1. The American Revolution
CHAPTER 7
The American Revolution
Section 1: The Revolution Begins
Section 2: Declaring Independence
Section 3: Dark Hours for the Revolution
Section 4: The Patriots Gain New Hope
Section 5: Independence!

2. The Revolution Begins SECTION 1 First Continental Congress
Met in Philadelphia in 1774.
Georgia was the only colony not to send delegates.
Some delegates wanted war, others wanted peace.
A compromise was met. They would continue to boycott, but the colonial militia would get ready to fight if necessary.
Wrote a list of rights they felt they had to the King. (included: life, liberty, property)
If he didn’t agree with them, then war it would be !

3. The “Shot Heard round the World”
SECTION 1
The “Shot Heard round the World”
Tensions remained high in Boston, b/c of the troops there.
Minutemen – men who were to ready to fight in a minutes notice.
Some minutemen decided to start stocking up their weapons.
British General Gage decided to take them away. He believed they were in the small town of Concord (about 20 miles away).
The Sons of Liberty learned of Gages plan and decided to warn the people of Concord. (Revere)
Minutemen met Brits at Lexington and lost.
British burned Concord.
Defeat British retreating from Concord
Midnight Ride of Paul Revere (One if by land, 2 if by Sea – 2 were hung)

4. The “Shot Heard round the World” continued…
SECTION 1
The “Shot Heard round the World” continued…

5. The “Shot Heard round the World” continued…
SECTION 1
The “Shot Heard round the World” continued…

6. The Second Continental Congress
SECTION 1
The Second Continental Congress
Met in Philadelphia in May of 1775.
Things were different now. Colonists had fought battle vs. British.
Decide to create the Continental Army.
Washington will lead the army.
Sent the King the Olive Branch Petition.
Olive Branch Petition – last ditch effort for peace with England.

7. SECTION 1
Early Battles
While the 2nd Continental Congress was meeting, some Colonists were attacking the British.
Fort Ticonderoga – Benedict Arnold, led a daring early morning raid on the fort that captured much ammunition & weaponry for the colonists.
The minutemen were still surrounding the British troops in Boston.
Bunker / Breeds Hills – Colonists dug in and fought a larger better supplied army. Held their own, finally lost the hills.
“Don’t shoot til’ you see the whites of their eyes !”
Washington bombs the British out of Boston.
A surprised British Gen. Howe says, “the rebels have done more in one night, than my troops could do in a month.”

8. SECTION 1
The Revolution Begins
Question:
How did the fighting at Lexington and Concord affect the colonies’ dispute with Britain?

9. vs. less than 100 colonists’ militia members were believed
SECTION 1
The Revolution Begins
April 18, 1775
250 British casualties
vs. less than 100 colonists’
casualties
“Shot heard
round the world”
Lexington
Concord
Redcoats
April 19, 1775
Where muskets of
militia members were believed
to be stored
Paul Revere
and William Dawes

10. Declaring Independence
SECTION 2
Declaring Independence
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
Pamphlet that argued for breaking away from Great Britain. (Over 500,000 sold)
Stated that the Monarchy was not fair. That it was Common Sense that a King was not chosen by God to rule. The King with the best army ruled.
Paine called for the colonists to demand their independence.
Helped change the way many colonists viewed being under England's control.

11. Declaring Independence
SECTION 2
Declaring Independence
In June 1776, the Second Continental Congress met and set up a committee to write a document to declare independence from Britain.
Main author of document was Thomas Jefferson.
Expressed 3 main ideas:
All men possess unalienable rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness- inspired by John Locke)
King George violated the colonists rights: passing unfair laws, interfering with colonial governments, unfair taxes, & keeping a standing army in colonies during peacetime.
Colonists had the right to break away from Great Britain.
On July 4th, 1776 the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence.
The United States of America was born!!!
Declaration of
Independence

12. Patriots string up a Loyalist on a “Liberty Pole”
SECTION 2
Choosing Sides
Patriots – people who supported the colonist cause for independence.
Loyalists – people who supported the King.
The people on both side were very passionate about their cause.
Patrick Henry (Patriot) – “Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains of slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
Once the Dec. of Indep. was signed, Loyalists became the target of Patriots.
Some interesting Loyalists – Thomas Fairfax (Washington’s best Friend), William Franklin (Ben’s Son).
Patriots string up a Loyalist on a “Liberty Pole”

13. Other Reactions to the Declaration
SECTION 2
Other Reactions to the Declaration
Some people pointed out that the Declaration of Independence left out many colonists.
Although many women were Patriots, the Dec. of Indep. Left them out. – “All men are created equal”.
Abigail Adams – wife of John Adams wrote her husband and told him not to forget the women and what they did for Independence.
How about enslaved people? Some patriots compared to living under British rule as being slaves.

14. SECTION 2
Declaring Independence
Question:
What were the main ideas stated in the Declaration of Independence?

15. Declaring Independence
SECTION 2
Declaring Independence
Declaration of Independence, July 4th 1776
colonists’ rights—
the colonists have unalienable rights
actions of King George III—
King George violated these unalienable rights
actions of colonists—
because King George violated these rights, the colonists have the right to be independent

16. ** For both sides, the disadvantages were the other sides advantages.
SECTION 3
Dark Hours for the Revolution
Comparing Strengths & Weaknesses
At the beginning of the War, British seemed to have more adv. But, were they the important advantages?
British Advantages
Colonial Advantages
More $$
More Resources
More Powerful Military
Largest Navy in World
Hostile Citizens
Homefield Advantage
Their supplies were close
Better Leaders
** For both sides, the disadvantages were the other sides advantages.

17. SECTION 3 Washington’s first task was to organize his rag-tag troops.
A Call to Arms
Washington’s first task was to organize his rag-tag troops.
During the war, more than 375,000 Americans fought for the colonists.

18. SECTION 3 Other Sources of Help
Some Indian groups entered the war on behalf of the British.
Many women fought for the Patriots.
Molly Pitcher helped out her husband and troops by bringing them water and supplies during battles. In one battle, her husband was wounded, so she took his place loading the cannons.

19. Early in the War, the Pendulum swung in favor of the British.
SECTION 3
British Victories
Early in the War, the Pendulum swung in favor of the British.
The British victory vs. Benedict Arnold at Quebec was a devastating loss for the Colonists.
General Howe drove George Washington out of New York in another devastating campaign.

20. SECTION 3
Dark Hours for the Revolution
Question:
What contributions did men, women, American Indians, and African Americans make to the war effort?

21. fought on both sides but many remained neutral
SECTION 3
Dark Hours for the Revolution
Women
served as nurses, spies, or messengers; ran farms or businesses; some fought in battles
Men
many volunteered
for army
War Effort
American Indians
African Americans
fought on both sides but many remained neutral
many fought for British to gain freedom; free African Americans were allowed to join patriots

22. The Patriots Gain New Hope
SECTION 4
The Patriots Gain New Hope
Victory in New Jersey
Washington planned a surprise attack on the Hessians on Christmas day.
The battle took less than an hour. Washington and his 2400 troops captured more than 900 Hessians w/just 5 American casualties. This boosted the American Spirit.
Washington then took off for the town of Princeton. General Cornwallis rushed to stop him. Washington won the Battle of Princeton.
Cornwallis caught Washington and surrounded him. Proud of all that his troops did to catch Washington, Cornwallis let his troops rest.
How did Washington escape?
After the British victories in Quebec and New York, Gen. Howe thought the war would be over soon, so he kept his troops in NY for the winter to rest.
This gave Washington time to regroup and get some reinforcements.
The British had hired a group of Germans (Hessians) to fight for them. The Hessians had taken over New Jersey. Howe left Jersey in the Hessians hands for the winter.

23. The Patriots Gain New Hope continued…
SECTION 4
The Patriots Gain New Hope continued…
Battle of Princeton
Battle of Trenton

24. Turning Point at Saratoga
SECTION 4
Turning Point at Saratoga
After defeats at Princeton and Trenton, the British were embarrassed. They wanted revenge and they got it.
The British went on a winning streak, winning battles at: Ticonderoga, Brandywine Creek, and various others.
Battle of Saratoga stopped the winning streak and turned the tide of the war.
In this battle, the Americans captured General Burgoyne’s entire army.
The greatest victory of the war for the Americans.
Gave the world confidence that the Americans might be able beat the British.
Gave the French the opportunity to join the Americans in the war.

25. SECTION 4 Foreign Allies
Spain and France were enemies of the British, therefore, they secretly helped the Americans during the war.
Spain helped the Americans on the western front. France helped on the Eastern front.
Many individuals also aided the French: Marquis de Lafayette – even though he lacked experience, his belief in the Patriot cause made Washington like him. He even gave up to $200,000 of his own money to the Americans.
Tadeusa Kosciuszko and Kazimierz Pulaski from Poland helped train the Americans.

26. SECTION 4 Winter at Valley Forge
The entry of France & Spain into the war came at a critical time: the Americans were running very low on supplies and France & Spain provided just that.
In December 1777, Washington and his troops settled in at Valley Forge Pennsylvania for the winter.
B/c of the shortages of supplies, they suffered and more than 20% of their troops died b/c of disease & malnutrition.
By the end of the winter, Washington’s troops were growing frustrated. Friedrich von Steuben came to help Washington. He ruled w/respect and fear.
W/von Steuben’s help, the Continental Army was quickly becoming well trained.

27. SECTION 4
The War at Sea
The Americans also faced difficult odds in the war at Sea.
American Navy only had 8 ships. British had hundreds.
Why was this important?
American navy tried to fight hit & run battles.
John Paul Jones: one of the most successful American Captains.
Captain of ship Bonhomme Richard.
In one famous battle, the Bonhomme Richard had been struck & was sinking, when the British captain called out and asked Jones if he was ready to give up, Jones pulled up beside the British ship (Serapis) and jumped aboard. He did so yelling, “I have not yet begun to fight !”
The Bonhmme Richard sunk, but he took over the Serapis and took it home.

28. SECTION 4
The Patriots Gain New Hope
Question:
In what ways did foreign nations and individuals aid the Patriots?

29. The Patriots Gain New Hope
SECTION 4
The Patriots Gain New Hope
NATION/INDIVIDUAL
CONTRIBUTION
France and Spain
Bernardo de Gálvez
Marquis de Lafayette
Tadeusz Kosciusko
Kazimierz Pulaski
Friedrich von Steuben
provided military supplies
helped on western frontier
fought and provided money
brought engineering skills
helped train cavalry units
taught basic military skills

30. SECTION 5
Independence!
The War in the West
George Rogers Clark – major factor in the war on the western frontier.
Made a difficult journey across rivers and forests to attack a British fort by surprise.
Kept the British busy with his small force. This didn’t allow them to destroy all hopes on the Western Front and then start closing in on Washington in the East.

31. SECTION 5 War in the South
After the American victory at Saratoga, the British focused their efforts on the Southern frontier of the War.
As they marched through the South, defeating the Patriots, they destroyed all of the patriot property.
Horatio Gates led a patriot army of about 4,000 to try and take back the South: only about 700 made it out of the battles alive.
They didn’t give up thought – they fought guerilla warfare.
Francis Marion – “Swamp Fox” was the best guerilla fighter for the Patriots.

32. SECTION 5 Victory at Yorktown
In 1781 – Patriots were low on supplies & $$ again. Foreign allies did not help end the war quickly. The army’s morale suffered a severe blow when one of the Patriots best leaders Benedict Arnold turned traitor and went over to the British. On top of all that, the British controlled most of the South.
Lord Cornwallis wanted to tighten his grip on the “rebels,” so he moved his troops on to Yorktown.
Cornwallis followed American troops led by Lafayette into Yorktown. Meanwhile, Washington snuck up behind Cornwallis trapping him at Yorktown.
Cornwallis looked for help from the British Navy in the Chesapeake Bay…The problem for him was that the French had already driven the British Navy out.
After several weeks, Cornwallis surrendered.

33. Victory at Yorktown cont…
SECTION 5
Victory at Yorktown cont…

34. SECTION 5 Treaty of Paris 1783 New Borders of The US.
The delegates took more than 2 years to come to an agreement.
The treaty of Paris 1783 ended the war with Great Britain recognizing the independence of the US.
The treaty also set new borders for the US.
With the war over, the Patriots could now return home to their families.
New Borders of
The US.

35. SECTION 5
Independence!
Question:
What are some important facts about each of the major Revolutionary War battles?

36. surrendered to Clark without a fight
SECTION 5
Independence!
July 4, 1778
Kaskaskia
surrendered to Clark without a fight
took difficult route
Camden
Charleston
Vincennes
Yorktown

37. Chapter Wrap-Up CHAPTER 7
1. Why did the colonies declare their independence from Britain?
2. What are the three rights that all men have according to the Declaration of Independence?
3. Why did some foreign countries help the Patriots, and what role did Patriots such as Benjamin Franklin play in gaining this support?

38. How did the Continental Army carry out a successful siege of Boston?
Why would a passage condemning (saying it was bad) slave trade have been removed from the declaration of Independence?
How did the Continental Army carry out a successful siege of Boston?
What was the colonists greatest advantage over the British?
After the Declaration was signed, why did many of the Loyalists leave the colonies?
What happened after the Patriot assault on the Siege of Boston?
The main goal of the American navy during the war was to do what?
What famous quote came from the British Prime Minister after Cornwallis’s surrender at Yorktown?
How did colonists feel about the fighting at Lexington and Concord?
Why did George Washington like Marquis de Lafayette?
Define the following:
Patriot
Loyalist
Battle of Vincennes
Minuteman
Redcoat
Siege
Mercenaries
Treaty of Paris 1783
Battle of Trenton
Declaration of Independence