1. The American Revolution
The Early Battles

2. The First Continental Congress
Meeting of representatives to discuss mounting tensions between the colonies and the British
Many felt war was unavoidable
Some states had given their delegates strict orders to seek a peaceful resolution
Georgia did not send representatives
Mixed actions
Encouraged continued peaceful boycotts
Ordered colonial militias to prepare for war
Sent ten resolutions to King George III declaring what they felt their rights were.

3. Virginian Patrick Henry
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

4. Patriots (Rebels) and Loyalists (Tories)
Colonists who chose to fight for independence from Great Britain
Called rebels by opponents
Supporters of Patrick Henry and the Sons of Liberty
Loyalists
Colonists who chose to side with the British
Called Tories by opponents
Persecuted by patriots
Divided nation
Friends and families
Benjamin Franklin was a patriot, while his son William was loyalist

5. Paul Revere’s Ride
British General Thomas Gage learned of many weapons being illegally stored in the town of Concord.
Sent troops to get the weapons
Thought his plan was secret
Patriot Paul Revere and other messengers rode ahead of the British warning everyone, including the local militias, called minutemen, that the British were coming
Bells rang and drums sounded to alert the minutemen, who could be “ready at a minutes notice”

6. Messenger Routes

7. Lexington
On April 19, 1775, British troop entered the town of Lexington, where seventy minutemen were waiting
The minutemen were ordered not to fire unless fired upon
The British also had orders not instigate violence
“The Shot Heard ‘Round the World!”
Suddenly, a shot rang out…
No one knows who fired the shot
Each side started firing
The battle was over in three minutes
8 dead minutemen, 10 wounded
1 wounded British soldier
This is the beginning of the Revolutionary War

8. Concord
Relatively unharmed from the Battle at Lexington, the British marched on to Concord
The colonials, warned of their coming, removed all of the guns and ammunition
The British in frustration set fire to the warehouses
The Concord minutemen began firing on the British
Skilled marksmen
Red British military uniforms
The British were forced to retreat to Boston

9. Second Continental Congress
Attempt at a Republican Form of Government in the colonies
Some wanted war, some wanted peace
Created the Continental Army
Made up of several militias
This would be the main body of the United States Army
Named Virginia Planter and French and Indian War veteran George Washington as Commander
First real United States Government

10. Battle of Bunker Hill
American Troops were fortified at Breed’s Hill overlooking Boston
Redcoats Headquartered in Boston
Redcoats needed to drive the Rebels off of the hill
Americans were in the superior position
Higher ground
British had heavy packs
Redcoats were mowed down by American forces
Poor ammunition: “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!”
The British attacked three times before the Americans were forced to retreat due to insufficient ammunition
British win, but lose twice as many soldiers as opponent

11. Battle of Bunker Hill
This is the map of the Battle of Bunker Hill. Notice the difficult terrain that the British would have to cross.

12. Brutal American defeats
Canada
Attempt to make Canada a 14th colony
While the city of Montréal was captured by patriot forces under general Richard Montgomery, the victory was short lived
General Benedict Arnold was unable to capture Quebec, and the combined armies of Montgomery and Arnold failed to capture and hold Canada
New York
Washington is unable to hold the city of New York from the British
He is overwhelmed by superior number and better training
The British capture and hold New York City
Nathan Hale, and America spy, is captured and hanged for aiding Washington: “I regret that I have only one life to give for my country…”

13. Morale Problem: Morale at an all time low
Americans had been kicked out of New York
90% of the Army that had been in Long Island is gone
Major desertions
Washington to his cousin: “I think the game is pretty near up…”

14. Major General Richard Montgomery
Major General Benedict Arnold

15. The Battle of Trenton December 26, 1776 Americans vs. Hessians
Hessians: German mercenaries hired to aide the British
Trenton, at the time, is a small town in New Jersey
It is extremely cold and snowy in the winter.
Americans: 2400 troops
Hessians: troops

16. Commanders at The Battle of Trenton
Americans:
Commander-in Chief George Washington
Major General Hugh Mercer
Brigadier General Nathaniel Greene
Major General John Sullivan
Washington Mercer Greene Sullivan

17. Commanders at the Battle of Trenton
Colonel (Oberst) Johann Rall

18. The Plan:
Cross the Delaware River on Christmas night and surround the Hessians at Trenton
The successful attack would boost extremely low morale
End the year on a positive note
Very dangerous idea. The Delaware River is full of ice.

21. The Problems General Henry Knox was in command or the crossing
Several men fell overboard
Due to weather (rain, snow hail), two groups of soldiers were unable to join Washington as planned.
Many soldier had no boots
An unplanned raid may have put the Hessians on guard. Washington is furious. To Adam Steven, the commander of the raid: “You sir! You sir may have ruined all my plans by putting them on their guard!”
Any stray people are rounded up.
Weather issues: General Sullivan is concerned that the weather will render the muskets and artillery ineffective. Washington to Sullivan: “Tell General Sullivan to use the bayonet. I am resolved to take Trenton…”

22. Colonel Rall Not popular with his troops
No concern for the comfort and well-being for his men
Not popular with his commander
Too fond of drinking and partying
Refused to fortify Trenton ,dismissed warnings of an imminent attack
Sent for reinforcements but was denied by both his Hessian superiors and the British
Rall is extremely overconfident

23. Hessian Quotes: Rall: “…attack is imminent…”
Hessian soldier: “We have not slept one night in peace since we came to this place…”
Rall: “…Trenton is indefensible…”
General Grant to Rall: “Be on your guard…”

26. The Aftermath
Significance of the battle was bigger than the battle itself
Casualties: almost 1400 Hessians captured, killed or wounded; 4 Americans wounded (including Lieutenant James Monroe, who will become the 5th President of the United States)
Washington unable to execute the second part of his attacks due to the two missing regiments that were delayed by weather
Morale was boosted, enlistments rose, and the Army was replenished