1. An Overview of the American Revolution

2. Battle of Lexington & Concord
“Shot heard ‘round the world”
April 19, 1775
First battles of Revolution
British were trying to seize gunpowder stored by the colonial militias
Colonists won, but were stunned that fighting had actually broken out

3. Battle of Bunker Hill June 17, 1775 in Boston
Actually took place on Breed’s Hill!
British won, but suffered over 1000 casualties, 100+ of them officers
“Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!”

4. George Washington 1732 – 1799 Worked as a surveyor
Served in French & Indian War
Planter, lived at Mount Vernon
Appointed as commander of the Continental Army due to his social position and military experience

5. The Declaration of Independence
July 2 – 4, 1776
“all men are created equal”
“Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”
Famous signers: Samuel Adams, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin

6. Thomas Jefferson 1743 – 1826 Author of Declaration of Independence
Founded U. of Va.
Inventor, architect, philosopher
Sec. of State, VP, & 3rd President of U.S.
Opium addict, slave owner

7. The Battle of Trenton December 26, 1776
Washington’s first major victory, restored confidence and morale
Sneak attack by crossing Delaware River in the night
Americans captured about 1000 Hessian soldiers

8. Articles of Confederation
1781 – 1788
First basis of the American government
Left the central government too weak and the individual states too strong
Central government only exists to manage foreign relations

9. Valley Forge Americans’ winter camp 1777-1778
About 1 in 6 soldiers died of disease due to the poor nutrition and living conditions
Nearly broke Washington’s army, but he also used this time to retrain his troops

10. The Battle of Yorktown September 28 – October 17, 1781
Cornwallis had been cut off from escape by the arrival of the French navy
First time a British army had unconditionally surrendered during the war
Broke public morale in England

11. Britain recognized the United States as an independent nation
Treaty of Paris (1783)
Set border between the United States and British Canada
Made Mississippi River a free river to be used by Americans, British, and Spanish

12. The Philadelphia Convention
Met in 1786 to amend the Articles of Confederation and strengthen the central government of the United States 12

13. The Constitution Adopted 9/17/1787
Oldest constitution in use in the world today
Amended 27 times, most recently in 1992
Created checks and balances between 3 branches of government 13

14. President George Washington
First President (1789 – 1797)
Only president to win 100% of electoral votes
Warned against foreign entanglements
Died in 1799