Battles and Events pg. 18 Portfolio This week, students will briefly present, not read, their battle or event information. Questions may follow. Students write facts.

Lexington and Concord Opening battle of the Revolutionary War. (April 19, 1775) British marched to Concord to take Patriots hidden weapons. Known as “The shot heard round the world.”

What We Already Know

Fort Ticonderoga/Dorchester Heights Cannons were easily taken from Ft. Ticonderoga. General Knox was influential in moving the 59 cannons. It took 2 months over snow covered mountains with no roads. The cannons were placed on Dorchester Heights a threat to the British. General Howe withdrew his troops.

Cannons being moved Setting up cannon

Bunker Hill If the Americans didn’t run out of ammunition, they would have kept Bunker Hill. The British suffered heavy losses and it showed the Americans could hold their own.

British Strategy Generals: Howe, Burgoyne, Gage, and Cornwallis. Cut the New England states off from the rest of the states. Weakness – The terrain is so vast and you don’t know who the enemy is.

American Strategy Avoid crushing defeats. Win some battles, no matter how small. Better leadership, Help from France and other countries, knowledge of the land and the motivation for freedom kept them in the fight. Generals: Washington, Knox, Gates, Greene. Washington’s aide – Marquis de Lafayette.

*Battle of Trenton Washington’s tired men had to move across the river with swiftness, secrecy and surprise.

Battle of Trenton Exhausted from their Christmas celebrations, the German Hessians are caught off guard. No loss of American life. Spirits lifted when they gain supplies. 900 Hessian casualties

Battle of Saratoga Considered the turning point in the war. European nations NOW consider helping the Americans. Benedict Arnold was wounded and marries a loyalist. He turns traitor.

Winter at Valley Forge The low point when men in the Continental Army died from malnutrition, exposure to the cold and diseases. Many limbs were amputated due to frost bite. Soldiers wouldn’t desert because of the “Love of our Country.”

Continental Army – uniform color War on the Frontier Clark made it seem like he had a larger force. A tactic used more than once by the Americans. He executed Indians on the British side. He forced the British to surrender. Continental Army – uniform color

War at Sea British used their warships to cut off our trade, so privateers would capture British merchant ships for profit. John Paul Jones “I have not yet begun to fight” is a navy slogan today.

Artillery and weapons During the 1700’s artillery design did not change much, but cannon was key in destroying the enemy from a distance. These kids have muskets, which fire musket balls. Not as accurate a shot.

Guerrilla Warfare Guerrillas are small bands of fighters that weaken the enemy with surprise raids and hit and run attacks. Very effective tactic.

Battle of Yorktown Ending battle where General Cornwallis surrenders on October 1781. French ships trapped the British by water and Americans trapped them on land. Cost of War: Americans lost around 26,000 men and British lose about 10,000.

Influence on Other Countries The American Revolution also influenced people in other countries. The Declaration of Independence was widely circulated in France, and helped inspire the French Revolution in 1789.