Key Battles of the American Revolution

Road to Revolution SWBAT importance of the key battles of the Revolutionary War and the reasons for the American victories.

Revolutionary War Some events and battles of the Revolutionary War were so significant that historians refer to them as “key.”

Lexington & Concord

Lexington & Concord Where? Lexington and Concord were small towns outside of Boston, MA. When? Even though they were fought in different towns, both battles took place on April 19, 1775. The first shots of the American Revolution were fired at Lexington.

Lexington & Concord Who? Paul Revere and William Dawes warned the colonists about the British attack. Colonel Smith, Major Pitcairn, and Lord Percy led the British troops.

Lexington & Concord The British wanted to… capture some “troublemakers” such as Sam Adams and John Hancock. destroy the military supplies stored in Concord.

Lexington & Concord Minutemen were ready when the British arrived and they retreated. Minutemen were colonists ready to fight in a minute. This battle is referred to as the “shot heard round the world” because of the impact of American revolutionary ideas on other nations.

Lexington & Concord After Lexington and Concord, the Second Continental Congress met and named George Washington Commander-in-Chief of the army.

Lexington & Concord Colonists Won!

Bunker Hill

Bunker Hill Where? Two big hills near Boston (Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill). When? June 16, 1775 A few months after the start of the American Revolution

Bunker Hill Who? Colonel William Prescott led the American soldiers from Boston. General William Howe led the British soldiers.

Bunker Hill The battle of Bunker Hill was important because the colonist’s learned a lot. Colonists were forced to surrender the hill to the British, but they showed the British that they were a strong army.

Bunker Hill The colonists did not have much ammunition. So, Colonel Prescott told the American troops not to fire their guns “until you see the whites of their eyes.”

Bunker Hill British Won

Battle of Saratoga

Battle of Saratoga Where? When? Two battles were fought near Saratoga, New York. 1st Battle: John Freeman’s farm (he was a British supporter) 2nd Battle: Bemis Heights. When? September 19 – October 17, 1777

Battle of Saratoga Who? Major General Horatio Gates, General Benedict Arnold, and General Benjamin Lincoln led the American colonists. General John Burgoyne led the British troops.

Battle of Saratoga General Horatio Gates General Benedict Arnold General Benjamin Lincoln

Battle of Saratoga This battle was the turning point of the war for the colonists. American forces defeated the British when the British tried to split the colonies at the Hudson River.

Battle of Saratoga Because of this victory the French decided to help the Colonists. They helped the colonists by providing ships, soldiers, supplies and financial assistance.

Battle of Saratoga Colonists Won!

Siege of Charleston After the British were defeated in New York, their focus turned to South Carolina. The British hoped to find many Loyalists here.

Siege of Charleston

Siege of Charleston At first the British failed to take over Charleston because of tides and the resilience of the palmetto log fort (Fort Moultrie).

Siege of Charleston The British were able to capture it with the second time. The port of Charleston was under siege by the British for many days. It was attacked by blockading the harbor and cutting off supply lines. Siege - a military operation where an area is surrounded to keep it from getting help/supplies and to get people to surrender

Battle of Saratoga British Won

Battle of Cowpens Cowpens was an important battle in South Carolina. It showed cooperation between the army and the supporters of the colonists also called Partisans.

The partisans led the attack! Battle of Cowpens The partisans led the attack! They fled the field, tricking the British into thinking that the Americans were retreating. Instead the partisans lured the British so the Americans could attack!

Battle of Cowpens Colonists Won!

Yorktown, a peninsula in Virginia, was the final battle of the war. Battle of Yorktown Yorktown, a peninsula in Virginia, was the final battle of the war.

Battle of Yorktown The French assisted General Washington and his army by blockading the harbor. The blockade prevented British ships from entering the harbor and allowing the British army to escape the American troops on land. Surrounded by the American and French forces, the British surrendered.

Battle of Yorktown A peace treaty was negotiated by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay. It was agreed upon 2 years later.

Battle of Yorktown Colonists Won!