1. The American Revolution

2.  The American Revolution (1775-83) is also known as the American Revolutionary War.  The conflict arose from growing tensions between residents of Great Britain's 13 North American colonies and Parliament; and its representatives in the colonial governments, which served the British crown.  Skirmishes between British troops and colonial militiamen in Lexington and Concord in April 1775 kicked off the armed conflict, and by the following summer, the rebels were waging a full-scale war for their independence.

3. American Colonies British Empire Advantages Disadvantages

4. American Colonies Proximity to Fighting British Empire Advantages Disadvantages

5. American Colonies Proximity to Fighting Moral Cause British Empire Advantages Disadvantages

6. American Colonies Proximity to Fighting Moral Cause Great Marksman British Empire Advantages Disadvantages

7. American Colonies Proximity to Fighting Moral Cause Great Marksman Good Leadership British Empire Advantages Disadvantages

8. American Colonies Proximity to Fighting Moral Cause Great Marksman Good Leadership Lacked a Navy British Empire Advantages Disadvantages

9. American Colonies Proximity to Fighting Moral Cause Great Marksman Good Leadership Lacked a Navy Poorly Trained and Equipped Militias British Empire Advantages Disadvantages

10. American Colonies Proximity to Fighting Moral Cause Great Marksman Good Leadership Lacked a Navy Poorly Trained and Equipped Militias Poor Discipline British Empire Advantages Disadvantages

11. American Colonies Proximity to Fighting Moral Cause Great Marksman Good Leadership Lacked a Navy Poorly Trained and Equipped Militias Poor Discipline Difficult to Recruit British Empire Advantages Disadvantages

12. American Colonies Proximity to Fighting Moral Cause Great Marksman Good Leadership Lacked a Navy Poorly Trained and Equipped Militias Poor Discipline Difficult to Recruit British Empire More Money/Resources Advantages Disadvantages

13. American Colonies Proximity to Fighting Moral Cause Great Marksman Good Leadership Lacked a Navy Poorly Trained and Equipped Militias Poor Discipline Difficult to Recruit British Empire More Money and Resources Powerful Military and Navy Advantages Disadvantages

14. American Colonies Proximity to Fighting Moral Cause Great Marksman Good Leadership Lacked a Navy Poorly Trained and Equipped Militias Poor Discipline Difficult to Recruit British Empire More Money and Resources Powerful Military and Navy Hessian Mercenaries Advantages Disadvantages

15. American Colonies Proximity to Fighting Moral Cause Great Marksman Good Leadership Lacked a Navy Poorly Trained and Equipped Militias Poor Discipline Difficult to Recruit British Empire More Money and Resources Powerful Military and Navy Hessian Mercenaries Far Distance Advantages Disadvantages

16. American Colonies Proximity to Fighting Moral Cause Great Marksman Good Leadership Lacked a Navy Poorly Trained and Equipped Militias Poor Discipline Difficult to Recruit British Empire More Money and Resources Powerful Military and Navy Hessian Mercenaries Far Distance Enlistment Difficulties (Had to Enlist for Life) Advantages Disadvantages

17. American Colonies Proximity to Fighting Moral Cause Great Marksman Good Leadership Lacked a Navy Poorly Trained and Equipped Militias Poor Discipline Difficult to Recruit British Empire More Money and Resources Powerful Military and Navy Hessian Mercenaries Far Distance Enlistment Difficulties (Had to Enlist for Life) Weak from French and Indian War Advantages Disadvantages

18. 30% of colonists were LOYALISTS (favored British) 40% of colonists were PATRIOTS (favored Americans) 30% of colonists were NEUTRAL (did not favor either side) WHO?

19. Washington’s first task was to organize and raise more troops. With more than half of the continental population either against him or remaining neutral, recruiting soldiers became very difficult.

20. Other groups involved in the war… African Americans Women Native Americans Hessians

21. African Americans Because of fear of revolt, many Southern colonies did not want African Americans to fight. The British offered enslaved persons freedom if they joined the British forces (many slaves ran away to fight for the British army). Still, over 5,000 slaves fought for the Continental army. WHO?

22. Women Women were not allowed to participate in combat, but found other ways to help. They ran farms, raised money and supplies, made uniforms, and became nurses, spies and messengers WHO? Molly Pitcher

23. Native Americans All Native Americans east of the Mississippi River were caught up in the fighting. The Mohawks joined the British because they feared losing land to the Americans. Other tribes who lived in areas settled by the colonists, sided with them instead. WHO? Mohawk chief, Joseph Brant

24. Hessians The Hessians were a large group of soldiers from Germany who fought with the British. They were also known as mercenaries (professional soldiers hired by a foreign army). WHO?