The American Revolution

First Continental Congress Met during September and October of Thomas Jefferson was selected to write the Declaration of Independence. The Congress decided to meet again if the demands weren’t met by the King and Parliament.

Second Continental Congress The King did not agree to the Colonists’ demands, so the Congress met again in May of One of the first things the Congress did was form an army. They chose George Washington to lead it

While the Congress was meeting, the Battle of Bunker Hill occurred. The Americans lost, but they put up a strong fight against the British. In July of 1775 the Congress sent the Olive Branch Petition to the King. This was the last attempt to keep peace between the Colonies and Britain. Battle of Bunker Hill and The Olive Branch Petition

Events Leading up to War The King refused to accept the Petition. In August of 1775 he said the Colonies were in rebellion.

The Declaration of Independence In 1776 Thomas Paine published a booklet called Common Sense encouraging the colonists to seek independence. In June of 1776, the Second Continental Congress appointed a committee to draft a Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson was the main author. The Declaration included a list of complaints against the King and Parliament. On July 4, 1776 the Declaration was adopted by the Second Continental Congress.

British vs. American Advantages of the British army included their wealth, their experienced army, and their excellent navy. Advantages of the American, or Continental, Army included having George Washington as the leader, help from countries like France, and the fact that Americans were fighting for freedom on their own land. Disadvantages of the British included having to fight far from Britain, having to fight over a large area, and having to adjust to new ways of fighting. Disadvantages of the Americans included inexperienced soldiers, lack of supplies, and a small navy.

Different People Different Perspectives Different people living in the Colonies had different points of view about the American Revolution. Loyalists felt the Colonies should not have declared independence. Many fought with the British and many moved to places like Canada. Some African American slaves fought with the British hoping to gain freedom. Others, including many free African Americans, fought with the Continental army. Native Americans were divided in their loyalty. Some fought with the British. Others helped the Americans. Still others remained neutral.

The Battles of the Revolution George Washington and the Continental Army lost many battles at the beginning of the war. Most of these were fought in New England and the Middle Colonies. An important turning point in the war was the Battle of Saratoga which was won by the Americans. As a result of the American victory at Saratoga, the French sent money, supplies, and soldiers to help the fight against the British. After the Battle of Saratoga, Washington and his army spent a harsh winter camped at Valley Forge.

Turning Point! After their defeat at Saratoga, the British decided to shift their attention to the Southern Colonies. This was partly due to their hope of gaining more loyalist support in the South. George Washington, with the help of French troops, moved south also. The last major battle took place at Yorktown. There the French blockaded the harbor and cut off supplies to the British. Washington began a siege of Yorktown and eventually the British surrendered.

The War Ends… Independence is Won The British and Americans signed the Treaty of Paris in This officially ended the war. As a result of the treaty, Britain recognized the United States as an independent country. The treaty also set the boundaries of the United States. The young country stretched all the way to the Mississippi River. The decision to fight a war for independence ended up being one of the most important decisions in our country’s history.