THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

ESCALATING CONFLICT April 1775 – British troops fired at nearby Lexington killing 8 minutemen – British moved on to Concord, where they destroyed a small amount of gunpowder – Concluded the Battles of Lexington & Concord 2 months they met at Bunker Hill & Breed’ Hill – Americans retreated, but the British lost 1,000 soldiers It was clear that the resolve of the colonial militia had been grossly underestimated

ESCALATING CONFLICT Second Continental Congress met with Franklin, Hancock, & S. Adams Appointed G. Washington as head of the Continental Army – adopted a provisional government June 7, 1776 – Virginia delegate Richard Lee proposed all connection be dissolved

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE July 4, 1776 – delegates issued the Declaration of Independence – Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration Jefferson detailed the delegates’ belief that government is a social contract – if government becomes too harmful that the people had the right to change the government Outlined what King George III had done wrong, & it declared the colonies’ independence

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Colonists wanted a government that served the people, rather than a ruler – colonists wanted to be self- governing – they became traitors in the eyes of the British Declaration was heavily influenced by the Enlightenment – John Locke, held life, liberty, & property as natural rights – all men are created equal, they are endowed by their Creator with unalienable Rights Charles Montesquieu – idea of power being divided between an executive & legislative branch – influence the Declaration & the Articles of Confederation, which governed the new nation from 1781 to 1789

THE BATTLES Washington lost the Battle of Long Island – forced to retreat to Pennsylvania – December 25, 1776, he launched a surprise attack by first crossing the Delaware R. – his forces captured over 900 Hessians Revolution lasted for 7 years – Battle of Saratoga proved America’s ability to fight, bolstering American resolve & attracting European support Washington’s army all but abandoned the fight during the winter of 1778 at Valley Forge

THE BATTLES Troops received much needed training from Baron von Steuben, a former officer in the Prussian army – Franklin helped secure a French alliance that provided military & financial aid Marquis de Lafayette, volunteered to serve in the army – his military expertise proved invaluable; he worked closely with Washington & became a life long friend

THE BATTLES With French help, in 1781, the Continental Army defeated General Cornwallis, trapping 8,000 British & Hessian soldiers at the Battle of Yorktown – final battle Peace came with the Treaty of Paris 1783 – political map of N.A. changed – Americans were free to move west, their territory bordered now by the Mississippi R., Canada remained under British control

1. OF WHAT SIGNIFICANCE WERE THE BATTLES OF LEXINGTON & CONCORD? A. They brought the American Revolution to an end. B. They were the first battles in America’s fight for independence. C. They gave the upper hand to Great Britain against the Continental Army. D. They indicated that the war for independence would be swift.

2. WILLIAM FRANKLIN, THE ROYAL GOVERNOR OF NJ, WAS A LOYALIST. HIS FATHER, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, SIGNED THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. WHAT DOES THIS EXAMPLE INDICATE ABOUT COLONIAL SENTIMENT? A. The loyalists and patriots were able to find common ground. B. Most colonists felt that the American Revolution was a just cause. C. The Declaration of Independence had the support of loyalists. D. The cause of liberty resulted in great division among the colonists.

3. HOW DID THE TREATY OF PARIS 1783 CHANGE THE POLITICAL MAP OF NORTH AMERICA? A. Great Britain gained land. B. The United States claimed land that had been under British control. C. France ceded Florida to Spain. D. The United States gained Florida from Spain.

4. OF WHAT IMPORTANCE WERE MEN SUCH AS THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE & BARON VON STEUBEN TO THE AMERICAN CAUSE? A. They served as spies. B. They provided expertise. C. They assisted the British. D. They served in Congress.