeat
Farmers and shop keepers had defeated and empire

15. The Treaty of Paris September 3, 1783
The U.S. was a “free and sovereign” nation
The U.S. gave up its’ claim to Canada
The U.S. Boundaries: The Mississippi in the west, The Great Lakes in the North, Florida in the South

16. And Now What…..? All we need is a plan for government.
See the U.S. Constitution presentation for more details!