1. Notes on the American Revolution
Miss Springborn
Team 6

2. Anger Turns to Action… What is a revolution?
A violent uprising by the people of a country that changes its system of government.
A very large important change

3. Road to Revolution… Lexington and Concord on April 19th, 1775
British troops march from Boston to Concord trying to seize gunpowder the patriots were hiding
Patriot spies in Boston find out
Paul Revere and William Dawes both members of the Sons of Liberty travel on horseback to warn the Patriots
Famous saying “The British are coming”

4. Map of Lexington and Concord

5. Lexington and Concord continued…
By the time troops reach Concord, 70 brave minutemen have assembled to stop them
Fighting erupts and British troops turn back towards Boston
British run into 4,000 militiamen assembled to push the British back towards Boston
Fighting becomes known as “The shot heard round the world”
First fighting of the war

6. 2. Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17th, 1775
British attack with 2,400 troops to seize strategic spot overlooking Boston
About 1,600 Americans hold off British until running out of ammunition

7. A moral victory…
British win the battle BUT have over a 1,000 men dead or wounded
Even though the Americans lose, it is still a great moral victory because it gives the militia hope that we could win

8. Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1776
Written by Thomas Jefferson
Told the King that we were going to break away
Listed all our complaints about King George and Parliament
Officially declared us a separate nation from Britain

9. Both sides prepare for a fight…
Americans side:
Primary Goal:
Independence from Britain

10. Advantages over Britain…
Geography- “home-field advantage”
Good Military leaders (like George Washington)
Fighting for a moral cause
Allies with foreign countries
Use of NEW military tactics, gorilla warfare

11. Disadvantages for Americans…
WEAK government and no money
Army was very weak and no navy
Colonist were divided: Patriots vs. Loyalists
Weather: Harsh winters
Small Navy, depended on the French
Constant shortages of supplies like weapons, food, clothing, medicine

12. British Side…
Primary Goal:
Gain control over the colonies

13. Advantages over the Americans…
Strong Government with lots of money
Strong Army and Navy
Much larger population
Had many factories to build supplies
Inside help from the loyalists
Had use of hired soldiers from Germany

14. Disadvantages for the British…
Had to overcome long distance communication
Used old-style fighting tactics and had red uniforms
Very unpopular war, many in Britain were against it
The British underestimated their enemy, didn’t take them seriously enough

15. And the fight begins…then ends
George Washington takes command of the American troops in June of 1775.
Was Virginian delegate at both Continental Congresses .
He helps to plan many brilliant victories and keeps the army going.

16. Some important battles of the war…
Battle of Trenton on December 26th, 1776
Important because it was a great victory for the troops, helped lift the spirits of Washington and the troops
This is the famous event preceded by Washington crossing the Delaware

17. 2. Battle of Saratoga, October 17th, 1777
TURNING POINT BATTLE
Important because it showed the rest of the world the colonists were serious and might just win the war
Convinced France they should send us troops, negotiated by Ben Franklin
France Provides us with money, troops, and a navy

18. 3. Winter at Valley Forge, winter of 1777
Washington’s troops froze at this camp in Pennsylvania
They chanted “No pay, no clothes, no provisions”
Many died from disease and malnutrition
Low-point for American troops, over 1/5 of the soldiers there died

19. 4. Battle of Yorktown on October 19th, 1781
Important because British were blockaded into their fort and forced to surrender
Surrounded by Americans on land and the French at sea
This means AMERICANS WIN THE WAR!!!

20. 5. Treaty of Paris, 1783
This is the document that ends the revolutionary war
Gives the Americans INDEPENDENCE
New Boundaries are created…Mississippi to the WEST, Canada to the NORTH, and Florida to the SOUTH

21. Also… We gain fishing rights off the Canadian Coast
Loyalist are to be repaid for their property
British Soldiers are to leave all American Territories/Forts