Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys -May, 1776 -Led Vermonters in a surprise attack on Fort Ticonderoga Easily overpower British Gain valuable canons

Second Continental Congress Creates Continental Army John Adams proposes that George Washington should be commander Congress sends Olive Branch Petition to England professes loyalty to King Asks to repeal Intolerable Acts Rejected by King

Patriots vs. Loyalists With your partner Place an “L” next to facts that are about LOYALISTS Place a “P” next to facts that are about PATRIOTS

Battle of Bunker Hill June 16, 1775 First major battle in Revolutionary War Colonel William Prescott led minutemen up Breed’s Hill (Bunker Hill) “Don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes” British retreat twice but win battle on third try Over 1,000 redcoats killed 400 Americans killed

The Tide Turns Washington uses canons won from Fort Ticonderoga to hold Boston King George III orders blockade of all colonial ports American armies move into Canada, hoping for help Benedict Arnold and lead troops toward Quebec French-Canadians did not support Americans Americans fail when trying to take city of Quebec Britain holds Quebec

Common Sense January 1776 Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine “Everything that is right or reasonable pleads for Separation…tis time to part Paine said it didn’t make sense that a small island country should rule America

Declaring Independence Common Sense affects the minds of colonists The First Continental Congress chose committee to write a declaration of independence Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the document -July 4, 1776- declaration is accepted and signed by Congress

Britain sends more troops Heavy fighting starts to shift to the middle states General Howe leads the British against General Washington Washington loses the Battle of Long Island and 1,400 Americans were wounded, killed, or captured Washington sends Nathan Hale to spy on British and General Howe, Hale is later captured and hanged. As Hale walked to the gallows he declared : “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country”

Surprise Attack on Trenton General Washington led the attack Washington tricks Cornwallis and leads attack on Princeton the next day Victory gives new hope to the Americans

Battle of Saratoga Britain plans to send 3 armies to Albany to finish off the Americans Only one army ( led by General Burgoyne) made it to Albany Burgoyne retakes Fort Ticonderoga, but many troops are attacked by patriots Burgoyne is forced to surrender at Saratoga on October 17, 1777 Battle convinces French to become ally of the Americans They sign first treaty with “Americans” Recognized America as independent Agreed to provide military aid The Netherlands and Spain also join the war against the British

Help from overseas France brings soldiers- Marquis de Lafayette Germany sends general to help train American army (Friedrich von Steuben) Poland sends 2 officers: Casimir Pulaski & Thaddeus Kosciusko

Valley Forge Washington’s troops suffer at Valley Forge in the winter Patriots (men and women) from around the nation send help

War around the Nation John Paul Jones “I have not yet begun to fight” Women: help the war effort by harvesting crops, making flags, blankets and clothing.

Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown Yorktown, Virginia October, 1781 British General Cornwallis goes to the Yorktown Peninsula to be resupplied. The French navy along with French & American troops surround Cornwallis After a two-week siege (surround and prevent re- supply) Cornwallis surrenders his army. “It’s all over!”

Treaty of Paris (sound familiar?) The British recognize the United States of America as an independent nation. U.S. gains all land East of the Mississippi April 15, 1783 – Congress ratified the treaty. 8 yrs. after Lexington and Concord. Franklin, John Adams and John Jay negotiate the treaty of Paris.