War for Independence

1 st Continental Congress 1774 Meets in Philadelphia Meets in Philadelphia Why Philadelphia? Why Philadelphia? Purpose of the Continental Congress Purpose of the Continental Congress To protect Colonial Rights against tyrannical Britain To protect Colonial Rights against tyrannical Britain

First Shots British troops are sent to confiscate Colonial guns and ammunition at Concord Mass. British troops are sent to confiscate Colonial guns and ammunition at Concord Mass. Capture key members of the Sons of Liberty. Samuel Adams & John Hancock. Capture key members of the Sons of Liberty. Samuel Adams & John Hancock. Paul Revere and William Dawes ride out to warn the minutemen. Paul Revere and William Dawes ride out to warn the minutemen. THE BRITISH ARE COMING! THE BRITISH ARE COMING!

Battle of Lexington 4/19/1775, 1 st Shots of the American Revolution. 4/19/1775, 1 st Shots of the American Revolution. Shot Heard Round the World Shot Heard Round the World Who fired first? Who fired first? Who won? Who won?

Results of Lexington 700 British Redcoats vs 70 Minutemen. 700 British Redcoats vs 70 Minutemen. 8 Colonial men are killed 8 Colonial men are killed 0 British losses 0 British losses Easy British victory Easy British victory Redcoats press on toward Concord Redcoats press on toward Concord Minutemen from local areas come to fight the British. Minutemen from local areas come to fight the British.

Battle of Concord Minutemen use Guerrilla Tactics Minutemen use Guerrilla Tactics Defeat the British at the North Bridge near Concord Defeat the British at the North Bridge near Concord British retreat back toward Boston British retreat back toward Boston Approx 4000 Minutemen line the route back to Boston. Approx 4000 Minutemen line the route back to Boston.

Results of the Battle of Concord Casualties: Casualties: British 273 British 273 Colonists 87 Colonists 87 Smashing Colonial Victory Smashing Colonial Victory Increases Colonial moral, increases confidence in the Rebellion. Increases Colonial moral, increases confidence in the Rebellion. Infuriates King George III Infuriates King George III

2 nd Continental Congress May 1775 in Philadelphia May 1775 in Philadelphia John Hancock is 2 nd CC President John Hancock is 2 nd CC President George Washington chosen as commanding general of Continental Army. George Washington chosen as commanding general of Continental Army. Olive Branch Petition Olive Branch Petition One last hope to restore harmony between Britain and the Colonies. One last hope to restore harmony between Britain and the Colonies. King George III rejects the Olive Branch Petition King George III rejects the Olive Branch Petition

Battle of Bunker Hill Bloodiest Battle of the American Revolution. Bloodiest Battle of the American Revolution British losses 1000 British losses 400 Colonial losses 400 Colonial losses 3 British frontal assaults are repulsed. 3 British frontal assaults are repulsed. Colonists Dont fire until you see the whites of their eyes. Colonists Dont fire until you see the whites of their eyes. Battle is actually fought on Breeds Hill. Battle is actually fought on Breeds Hill.

Results of Bunker Hill Proof Colonists can fight. Proof Colonists can fight. Confidence for Colonial troops. Confidence for Colonial troops. Revenge of King George III. Revenge of King George III.

British Strengths Best Army & Navy in the World Best Army & Navy in the World Strong Central Government Strong Central Government Lots of Money Lots of Money

Colonial Strengths The Cause of Independence The Cause of Independence Leadership (later) of George Washington Leadership (later) of George Washington

Common Sense Written by Thomas Paine Written by Thomas Paine Explains in simple terms why the colonies should declare independence. Explains in simple terms why the colonies should declare independence. Very influential Very influential Uncle Toms Cabin Uncle Toms Cabin The Jungle The Jungle Silent Spring Silent Spring

Declaration of Independence 6/7/1776 Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia introduces the idea to dissolve all political bands with Great Britain. 6/7/1776 Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia introduces the idea to dissolve all political bands with Great Britain. John Adams of Mass is the driving engine behind independence. John Adams of Mass is the driving engine behind independence.

Declaration Committee Ben Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston Ben Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston

Author of Declaration Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson 2 nd Youngest member of CC 2 nd Youngest member of CC Virginia Virginia Slave owner Slave owner Outlawed Slavery in original Declaration. Outlawed Slavery in original Declaration.

Adoption of Declaration All 13 Colonies must adopt. All 13 Colonies must adopt. Slavery Clause must be removed. Slavery Clause must be removed. To insure Southern support To insure Southern support Adopted 7/4/1776 Adopted 7/4/1776

British Strategy Abandon Boston Abandon Boston Attack New York City Attack New York City Advance up the Hudson River Advance up the Hudson River Cut off New England from the rest of the colonies Cut off New England from the rest of the colonies Why? Why?

Battle of New York British Victory British Victory New York City Abandoned by Colonial Army New York City Abandoned by Colonial Army Devastating Defeat for Colonial Army Devastating Defeat for Colonial Army Question the Leadership of George Washington Question the Leadership of George Washington Washington retreats across New Jersey & into Pennsylvania Washington retreats across New Jersey & into Pennsylvania

German Mercenaries Mercenary Mercenary Paid soldiers from a different country Paid soldiers from a different country British hire German Mercenaries British hire German Mercenaries Hessians Hessians

Battle Of Trenton Washingtons Crossing of the Delaware River Washingtons Crossing of the Delaware River Attack Hessians at Trenton Attack Hessians at Trenton River crossing begins at nightfall 12/25/1776, Christmas Night River crossing begins at nightfall 12/25/1776, Christmas Night Counting on the Element of Surprise. Hope for drunkenness. Counting on the Element of Surprise. Hope for drunkenness.

Results Of Trenton Morale for the Continental Army Morale for the Continental Army Recruitment goes up! Recruitment goes up! Confidence in General Washington Confidence in General Washington Hessian Losses Hessian Losses 23 Dead 23 Dead 92 Wounded 92 Wounded 913 Captured 913 Captured Colonial Losses 0 Colonial Losses 0