3. Chapter 8
Second Continental Congress appoints George Washington as head of the American Army
Colonists try to restore the peace with Britain
At the same time they are raising an army

4. Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold capture Fort Ticonderoga
Battle of Bunker Hill – Colonists hold off large British force until their gunpowder supply runs out

7. Olive Branch Petition is rejected by Britain
- Fight for independence
- Submit to the king
Mercenaries including Hessians are hired to suppress the rebellion
Colonists angered at the thought of bringing outsiders into the conflict

9. Benedict Arnold comes close to capturing the important city of Quebec
French Canadians do not want to rise up against Britain
Canada remains firmly in British hands

11. Thomas Paine writes the pamphlet Common Sense
Many colonists still resisted the idea of independence
Paine states that the colonies had outgrown a need for Britain and should therefore be independent

12. Period 3 & 7
We will examine the early years of the American Revolution and why the Battle of Saratoga is seen as the turning point of the war.
Warm Up: Read the Unreliable Militia
Declaration of Independence Clip
Chapter 8 Notes
Washington Crosses the Delaware

13. Richard Henry Lee proposes independence from Great Britain
Thomas Jefferson is asked to write the declaration
The Declaration of Independence lists the reasons why America is separating from Great Britain

16. Loyalists Made up 16% of the colonial population
Many of wealth and education remained loyal to England
Areas dominated by the Anglican Church
Loyalists were known as Tories
Patriots were known as Whigs
Patriots were strongest in the New England area

17. Washington at Bay British focus their attention on New York City
George Washington is forced to abandon NYC and is chased across New Jersey by General William Howe
Howe gives up the chase as winter sets in

18. George Washington attacks the city of Trenton and captures 1000 Hessians
Washington defeats a small detachment of British at Princeton
Retains many of his volunteers as a result of the small victories

20. Burgoyne’s Invasion
British plan to cut the colonies in two by taking the Hudson River Valley
Benedict Arnold slows the advance of the British and buys more time for colonial army
General Howe moves his army south to Philadelphia and captures the capital

22. Howe should have marched his army up the Hudson
Burgoyne is left by himself and defeated at Saratoga
Saratoga is the turning point in the war

23. England offers the colonies Home Rule
France doesn’t want England to retain colonies and threaten French West Indies
France offers open alliance with promise of independence