1. Revolutionary War 1775-1783

2. PatriotsNeutrals –Colonists who supported the War -“common” or “poor” people who did not want to become involved with the War

3. Loyalists (Tories) People who supported Great Britain because of economic ties

4. Factors Leading to Colonial Victory

5. Diplomatic Ben Franklin negotiated a treaty of alliance with France to help the colonists

6. Military General George Washington – Commander of the continental army

7. Military He kept army together despite lack of supplies, bad weather, and pay shortages

8. Military Advantages Colonial army had home field advantage –Guerilla warfare:sneak attacks Desire to Win –Fighting for freedom

9. Key Battles of Revolutionary War

10. Lexington and Concord (1775) First battles of the war Fought by Massachusetts Minutemen (militia) against British Army Won by Great Britain

11. Trenton (1776) Gen Washington crossed Delaware River on Christmas Night to attack British Colonial victory boosted morale for struggling army

12. Saratoga (1777) First Significant Colonial Victory Turning point of the war because France began to support the colonists

13. Yorktown (Oct. 1781) Gen Washington trapped British General Cornwallis with help of French General Lafayette Cornwallis surrendered ending the War

14. Treaty of Paris (1783) Officially ended the Revolutionary War Granted the colonies their full independence from Great Britain