The American Revolution Mrs. Lacks: US History

Shot Heard ‘Round the World… Lexington & Concord April 18, 1775 1st Battles of Am Rev

Second Continental Congress, 1775 Philadelphia, PA All 13 colonies Reaction to fighting in Massachusetts All colonies represented Reaction to fighting in Massachusetts Agenda: Define relationship with Britain Sent Olive Branch Petition in hopes of attaining peace/more power from Britain G. Washington appointed to lead potential colonial forces

Loyalist Strongholds

Washington’s Headaches Loyalties 1/3 of colonists: patriots 1/3 of colonists: loyalists 1/3 of colonists: neutral No money Poor military training Loyalists – also called Tories No money – congress couldn’t tax Poor training – minutemen/volunteer army

Military Strengths The Colonists: The British: Guerilla tactics Fighting at home (knew land, had help) Fighting for a cause The British: Experienced leaders Navy (blockaded ports) “Divide and Conquer”  use the Loyalists.

Phase I: The Northern Campaign (1775 – 1776) Most important battles: Lexington & Concord (considered one) Bunker Hill

Bloodiest battle of the American Revolution Bunker Hill, June 1775 Bloodiest battle of the American Revolution

Declaration of Independence, 1776 Written by Thomas Jefferson (in 16 days) Virginian Had written “A Summary View of the Rights of British America” Edited by John Adams & Ben Franklin Approved by Congress on July 4, 1776 (2 days after they voted for independence)

Too Late to Apologize, a Declaration http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZfRaWAtBVg

Phase II: NY & PA, 1777-1778 Two important battles: Trenton & Saratoga

Battle of Trenton, 1776 GW crossed the Delaware River on Christmas Eve and surprised the British troops at Trenton, NJ British were supported by Hessian Troops GW & colonial army win (major victory) – turning point

Washington Crossing the Delaware Painted by Emanuel Leutze, 1851

Saratoga, Turning Point Major win for colonists Convinced France to join war against the British (Ben Franklin) Secured French alliance

Valley Forge Pennsylvania (20 mi west of Philly) GW and Continental Army spent winter of 1777-78 Starvation, disease, exposure killed 2,500 soldiers

Phase III: The Southern Strategy [1780-1781]

Britain’s Southern Strategy Britain thought that there were more Loyalists in the South. The British win a number of small victories, but could not take the countryside British General: Charles Cornwallis

Battle of Yorktown, 1781 British cornered by American & French land and naval forces Cornwallis forced to surrender

Cornwallis’ Surrender at Yorktown: Painted by John Trumbull, 1797

Treaty of Paris, 1783 The United States of America are free and independent of British control Original US: All land east of the Mississippi River, south of St. Lawrence River & Great Lakes