2. Causes of the War 1.French and Indian War – left Britain with war debt 2.TAXES! (House of Burgesses declares that only they can tax Virginians…Britain dissolves the HOB). 3.Sons/Daughters of Liberty 4.Committees of Correspondence 5.Intolerable Acts passed after Boston Tea Party 6.1 st Continental Congress meets to condemn the Intolerable Acts

3. The Revolution Begins Colonists are split on the issue of Independence Loyalists (Tories) – remained loyal to the King Patriots (Whigs) – supported Independence Group who did not support either side

4. The Revolution Begins Lexington and Concord (1 st “battles”) Paul Revere’s ride... “The British are coming…” 70 minutemen were waiting on British in Lexington (8 were killed) British moved on to Concord – met 400 minutemen, who forced the British to retreat

5. The Revolution Begins 2 nd Continental Congress meets to address the issue of defense Created the Continental Army under George Washington

6. The Revolution Begins Battle at Bunker Hill Colonists turned back 2 British advances Colonial militia retreated due to lack of ammunition (stalemate) Huge boost to American confidence that untrained colonists could stand up to the feared British army

7. Decision for Independence Olive Branch Petition – asked the king to call off army while a compromise could be made…King George refused King shut down trade with colonies and blockaded the coast Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense (persuading colonists to fight for independence) Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence

9. Declaration of Independence Expressed “grievances” against the King (reasons why they were mad) Declares that “all men are created equal” Reflects the Enlightenment ideas of John Locke – Unalienable rights (life, liberty, property) Has been used by many other countries as a basis for independence

11. Strengths and Weaknesses Page 115 in Textbook

12. The British Strategy Build up a massive military to intimidate the Americans Invite delegates to peace conference (but only to negotiate a surrender) The British capture New York City (becomes their headquarters)

13. Valley Forge Continental Army camped at Valley Forge (PA) for the winter) Harsh winter conditions Continued to train troops – Marquis de Lafayette (France) helped Washington increase morale and improve discipline among the troops

14. American victory at Saratoga Turning point of the war – convinces France to send troops France becomes the 1 st country to recognize the US as an independent nation Formed alliance

15. War in the South The British focus their attention on the South (where they felt they had the strongest Loyalist support) Captured Savannah, then Charles Town Southerners organized into small militia units

16. British invade Virginia They hoped to keep control of the South American troops forced General Cornwallis to retreat to Yorktown

18. British invade Virginia They hoped to keep control of the South American troops forced General Cornwallis to retreat to Yorktown French ships arrived to block the British from escaping by sea British troops are forced to surrender

19. Treaty of Paris (1783) Britain recognized the US as a new nation with the Mississippi River as its western border