An Overview of the American Revolution

Battle of Lexington & Concord “Shot heard ‘round the world” April 19, 1775 First battles of Revolution British were trying to seize gunpowder stored by the colonial militias Colonists won, but were stunned that fighting had actually broken out

Battle of Bunker Hill June 17, 1775 in Boston Actually took place on Breed’s Hill! British won, but suffered over 1000 casualties, 100+ of them officers “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!”

George Washington 1732 – 1799 Worked as a surveyor Served in French & Indian War Planter, lived at Mount Vernon Appointed as commander of the Continental Army due to his social position and military experience

The Declaration of Independence July 2 – 4, 1776 “all men are created equal” “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” Famous signers: Samuel Adams, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin

Thomas Jefferson 1743 – 1826 Author of Declaration of Independence Founded U. of Va. Inventor, architect, philosopher Sec. of State, VP, & 3rd President of U.S. Opium addict, slave owner

The Battle of Trenton December 26, 1776 Washington’s first major victory, restored confidence and morale Sneak attack by crossing Delaware River in the night Americans captured about 1000 Hessian soldiers

Articles of Confederation 1781 – 1788 First basis of the American government Left the central government too weak and the individual states too strong Central government only exists to manage foreign relations

Valley Forge Americans’ winter camp 1777-1778 About 1 in 6 soldiers died of disease due to the poor nutrition and living conditions Nearly broke Washington’s army, but he also used this time to retrain his troops

The Battle of Yorktown September 28 – October 17, 1781 Cornwallis had been cut off from escape by the arrival of the French navy First time a British army had unconditionally surrendered during the war Broke public morale in England

Britain recognized the United States as an independent nation Treaty of Paris (1783) Set border between the United States and British Canada Made Mississippi River a free river to be used by Americans, British, and Spanish

The Philadelphia Convention Met in 1786 to amend the Articles of Confederation and strengthen the central government of the United States 12

The Constitution Adopted 9/17/1787 Oldest constitution in use in the world today Amended 27 times, most recently in 1992 Created checks and balances between 3 branches of government 13

President George Washington First President (1789 – 1797) Only president to win 100% of electoral votes Warned against foreign entanglements Died in 1799