1. Revolutionary War 1775-1783 Part I

2. Recap 1 st Continental Congress 1 st Continental Congress Sep-Oct 1774 Sep-Oct 1774 Petitioned King and Parliament Petitioned King and Parliament Organized boycotts Organized boycotts 2 nd Continental Congress 2 nd Continental Congress Met from May 1775-1781 Met from May 1775-1781 June, 1775 approve of a Continental Army June, 1775 approve of a Continental Army July, 1775 Olive Branch Petition July, 1775 Olive Branch Petition July 2, 1776 Independence July 2, 1776 Independence July 4, 1776 Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776 Declaration of Independence

3. Siege of Boston After L&C in April, 1775, ~20,000 armed Patriots surround Boston After L&C in April, 1775, ~20,000 armed Patriots surround Boston 6,000 British soldiers contained 6,000 British soldiers contained May, 1775, Vermont Militia captures Fort Ticonderoga May, 1775, Vermont Militia captures Fort Ticonderoga Provide Patriots with cannons/supplies Provide Patriots with cannons/supplies

6. Bunker Hill (June, 1775) Americans occupied two hills north of Boston (Bunker/Breed’s Hills) Americans occupied two hills north of Boston (Bunker/Breed’s Hills) British took the strategic high ground, but at a huge loss British took the strategic high ground, but at a huge loss British casualties - 1,100 British casualties - 1,100 Patriot casualties - 400 Patriot casualties - 400 January, cannons from Ticonderoga arrive in Boston January, cannons from Ticonderoga arrive in Boston British abandon Boston in March, 1776 British abandon Boston in March, 1776

7. Lacked well- supplied, stable army Continental Congress lacked power to force states to provide troops, supplies, and $$$ Militia fighters would often go home Citizens resented paying taxes to support the war Hostile territory, fought far from home American WeaknessesBritish Weaknesses

8. Fighting in their own “backyard” Many officers familiar with tactics from F&I War More African Americans fought for the Patriot cause than the British Well equipped, disciplined, trained army Powerful Navy to support/transport troops and protect supply lines Support in colonies from Loyalists/Tories, Slaves, and Indians American StrengthsBritish Strengths

9. British also hired about 30,000 mercenaries British also hired about 30,000 mercenaries Referred to as “Hessians” Referred to as “Hessians” American Propaganda promised them land American Propaganda promised them land Up to 5,000 stayed on in America after the war ended Up to 5,000 stayed on in America after the war ended

11. Battle of Long Island Summer of 1776, British and German troops under General William Howe land on Long Island Summer of 1776, British and German troops under General William Howe land on Long Island ~30,000 British/Hessians vs. 10,000 Americans ~30,000 British/Hessians vs. 10,000 Americans G.W. and troops are defeated outright, retreat to Manhattan, N.J, and then Pennsylvania G.W. and troops are defeated outright, retreat to Manhattan, N.J, and then Pennsylvania Washington receives praise: although he is defeated, most of his troops are evacuated safely Washington receives praise: although he is defeated, most of his troops are evacuated safely

12. British drive Washington’s troops out of N.Y.C. and into Pennsylvania British drive Washington’s troops out of N.Y.C. and into Pennsylvania Nathan Hale is captured and is said to have declared: Nathan Hale is captured and is said to have declared: “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Not all troops feel that way! Not all troops feel that way! By winter of 1776, many troops deserted, collapse likely By winter of 1776, many troops deserted, collapse likely

13. Desperate Times Christmas night, 1776, Washington’s troops ferry across ice-choked Delaware River Christmas night, 1776, Washington’s troops ferry across ice-choked Delaware River Battle of Trenton Battle of Trenton Nearly entire Hessian force was captured Nearly entire Hessian force was captured Along with victory at Princeton the next month, victory boosts American morale and convinced many that the Patriots could win Along with victory at Princeton the next month, victory boosts American morale and convinced many that the Patriots could win

14. Washington Crossing the Delaware

15. Grand Union Flag

17. Battle of Saratoga June, 1777, General John Burgoyne led British troops from Canada into northern New York June, 1777, General John Burgoyne led British troops from Canada into northern New York Attempt to cut off New England from other colonies Attempt to cut off New England from other colonies In September, Americans won series of critical victories around Saratoga, N.Y. In September, Americans won series of critical victories around Saratoga, N.Y. By October, Burgoyne surrendered By October, Burgoyne surrendered TURNING POINT OF WAR TURNING POINT OF WAR