1. A New Nation at WAR!!
The Revolutionary War begins as Minutemen in Massachusetts exchange shots at Lexington & Concord with the REDCOATS.

3. Americans pick sides
Patriots-Believed in complete independence from Britain
Provided troops for the army.
Loyalists or Tories-remained loyal to Britain based on cultural & economic ties.
Believed taxation was necessary for protection.

4. A Declaration of Freedom 1776!
“WE hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.”“Government gets its power from the people”
If a government violates these rights; “abolish it and institute a new government .”
Thomas Jefferson

5. Ethan Allen & the Green Mountain Boys
Ethan Allen is best known
for the capture of Fort
Ticonderoga at the
outbreak of the
Revolutionary War and
his leadership of the
Green Mountain Boys.

6. The Battle of Great Bridge on December 9, 1775
MAJOR BATTLES
Resulted in the capture of Norfolk
by the Americans and the complete
destruction of Norfolk on January 1,
1776. The Battle ended the rule of
the British Crown in Virginia. Loyalists
fled with the British.

7. Major Battles
Dec. 26th 1776-Battle of Trenton Washington crossed the Delaware River and surprises the Hessians to get weapons.
The American victory was the first of the war, and helped to restore American morale.

9. Ben Franklin asks the French for Help!
Congress sent Franklin to France in December, 1776 to secure French aid for the Revolution.

10. Battle of Saratoga
Colonial victory that marked the turning point of the war. Convinced France and Spain to aid the rebels
One quarter of the British forces in North America thus surrendered, and, while many battles were yet to be fought, American Independence was assured.

11. Trouble at Valley Forge
Dec Colonists suffered through a brutal winter at Valley Forge
Thomas Paine writes “the CRISIS” urging people to support the war and fight for Liberty. “
“These are the times that try a man’s soul!”

12. Victory at Sea!
September 23, 1779-John Paul Jones defeats a British warship in the North Sea. When asked to surrender; Jones declared," Surrender NEVER, I have not begun to fight."

14. American TRAITOR
General Benedict Arnold conspired to turn his command of West Point over to the British in exchange for a British commission and money.

15. Battle of Yorktown, VA 1781

17. VICTORY at Yorktown, VA 1781 America got help from the French Navy at
the Battle of Yorktown
and was able to force
Cornwallis to
surrender.

18. Help from France French nobleman who helped the Americans at Yorktown
Marquis de Lafayette

19. Treaty of Paris Signed- 1783
On September 3, 1783, a peace treaty was formally signed between Great Britain and the United States. This treaty officially ended the Revolutionary War.

20. Help from Everyone BLACKS WOMEN About 5,000 Wives had to handle
Served in the Continental Army.
Some slaves escaped to the North.
WOMEN
Wives had to handle
the family business
Mend Clothing
Made ammunition
Cooked for troops
Some served in Combat

21. Factors Leading to America’s Victory
1. The British government grew tired of the
struggle.
2. Benjamin Franklin negotiated a Treaty of
Alliance with France.
3. The leadership of Washington
British underestimated the colonists strong desire to
be FREE.