The Revolution Begins! The Shot Heard ‘Round the World

Lexington and Concord 1. Age of Exploration 2. Colonization/ Period of Salutary Neglect/Enlightenment 3. F/I War 4.Taxation and Frustrations 5. Revolution 6. Declaration of Independence

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, "Peace It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, "Peace! Peace!" -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

The Dividing Line Generally younger Patriots Tories Generally younger Usually from poor or working class families Lived in areas where the Anglican Church was weak Inland, away from ports Usually older and from conservative families Usually from richer, aristocratic families Were strong in areas where the Anglican Church was strong

First Continental Congress Philadelphia, 1774 12 colonies present (GA absent) Did NOT desire independence, but did send the king a list of grievances.

Second Continental Congress (1775) Olive Branch Petition: Pledged America’s loyalty and asked for peace King George III formally declared the colonies to be in a state of rebellion Declaration of the Causes and Necessities of Taking Arms

Common Sense Thomas Paine’s Common Sense: Urged American independence as common sense Wrote plainly and convincingly In the physical world, the smaller body never ruled the larger one It was illogical for a country to rule another from 3000 miles away He had no respect for a king who did not protect his own people

America Secedes From Great Britain Richard Henry Lee made a motion for independence on June 7, 1776. A committee was formed to create a formal written declaration of America’s independence: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman

It’s Too Late To Apologize

Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776 Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence Group Challenge Now that you have heard the Declaration of Independence in its entirety, you will now summarize its main points: List the four basic rights Americans were declaring (*Hint: Must read between the lines) Summarize the Declaration in 25 words or less.

The Matchup! Britain The Colonies Best trained, best equipped army and navy on Earth Immense wealth Estimated 50,000 American Loyalists (Tories) Poor officers Difficulty providing supplies overseas Fighting a defensive war with home-field advantage Strong leadership Had a defined cause Poorly trained, poorly equipped army; no navy to speak of No central government; no stable economic system

The Early War The 2ndCC took measures to raise money to create an army and navy Appointed George Washington as general of the continental army The Americans took Bunker Hill, only to have the British take it in a frontal assault “Don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes”

Friendship with France The Ladies Man at work!

Genius George December 26, 1776 – Washington surprises the Hessians at Trenton after crossing the icy Delaware A week later, Americans scored another victory at Princeton after leaving their campfires burning as a distraction for the British

Valley Forge Washington’s troops camped for the winter at Valley Forge Bitterly cold, morale and supplies were low, desertions were high Prussian military officer (Van Steuben) drilled the rag-tag militia into a true army over the winter

Battle of Saratoga British three-part plan to defeat Washington Attack from North, East, and South Only Eastern battalion actually showed Turning point in the war A major military victory Huge morale boost Convinced France to openly aid America

The Southern War Battles in the South fought with guerrilla warfare Destroyed British supply lines Francis Marion (the "Swamp Fox") who'd attack then disappear with his men into the swamps The “Bloody War” Fought on the frontier British paid Indians for scalps

Yorktown British General Cornwallis moved his men to Chesapeake Bay to get more supplies via the British navy. The French navy moved in and sealed off the Bay. Gen. Washington moved his troops in to seal off the peninsula. Cornwallis was penned in and was forced to surrender.

Yorktown? Click to Add Text

Ending the War Treaty of Paris, 1783: Ended the American Revolution. England recognized American independence Colonists gained control all the way to the Mississippi River.

Six Degrees of Separation Overview: Today you will be given two events from this era that you must connect together. You will then select six events in chronological order that link the first event in the series with the last. Instructions: Write the given events in the first and last boxes Write the name of each of the events you’ve chosen in the remaining six boxes For each event you’ve selected, you must explain how it relates to the event before and after it.