BritainAmericans Advantages?? Disadvantages?? On the Eve of the Revolution ?

First Continental Congress P. 184 and 185P. 184 and 185 –What were the decisions made at the First Continental Congress that met in Sept. 1774? –What colonies were present? –Where was it held?

The “shot heard round the world” After Thomas Gage ordered the confiscation of minutemen weapons in Concord, Paul Revere warned of the British arrival. These minutemen attempted to stop the Redcoats at Lexington before they could reach Concord. Fighting broke out here to start the American Revolution. British broke the line and marched onto Concord but found no weapons. The British were forced back to Boston.After Thomas Gage ordered the confiscation of minutemen weapons in Concord, Paul Revere warned of the British arrival. These minutemen attempted to stop the Redcoats at Lexington before they could reach Concord. Fighting broke out here to start the American Revolution. British broke the line and marched onto Concord but found no weapons. The British were forced back to Boston.

2 nd Continental Congress May 1775 – delegates from 12 colonies decided to NOT break away from the British.May 1775 – delegates from 12 colonies decided to NOT break away from the British. They also decided to create the Continental Army with George Washington as its leader.They also decided to create the Continental Army with George Washington as its leader. They also decided to sign the Olive Branch Petition which was rejected by King George III.They also decided to sign the Olive Branch Petition which was rejected by King George III.

LoyalistStrongholds

Washington’s Headaches Only 1/3 of the colonists were in favor of a war for independence [the other third were Loyalists, and the final third were neutral]. State/colony loyalties. Congress couldn’t tax to raise money for the Continental Army. Poor training [until the arrival of Baron von Steuben.

Exports & Imports:

Phase I: The Northern Campaign [ ]

Battles While the 2 nd Continental Congress was meeting the colonials were on the attack. The militia, led by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold, took Fort Ticonderoga by surprise.While the 2 nd Continental Congress was meeting the colonials were on the attack. The militia, led by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold, took Fort Ticonderoga by surprise. In Boston, colonials learned of a British plan to try and take back Boston. GW ordered a large scale movement of men and weapons to protect the city.In Boston, colonials learned of a British plan to try and take back Boston. GW ordered a large scale movement of men and weapons to protect the city.

Bunker Hill (June, 1775) The British suffered over 40% casualties.

Battle of Bunker Hill The fight for Boston finds the British surprised by colonials positioned on Bunker and Breed’s Hill. The colonials were forced to retreat due to low gunpowder levels but the British suffered over 1000 casualties.The fight for Boston finds the British surprised by colonials positioned on Bunker and Breed’s Hill. The colonials were forced to retreat due to low gunpowder levels but the British suffered over 1000 casualties. GW got cannons from Ticonderoga and was able to stop the British from advancing into Boston.GW got cannons from Ticonderoga and was able to stop the British from advancing into Boston.

Common Sense

Declaration of Independence Included 3 main ideas: 1. All men possess unalienable rights 2.King George III had violated colonial rights. 3.Argued that the colonies had the right to break away from Great Britain.

Declaration of Independence Signed by the delegates present at the 2 nd Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.Signed by the delegates present at the 2 nd Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.

Military Strategies Attrition [the Brits had a long supply line]. Guerilla tactics [fight an insurgent war  you don’t have to win a battle, just wear the British down] Make an alliance with one of Britain’s enemies. The AmericansThe British Break the colonies in half by getting between the No. & the So. Blockade the ports to prevent the flow of goods and supplies from an ally. “Divide and Conquer”  use the Loyalists.

Phase II: NY & PA [ ]

NY and NJ The Patriots attempted but failed to take Canada from the British as a “14 th colony”The Patriots attempted but failed to take Canada from the British as a “14 th colony” British General William Howe, aided by the British navy, drove Patriots out of NY where British troops rested in the winter of 1776.British General William Howe, aided by the British navy, drove Patriots out of NY where British troops rested in the winter of Washington decided on a surprise attack on Hessians in Trenton the day after Christmas in 1776 after crossing the Delaware River. Hour-long battle gave hope to the Patriots. Washington then won a Patriot victory in Princeton. Washington decided on a surprise attack on Hessians in Trenton the day after Christmas in 1776 after crossing the Delaware River. Hour-long battle gave hope to the Patriots. Washington then won a Patriot victory in Princeton.

New York City in Flames (1776)

Washington Crossing the Delaware Painted by Emanuel Leutze, 1851

Saratoga: “Turning Point” of the War? Saratoga: “Turning Point” of the War? A modern-day re-enactment

Saratoga 1777 The British’s strategy next was to combine 3 British forces to cut off New England from the rest of the colonies. 2 of the units ran late allowing Patriots led by Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold to capture an entire British unit.The British’s strategy next was to combine 3 British forces to cut off New England from the rest of the colonies. 2 of the units ran late allowing Patriots led by Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold to capture an entire British unit. Greatest victory at that point.Greatest victory at that point.

Winter at Valley Forge After the victory at Saratoga, Washington camped out at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. There the Continental Army faced cruel shortages of food and clothing and 1/5 of the soldiers died. Prussian leader Baron von Steuben used this time to train Army for battle.

Phase III: The Southern Strategy [ ]

Britain’s “Southern Strategy” Britain thought that there were more Loyalists in the South. Southern resources were more valuable/worth preserving. The British win a number of small victories, but cannot pacify the countryside [similar to U. S. failures in Vietnam!] Good US General: Francis Marion was successful at switching to guerrilla warfare to help weaken the British forces.

The Battle of Yorktown (1781) Count de Rochambeau Admiral De Grasse

Yorktown With the French help Washington trapped Cornwallis and his men in Yorktown. The Patriots tried to wear down the outnumbered British and finally succeeded after weeks of bombardment.With the French help Washington trapped Cornwallis and his men in Yorktown. The Patriots tried to wear down the outnumbered British and finally succeeded after weeks of bombardment. Cornwallis officially surrendered on October 20, 1781.Cornwallis officially surrendered on October 20, 1781.

Cornwallis’ Surrender at Yorktown: Painted by John Trumbull, 1797

North America After the Treaty of Paris, 1783

Terms of the treaty 1.Great Britain recognized the independence of the U.S. 2.The U.S. border was established at the Great Lakes in the North, the MS River to the West, and the 31 o latitude line to the South. 3.The treaty also allowed Americans settle west of the original 13 colonies.