1. The War for American Independence 1775-1783

2. Battle of Lexington and Concord April 19, 1775 General Gage sends troops to check out arsenals in Lexington, Mass Dr. Warren sends for Paul Revere Warning shots are fired to alert the town Revere is stopped and questioned, but the element of surprise was lost and the militia was on its way to Concord

3. British order Minutemen to leave – they refuse and shots ring out Battle only lasts 15 minutes – British won…at first As the British make their way back to Boston, minutemen hid in the trees and fired at them

4. May 1775: Meeting of the Second Continental Congress Which course of action to take? John Adams view vs. John Dickinson view What is decided What does this infer about the American public based on the decisions made at the 2 nd Continental Congress?

5. June 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill Breed’s Hill Reason for attack Summary of Battle

6. July 1775: Olive Branch Petition Sent Final attempt at a peaceful resolution Terms of Petition Response of King George III

7. Fall/Winter 1775: A Call for “Common Sense” Background Content of Common Sense Who is Thomas Paine? What is his message? Why a King is not necessary Inherent evils of having a king

8. July 1776: Declaration of Independence One by one, the colonies declare their independence Continental Congress asks each colony to form its own government in preparation for independence Thomas Jefferson pens the document Accepted to July 2 nd, read on July 4th

9. The Revolution

10. The British Army Attitude Strategy Advantages The Colonists Attitudes Strategy Advantages

11. Choosing sides: For or Against? Loyalists Patriots Quakers Native Americans

12. New York – Summer, 1776 Howe & Howe (GB) led 30,000 + soldiers and mercenaries Washington had 20,000 poorly trained and under equipped men By Fall, Continental Army pushed across Delaware and troops dwindled to 8000 Big What if? for American history

13. Battle of Trenton – Christmas, 1776 Washington led troops across DE River into PA Attacked a group of Hessians guarding garrisons Defeated Hessians who were drunk from holiday Significance/Effects: Many men re-enlisted

14. Fall of Philadelphia – September, 1777 Howe (GB) sailed south from NY in Spring Washington failed to block redcoats at Brandywine Creek Thus, allowing GB to secure Philadelphia

15. Saratoga – October, 1777 The Plan: Burgoyne & Howe (GB) attempt to cut off New England from rest of colonies The Problems: Burgoyne continued to lose men in smaller fights with Americans Burgoyne did not know Howe was in Philadelphia, and was not coming to meet him The Result: American Victory Drastic change in GB war strategy – Keep troops near coast! Turning point in War

16. Saratoga – A Turning Point Bolstered French supported FR Recognized American independence France refused to make peace with GB, until GB recognized American independence Surrender at Saratoga

17. Because I lost a bet…The Leadership of Mad Anthony Wayne Local boy – Paoli Became a general in 1776 Involvement in Battles Paoli Massacre Monmouth

18. Valley Forge - Winter of 1777 – 1778 More than 2000 men died from the conditions

19. European Allies Volunteers Friedrich von Steuben Prussian Captain Taught field maneuvers, firing techniques Marquis de Lafayette French aristocrat Lobby for French aid Command army in Virginia Lafayette & Washington at Valley Forge Von Steuben drills Continental Army at Valley Forge

20. War Heads South After defeat @ Saratoga, British change strategy Cornwallis (GB) Sailed south to Charles Town, S.C w/ 8500 men Easily defeated Americans Why Charles Town? Able to establish forts Enjoyed much success in 1780 BUT Cornwallis is moving into NC

21. The Legend of Benedict Arnold 1779 1780 Why did he do it?

22. Cornwallis crosses into N.C. - 1781 Met with opposition, and forced to retreat Grueling chase ensues between two armies American Victories @ Kings Mt. & Cowpens Unexpected! Were outnumbered!

23. Surrender at Yorktown – October 1781 Cornwallis makes camp Poor strategic position French supply 6000 additional troops Surround British French Naval force 17,000 American & French troops After 3 weeks, Cornwallis surrenders October 1781 Surrender at Yorktown

24. Treaty of Paris - 1783 US, Great Britain, France, & Spain Confirms US Independence Treaty Provisions US land: Atlantic Ocean to Mississippi Rv. British creditors could collect debts

25. Egalitarianism A belief in the equality of all people Began to spread during the Revolution Ironically applied to only white males