1. The American Revolution
“A World Turned Upside Down”

2. Britain and Its American Colonies
The American Colonies Grow
American colonies grow large and populous during the 1600s and 1700s
Colonies thrive economically through trade with Europe
Britain’s Navigation Act restricts that trade (1651)
Other trade laws add restrictions and taxes
Colonists identify less and less as British subjects

3. British-Colonial Tensions Arise
Britain and American colonies win the French and Indian War in 1763
Britain taxes colonists to help pay the war debts
Colonists argue that British cannot tax them without their consent:
Secret protest societies
“No taxation without representation”

4. Growing Hostility Leads to War
Colonists protest tea tax with “Boston Tea Party” in 1773
Colonists meet in Philadelphia to address British policies (1774)
British and Americans exchange fire at Lexington and Concord in 1775

5. American Strengths and Weaknesses
The colonists are fighting for independence
George Washington can inspire his men to fight
France will aide the colonies with weapons, supplies and their navy

6. Patriots and Loyalists
Patriots were colonists who supported the break from England.
Loyalists are colonials support the England.
Colonists are divided as to whether or not they should rebel against England!

7. American Strengths and Weaknesses
The colonists are not a trained army
Colonists enlist for months instead of years
Short on money, weapons and supplies to fight a war

8. British Strengths and Weaknesses
The British have an experienced professional army
Outnumber the Continental Army
The British army is well supplied with equipment and weapons

9. British Strengths and Weaknesses
The British are not fighting for a cause
British officers are careless and poor leaders
The British have a to cross the Atlantic Ocean to send men and supplies for the war
The support at homes is rather weak

10. 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.

12. The Strategy of War

13. American Colonies vs Britains
Keep the Colonial Army together
Washington seeks to stretch the British army away from supply lines
Harass the enemy, defeat the British in a major battle
Britain
Seeks to destroy the Colonial Army
Regain control of the colonies by region
Take the fight to the Colonial Army using European war tactics
Use loyalists support against the colonies

14. Military Strategies American Colonies Britain
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.
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.

15. Lexington and Concord, April 1777
British attempt to capture Samuel Adams and weapons stockpile around Concord
The colonists are warned by Paul Revere and 40 other riders that “The British are coming”
4,000 colonial “militia men” exchange fire with British troops along the main road
This battle is considered the beginning of the American Revolution

16. A personal view of the American Revolution
“ The men that was wounded in the thigh or leg, they dashed out their brains with their muskets and run them through with their bayonets, made them like sieves. This was barbarity to the utmost.” Sergeant New Jersey Regiment, 1778