Ideas Help Start a Revolution Section 2

Peace or War? Second Continental Congress John Adams wants separate governments John Dickinson argues Colonial militia named Continental Army Who is general?

Battle of Bunker Hill British led by Gen. Thomas Gage Patriots wait atop Breed’s Hill Wait to fire til last minute Fend off 2 advances 3rd advance succeeds 311 colonists; 1,000+ British killed July 8, 1775 send Olive Branch Petition King George III rejects; blockade coast

Patriots Declare Independence Common Sense attacks King Written by Thomas Paine Colonists should declare independence American destiny Better society, equal opportunities for all Colonists shift sides

Declaring Independence Each colony forms government “These United Colonies are, and of a right ought to be, free and independent States” Jefferson writes Declaration of Independence “Unalienable rights” “All men are created equal”

Americans Choose Sides Patriots Artisans, farmers, merchants, landowners ½ population Loyalists Judges, councilors, governors Divided many Americans Fighting two wars

Struggling Toward Saratoga Section 3

Loss in New York British Retreat from Boston; capture N.Y. Want to isolate NE General William Howe Hessians arrive w/Howe Washington & 23,000 to N.Y. Outnumbered & retreat across Delaware into PA 8,000 remain in army

Battle of Trenton Washington needs victory Risks whole war on one night What night does he cross Delaware? 9 mile trek to Trenton Hessian army unprepared 30 killed, 900 captured Washington retreats to Morristown for winter

Fight for Philly & Saratoga Continental army defeated at Phila. Gen. Burgoyne marches into disaster Heads for NY Loses men in forests, faces resistance Cont. Army meet from NY/NE Gen. Burgoyne in NY, Gen. Howe in Philadelphia Burgoyne surrounded & surrenders

Turning Point Saratoga intrigues French France wants revenge on England Secretly sends weapons to Americans France recognizes America’s independence France joins American side

Valley Forge Washington camps at Valley Forge Winter of 1778 Struggle to survive No supplies reach Valley Forge Lose 2,000 men to starvation & freezing Months for French to arrive British army well rested in Philadelphia

Colonial Life During Revolution Financing the War Inflation Rising prices, lower value of money Profiteering Selling scarce goods for profit Civilians at War Women take on new roles American slaves escape North

Winning the War Section 4

Balance Shifts Allies join American side Assist at Valley Forge Prussian captain Friedrich von Steuban Drillmaster, trains soldiers Continental army becomes powerful force

French Allies Marquis de Lafayette Praises America for wanting freedom 20 year-old French aristocrat Praises America for wanting freedom Joins Washington at Valley Forge Leads command in Virginia during final years

British Move South Change strategy in 1778, head South Victory in Savannah in 1779 Gen. Henry Clinton replaces Howe in NY Clinton and Gen. Cornwallis victorious at Charles Town 5,500 American soldiers captured Regain momentum….briefly

1781 Momentum switches British win battles, suffer heavy casualties Cornwallis moves to VA, loses battle to Lafayette Cornwallis makes drastic mistake Camps out at Yorktown with 7,200 soldiers Plan: Fortify Yorktown, take VA, move North to meet Clinton

British Surrender Continental Army marches South French fleet block route out of Chesapeake Bay 6,000 French soldiers join at Yorktown Total of 17,000 soldiers surround Cornwallis at Yorktown Siege lasts 1 month October 17, 1781 Cornwallis surrenders War is over

British Surrender at Yorktown

Seeking Peace Peace talks in Paris, 1782 Who represents America? Adams, Franklin, John Jay Britain recognizes American independence Treaty of Paris Independence confirmed New boundaries set Atlantic to Mississippi river Now face challenge of establishing new government New nation left vulnerable