By: Carol Fahringer

I. Americans Choose Independence

A. First __________________ – formed

September 1774

1. Delegates from every colony except ________ meet in___________ .

Georgia

Philadelphia

CongressContinental

• Refuse to cooperate until the ____________ are stopped

*Agreed to meet in _________

2. Wrote Declaration of Rights – * Asked George III to act as peace maker (rejected idea)

Intolerable Acts

May 1775

B. Patriot Patrick Henry’s Speech“___________________________”

C. Colonial Dissatisfaction was not about money alone –

* Unhappiness because of lack

of representation and respect

Give me liberty or give me death!

II. The Battle Begins

• “_________________________” – stated in the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson to describe the Lexington battle.

A. Lexington and Concord, MAThe shot heard round the world

B. Second Continental Congress– Delegates from all 13 Colonies – meet May

1775– Choose George Washington as Military

Commander

- Wrote Olive Branch Petition • Stated that Americans were loyal

• Insisted armies be removed from the Colonies

• Demanded repeal of the Intolerable Acts

C. “Common Sense” published by Thomas Paine – Jan. 1776

• Convinced Colonists to seek independence

• Regarded British/American relationship as parent/child

• As the child grows, they need to separate

III. Declaration of Independence

A. Written by Thomas Jefferson

– John Locke – English philosopher influences ideas

– Abolishment of slavery – edited out

B. Preamble (introduction) includes:1. Abuse of human rights under British rule

* Rights are from God

(life, liberty, pursuit of happiness)

2. Idea that government should be –

– Contract – by people and between people & rulers

C. Statement of Independence

•King George III – tyrant•Familiar idea in America

IV. Early BattlesA. Fort Ticonderoga –

May 1775

1. Benedict Arnold joins Ethan Allen & Green Mountain Boys of VT

2. Surprise attack the fort

– Gained cannon & artillery

B. Breeds (Bunker) Hill – June 1775

1. Patriots seized Breeds Hill

2. British General Howe

3. Marched troops up the hill (in formation)

• British win- American supply lines fail

• Americans retreat over Bunker Hill

C. Canadian Campaign – Fall 1775-Spring 1776

1. Americans Benedict Arnold & Montgomery:

• Travel north in fall-winter

2. Montgomery captures Montreal

3. Americans attack Quebec -(New Years Eve)

* Montgomery killed, Arnold wounded

V. British Battle Strategy – Move South

* Charleston, SC1. British Gen. Clinton attacks w/navy * Flimsy patriot fort withstands attack2. General Clinton returns to New York

VI. War in the Middle Colonies

A. New York City – August 1776 1. Major city - important for both sides 2. British Generals: Howe & Clinton 3. General George Washington – divides troops

3. Nathan Hale – Spies – guilty of treason* Hanged – saying

“_________________________________________ “4. Washington & troops retreat

B. Thomas Paine writes American Crisis

“___________________________________________”

* Urges support of the American

army

These are the times that try men’s souls…

I only regret that

I have but one life to lose for my country.

C. Trenton, NJ1. City held by Hessian soldiers

(British mercenaries)

2. Washington chooses Dec. 26 to attack

a. Men rowed across Delaware River

b. Attack early morning - Hessian’s sleepy

c. No American Casualties – boosts morale

3. British driven from New Jersey

D. Albany Campaign – February 1777

1. Hudson River was the most important river

2. British Strategy – Isolate New England -Meet at Albany:

• British Generals Howe, Burgoyne and St. Ledger

• Plan to join forces and control the Hudson River

3. Failed because of poor planning – Burgoyne continues alone

E. Battle of Saratoga – Begins October 7,

1777 1. Two battles at Freedman’s farm2. Americans Gates & Arnold fight with

Daniel Morgan's riflemen3. Against “Gentlemen Johnny” Burgoyne 4. October 17, 1777 Burgoyne surrenders

***A turning point in the war!

– And as a result…

F. France enters the war officially

G. Valley Forge – Winter 1777-1778

* from disease or the cold

b. Not enough food or shelter – supply lines break down

c. German General Von Steuben trains Soldiers

- strict disciplinarian

1. British General Howe parties in Philadelphia2. General Washington & troops suffering –

20 mi. awaya. 2,400 American troops die

H. Monmouth Court House – June 17781. British General Clinton abandons Philadelphia

* New York City to be strategic stronghold

2. Blistering hot day – 95-100 degrees

• Mary Ludwig

Hays (McCauley) brings water to troops.• Known later as “Molly Pitcher”

3. Largest land battle of the war.

• Washington’s finest hour – encourages men

VII. War Ends in the South

A. Frontier Fighting (1778-1779)

1. Motivation: expansion of western land * Ohio Valley & Illinois region * Local Indians sided with British 2. Lt. Colonel George Rogers Clark leads (VA frontier fighter)

B. Southern Colonies (states)

1. Charleston, SC – February 1780

a. British General Clinton attacks

b. Revenge for earlier loss –

* prisoners not allowed regimental colors or music

2. “No Quarter” Tarleton – ordered by Cornwallis

• Overpowers & massacres 1,200 fleeing soldiers

3. Kings Mountain, SC – October 1780

a. Local militia fiercely fight (seeking revenge)b. Loyalist Battalions lose–American officers don’t allow

massacrec. First substantial American win in

South

4. Cowpens – January 1781

a. American Leaders: Daniel Morgan (army) & Colonel William

Washington (Cavalry)

»Use deceptive battle strategy

b. Fight - “No Quarter” Tarleton (he barely escapes)

c. 1 Hr. fighting – Americans win!

VIII. The Final Battle

A. Yorktown, VA – October 17811. British General Cornwallis – at

Yorktown peninsula

2. Washington, Lafayette & Rochambeau’s strategy:

– American troops to VA– French Navy – Admiral deGrasse will

blockade

3. British strategy Cornwallis trapped – so Clinton’s navy will rescue (fails) – British are cut off!

4. Cornwallis surrenders Oct. 17 – American’s win!

***Fighting has ended - but there is still war…

IX. PeaceA. Treaty of Paris

– signed November 1783

B. American Negotiators:

* John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin

C. Terms of treaty:

1. Recognized independence for the 13 colonies

2. Remove all troops as soon as possible

3. Gained fishing rights off the Canadian coast

4. Land settlement:

a. 13 colonies

b. Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi River

c. Land doesn’t include Canada or Florida

D. American Revolution lasted __ years __ years of fighting and __ years of Treaty negotiation.

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