1. The American Revolution
EQ: How are wars won?

2. Tensions Increase
By 1774, Militias were being formed and started storing supplies
Weapons, ammunition, gunpowder
Called themselves “Minutemen” because they could be ready in a moments notice

3. Battle of Lexington and Concord (April 1775)
1st battle of the American Revolution
The British heard about weapons and supplies stored at Lexington and Concord and sent troops to confiscate them
Colonial minutemen assembled to protect the supplies
“Shot heard round the world”
Casualties on both sides

4. Second Continental Congress (1775)
What: Meeting between delegates from every colony
What they did:
Created the Continental Army
Appointed George Washington as Commander of the Continental Army

5. Common Sense When: Published January 10, 1776 Who:
Written by Thomas Paine
Addressed to American colonists
Sold over 100k copies in the first few months
Anonymous & personal attack on King George
Called for independence
Crucial in changing public opinion to support independence

6. The World’s Best Break Up Letter: The Declaration of Independence
When: July 4, 1776

7. The first draft was written by Thomas Jefferson
It was then edited by the Committee of Five:
Thomas Jefferson John Adams
Benjamin Franklin
Robert Livingston
Robert Sherman

8. Major Influence: English Philosopher, John Locke
Natural Rights: all individuals are born with certain "inalienable" natural rights: "life, liberty, and property.“
The Purpose of government is to protect the natural rights of the people

9. Major Influence: English Philosopher, John Locke
Social Contract Theory: there is an agreement between the rulers and the ruled: you follow the rules, and I will protect your rights.
If a government breaks that contract, the people have the right to resist that government, alter or abolish it, and create a new one.

10. Independence was heavily debated in the Continental Congress

11. Significance:
The Declaration of Independence officially cut ties between the colonies and Great Britain

12. Military Strengths and Weaknesses
Americans
British
Strengths
Fighting at home
Strong leadership (Washington)
Fighting for a cause
Untrained, undisciplined soldiers
Little food and supplies
No central gov’t or $
Strong, well-trained army & navy
Central gov’t with $
Support of loyalists
Far from home
Unfamiliar terrain
Weaknesses

13. The War Moves to the Middle States
The British retreated from Boston in March 1776 and headed for New York
Goal: stop the rebellion by isolating New England (the region they believed was the head of the rebellion)

14. Redcoats in the Middle Colonies
British seized NYC
The Americans were forced to retreat following heavy losses across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania
Many American soldiers became dismayed and thought about leaving the Continental Army

15. Encouraged American soldiers to re-enlist and keep fighting
Battle of Trenton
Encouraged American soldiers to
re-enlist and keep fighting
On the morning after Christmas, Washington led 2,400 men across the icy Delaware River
The Hessians (German soldiers hired by GB to fight) in Trenton were not prepared and the Americans surprised them
The Americans won this battle

16. Battle of Saratoga Fall 1777
British Generals Burgoyne and Howe made a plan to defeat the Americans by meeting in upstate New York
Two problems:
Burgoyne decided to travel with heavy, unnecessary personal items which slowed down his troops , making them easy targets
Howe decided to capture Philadelphia instead of meeting up with Burgoyne

17. Battle of Saratoga Fall 1777
6,000 British troops were forced to surrender at Saratoga
This was a huge victory for the Americans

18. Importance of the Battle of Saratoga
Considered the turning point of the war
Boosted French trust in American army
France agreed to help the Americans
They recognized American independence & signed a treaty of alliance in Feb. 1778

19. Ben Franklin had been sent
by the Continental Congress to negotiate with France

20. Winter Camp at Valley Forge
Lowest point of the war
Winter Camp at Valley Forge
In Winter 1777, The Americans made winter camp at Valley Forge
Brutal, terrible conditions for Americans while the British are camped warmly & comfortably in Philadelphia
Bitter cold
Frost bite
Amputation

21. Transformation at Valley Forge
Friedrich von Steuben
Prussian (German) Captain who helped train the American soldiers
Attempted to “make regular soldiers out of country bumpkins”
Because of his training, the Continental army became an effective fighting force

22. Marquis de Lafayette 22-year-old French aristocrat
Joined Washington’s staff
He helped the Continental Army by:
Pushing for French reinforcements and much- needed supplies
Leading troops in Virginia during the end of the war

23. The British Move South
New Goal: Reclaim the southern colonies with loyalist support then move north
General Lord Cornwallis was put in charge of British troops in the South
Late took Georgia
May took South Carolina
Thousands of African Americans sided with the British in return for their freedom
The British failed to take North Carolina and suffered heavy losses so Cornwallis decided to move his troops to Virginia

24. The British in Virginia
The southern British troops, led by General Lord Cornwallis, positioned themselves on the Peninsula between the James and York Rivers at Yorktown, Virginia
What are some advantages to positioning your army in this location?

25. French fleet defeated the British fleet at the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay
17,000 American and French troops bombarded Cornwallis day and night and laid siege to the British camp

26. The British surrendered on October 17, 1781
The Americans and French accepted the surrender two days later

27. Treaty of Paris 1783
This treaty officially ended the American Revolution, confirmed American independence and set the boundaries of the new nation