The Battles

Introduction Lasting seven years, the American Revolution was decided through the successes and failures of several important battles. Lasting seven years, the American Revolution was decided through the successes and failures of several important battles. Each side, British and America had their own advantages they would use to try and win the war. Each side, British and America had their own advantages they would use to try and win the war. – British: More guns, supplies, money and soldiers More guns, supplies, money and soldiers Experienced in classical warfare Experienced in classical warfare – Americans Huge motivation fueled by protecting homes and freedoms Huge motivation fueled by protecting homes and freedoms Knowledge of land led to guerilla warfare tactics Knowledge of land led to guerilla warfare tactics With much help from foreign allies such as the French, America would eventually defeat the British and gain its independence With much help from foreign allies such as the French, America would eventually defeat the British and gain its independence

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The Battle of Bunker Hill After the events of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts Minutemen surround Boston and are attacked by the British After the events of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts Minutemen surround Boston and are attacked by the British Severely unsupplied and running out of ammunition, the Colonists took position on Bunker Hill to gain an advantage. Severely unsupplied and running out of ammunition, the Colonists took position on Bunker Hill to gain an advantage. – Colonel William Prescott: “Don’t fire ‘till you see the whites in their eyes” After much fighting, the Colonists were forced to retreat and surrender Bunker Hill After much fighting, the Colonists were forced to retreat and surrender Bunker Hill Casualties: Casualties: – Britain= over 1000 – Colonial=400 Significance: Though they lost the battle, the Colonists proved they could stand up to the British Significance: Though they lost the battle, the Colonists proved they could stand up to the British

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Battle of Trenton The British took control of New York City early in the war; began marching on New Jersey The British took control of New York City early in the war; began marching on New Jersey Needing a victory to motivate his troops, Washington planned a sneak attack on a fort in Trenton, NJ on Dec Needing a victory to motivate his troops, Washington planned a sneak attack on a fort in Trenton, NJ on Dec – The Patriots used the night to hide their movements and crossed the Delaware River undetected – As 900 German mercenaries (soldier for hire) slept, Washington attacked and captured the fort and everyone in it; lost only two men Significance: Motivated the colonists to continue fighting the British when many were giving up hope Significance: Motivated the colonists to continue fighting the British when many were giving up hope

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Battle of Princeton Using his spy network, Washington learned that the British were marching to attack the Continental Army Using his spy network, Washington learned that the British were marching to attack the Continental Army Washington ordered his men to build huge fires giving away their position and then hid in the woods Washington ordered his men to build huge fires giving away their position and then hid in the woods When the British arrived, they attack toward the fires, find no soldiers and are then surrounded by the Colonists When the British arrived, they attack toward the fires, find no soldiers and are then surrounded by the Colonists – In all, 300 British soldiers were captured and Princeton was taken under Colonial control Significance: Shows the effectiveness of America’s spying network, another major blow to the British Significance: Shows the effectiveness of America’s spying network, another major blow to the British Got Ya!! PSYCH!!

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The turning point: The Battle of Saratoga The British had two goals to defeat the colonists The British had two goals to defeat the colonists – Separate New England from the rest of the colonies – Capture Philadelphia (Unofficial capital of the colonies) British Generals William Howe and John Burgoyne plan to join their troops to split New England away from the other colonies British Generals William Howe and John Burgoyne plan to join their troops to split New England away from the other colonies – While moving to meet with Burgoyne’s army, Howe learns Philadelphia is undefended and decides to attack – Washington purposefully left Philadelphia undefended to draw Howe in, blocks Howe’s movement North Burgoyne’s army is captured, biggest victory to date Burgoyne’s army is captured, biggest victory to date

Burgoyne Howe Gates Washington We’re Saved!!!!!

The turning point: The Battle of Saratoga Significance: The victory at Saratoga convinced France to join on the colonial side; considered the key to Colonial victory Significance: The victory at Saratoga convinced France to join on the colonial side; considered the key to Colonial victory The French provide: The French provide: – Money, Guns, Soldiers – Generals like Marquis de Lafayette – Most importantly: A Navy

The turning point: The Battle of Saratoga – Valley Forge Washington’s troops set up Winter Camp at Valley Forge Washington’s troops set up Winter Camp at Valley Forge General Fredrick von Steuben joined the Americans after their victory General Fredrick von Steuben joined the Americans after their victory Trained Washington’s men into experienced soldiers Trained Washington’s men into experienced soldiers – Also introduced the bayonet

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The War Ends: Battle of Yorktown and the Treaty of Paris The war continues for five more years until there is one British general left to defeat: General Charles Cornwallis The war continues for five more years until there is one British general left to defeat: General Charles Cornwallis Washington surrounded Cornwallis in Yorktown attacked the British there for 18 days Washington surrounded Cornwallis in Yorktown attacked the British there for 18 days British ships try to bring reinforcements to help Cornwallis, but are blocked by the French navy from entering the Chesapeake Bay British ships try to bring reinforcements to help Cornwallis, but are blocked by the French navy from entering the Chesapeake Bay – On October 18 th,Cornwallis surrenders and the war ends Significance: The French help the colonists defeat the last remaining British General and the war will soon be over Significance: The French help the colonists defeat the last remaining British General and the war will soon be over

British Navy Washington Yorktown Rochambeau French Navy Cornwallis

The War Ends: Battle of Yorktown and the Treaty of Paris The Treaty of Paris official ends the war between Britain and America The Treaty of Paris official ends the war between Britain and America The treaty…: The treaty…: – Makes Britain recognize America’s independence – Gives America all the land south of the Great Lakes and East of the Mississippi River