1. The American Revolution
Mrs. Lacks: US History

2. Shot Heard ‘Round the World…
Lexington & Concord
April 18, 1775
1st Battles of Am Rev

3. Second Continental Congress, 1775
Philadelphia, PA
All 13 colonies
Reaction to fighting in Massachusetts
All colonies represented
Reaction to fighting in Massachusetts
Agenda: Define relationship with Britain
Sent Olive Branch Petition in hopes of attaining peace/more power from Britain
G. Washington appointed to lead potential colonial forces

4. Loyalist
Strongholds

5. Washington’s Headaches
Loyalties
1/3 of colonists: patriots
1/3 of colonists: loyalists
1/3 of colonists: neutral
No money
Poor military training
Loyalists – also called Tories
No money – congress couldn’t tax
Poor training – minutemen/volunteer army

6. Military Strengths The Colonists: The British: Guerilla tactics
Fighting at home (knew land, had help)
Fighting for a cause
The British:
Experienced leaders
Navy (blockaded ports)
“Divide and Conquer”  use the Loyalists.

7. Phase I: The Northern Campaign (1775 – 1776)
Most important battles:
Lexington & Concord (considered one)
Bunker Hill

8. Bloodiest battle of the American Revolution
Bunker Hill, June 1775
Bloodiest battle of the American Revolution

9. Declaration of Independence, 1776
Written by Thomas Jefferson (in 16 days)
Virginian
Had written “A Summary View of the Rights of British America”
Edited by John Adams & Ben Franklin
Approved by Congress on July 4, 1776 (2 days after they voted for independence)

10. Too Late to Apologize, a Declaration

11. Phase II: NY & PA, 1777-1778 Two important battles: Trenton & Saratoga

12. Battle of Trenton, 1776
GW crossed the Delaware River on Christmas Eve and surprised the British troops at Trenton, NJ
British were supported by Hessian Troops
GW & colonial army win (major victory) – turning point

13. Washington Crossing the Delaware
Painted by Emanuel Leutze, 1851

14. Saratoga, Turning Point
Major win for colonists
Convinced France to join war against the British (Ben Franklin)
Secured French alliance

15. Valley Forge Pennsylvania (20 mi west of Philly)
GW and Continental Army spent winter of
Starvation, disease, exposure killed 2,500 soldiers

16. Phase III: The Southern Strategy [1780-1781]

17. Britain’s Southern Strategy
Britain thought that there were more Loyalists in the South.
The British win a number of small victories, but could not take the countryside
British General: Charles Cornwallis

18. Battle of Yorktown, 1781
British cornered by American & French land and naval forces
Cornwallis forced to surrender

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

20. Treaty of Paris, 1783
The United States of America are free and independent of British control
Original US: All land east of the Mississippi River, south of St. Lawrence River & Great Lakes