REVOLUTIONARY WAR

* Topic/Objective Describe the 4 key battles of the Revolutionary War

* Essential Question How did the Key battles of the Am Revolution result in

the colonies independence from Britain?

* Colonial Attempts to Avoid War – Nothing Worked

1) Boycotts: To avoid buying or using products as a protest2) Diplomacy: Sending ambassadors to Britain to protest laws & taxes3) Active Resistance: Direct disobedience Sons of Liberty Boston Tea Party

*Battle of Lexington & Concord – April 1775

1) First battle of Revolution

2) 700 British troops sent to Concord w/orders to: Arrest Samuel Adams & John Hancock in Lex Capture colonial arms & gunpowder in Concord

* Battle of Lexington & Concord – April 1775

3) “Midnight Ride” of Paul Revere to warn Patriots “the Br are coming”

4) Br were met by 70 Minutemen 8 Patriots killed near Lex 4,000 Patriots lined the road between Lex & Concord Br Redcoats forced to retreat back to Boston

* Battle of Lexington & Concord – April 1775

5) Am Victory – Br Defeated

Known as the “Shot Heard Round the World”

The Revolution begins!

* Declaration of Independence – July 4, 17761) Main author: Thomas Jefferson

2) Founding Document:

Declared Am Colonies independent & free from Britain

“Chain of Abuses” = a list of the colonies grievances (complaints) vs. England.

Stated people had the right to overthrow an unjust gov’t.

Declaration of Independence – July 4, 1776

* George Washington

1) Plantation Owner from Virginia

2) Farmer, Surveyor, Military

3) Elected Commander of the Continental Army

4) One of our Founding Fathers

5) Considered a great leader

* Battle of Trenton - December 1776

1) The Battle Surprise Attack on Christmas night Washington led his troops across

the icy Delaware River to Trenton Br soldiers & Hessians (hired

German soldiers) were camped Most were asleep from drinking &

holiday celebrating

2) Significance of this battle Washington’s 1st major victory Boosted colonial morale Renewed colonists’ faith in George Washington As a result, Continental Army gained more recruits

* Battle of Trenton - December 1776

* Battles of Saratoga – Aug to Oct 1777

1) The Battles

Saratoga - Located near Albany, NY 17,000 American vs. 17,000 British troops Continental Army won

* Battles of Saratoga – Aug to Oct 1777

New York

New York

* Battles of Saratoga – Aug to Oct 1777

2) Significance:

“Turning point of the war” Stopped Britain from splitting the colonies into two regions Convinced European nations that Am colonies could defeat Britain Convinced France to become an ally; Fr sends $$ & troops to aid the colonists

* Battle of Yorktown – Aug 17811) The Battle Yorktown - Located in Virginia British General Cornwallis

marched Br Army North to be picked up by Br Navy

Fr ships blockaded the Bay; kept Br fleet from rescuing Gen C & his troops Fr ships bombarded Br troops Br trapped by Fr and Am troops

* Battle of Yorktown – Aug 1781

2) Significance of the Battle

Final Battle; ends the Rev War Colonists would not have won w/o French military support Br Gen C surrenders in great shame G Washington & Continental Army declare VICTORY!

* Benjamin Franklin

1) Multi-talented individual: Printer, scientist, inventor, & Am ambassador

2) Helped edit the Dec of Independence

3) Traveled to France during the Rev War to seek help from the Fr Gov’t

4) Helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris

* Treaty of Paris -1783

1) The Peace Treaty Official end of the Am Rev Peace talks took place in Paris, France Negotiated by Ben Franklin, John Adams, & John Jay.

* Treaty of Paris - 1783

2) Outcomes: Terms of the Treaty

Colonies gain freedom from Br rule

US recognized as an independent country

US boundaries moved: W to the Mississippi River, N to Canada, & S to Florida

Each side would repay debts it owed the other

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