Essential Questions Despite all the hardships in the early years of the American Revolution, how was Washington able to keep the army together? How effective was Washington as a military commander? What were his greatest achievements? What were his biggest mistakes?

Revolutionary War Ticonderoga, New York, Trenton, Saratoga

Fort Ticonderoga May 11, 1775 Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen Force of 83 captured the fort and 48 British Strategic importance: Guards Lake Champlain the gateway to Canada Americans captured 100 cannons and other supplies

Boston After Lexington and Concord the Colonists besieged Boston with Washington becoming commander in June after Bunker Hill Siege lasts eleven months until March 17, 1776 Henry Knox takes the artillery from Ticonderoga to Boston Set up on Dorchester Heights overlooking city and force the British to evacuate

American Crisis--Movie Defeat in NY Hessians Charles Lee Molly Pitcher American POW’s

Trenton and Princeton Washington’s army crosses the Delaware on Christmas Night and attacks December 26. Hessians had been warned but ignored it Washington captured 900 out of 1500 and only lost 2 Washington’s first major success Convinces many to reenlist for the following year, boosts morale going into winter camp

Brandywine September 11, 1777 Washington tries to stop the British from taking Philadelphia British send a portion of their army across the creek into a frontal attack and send the rest on a 12 mile flanking march Washington thinks he has taken the day but is sent reeling in retreat by the attack on his right flank

Saratoga Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne attacks from Canada hoping to meet up with the Howe’s and cut New England off from the rest of the colonies Burgoyne gets surrounded and is forced to surrender in a series of battles culminating on October 7, 1777 British had 6,600 while the Americans had 11,400 Burgoyne surrenders his entire army Turning point of the war, convinces France to join

Valley Forge British winter in Philadelphia forcing Washington to remain close Continental Army winters in Valley Forge Lack of food, shelter, fuel, and clothing leaves the men dangerously close to mutiny "We have this day no less than 2,873 men in camp, unfit for duty because they are barefooted and otherwise naked." Baron Von Steuben brings much needed discipline and training to the army

1778 February, US and France sign the French Alliance  France Declares war on England  Sends troops and supplies to the US  Most of the French troops and Navy (in the US) are in Rhode Island Battle of Monmouth Courthouse  British are returning to NY when the Continentals attack but it ends in a draw British occupy Savannah  December 29

1779 Spain declares war against England on June 21 September 23 John Paul Jones on the Bonhamme Richard captures a British Man of War Several minor skirmishes in the Ohio River Valley and in the South Tarleton reeks havoc in South Carolina but the militia give as good as they get

1780 British Capture Charleston on May 12 August 16 General Cornwallis defeats General Gates at the Battle of Camden  General Gates resigns his post as commander of the Southern Army  Washington replaces Gates with Nathaniel Greene the “Fighting Quaker”

1781 The states officially ratify the Articles of Confederations and now have an official form of government January 17 Daniel Morgan defeats the British at the Battle of Cowpens October 19 Cornwallis surrendered at the Battle of Yorktown