A New Nation at WAR!!

The Revolutionary War begins as Minutemen in

Massachusetts exchange shots at Lexington &

Concord with the REDCOATS.

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Americans pick sides• Patriots-Believed

in complete independence from Britain

• Provided troops for the army.

• Loyalists or Tories-remained loyal to Britain based on cultural & economic ties.

• Believed taxation was necessary for protection.

A Declaration of Freedom 1776!• “WE hold these truths to be self-

evident that all men are created equal.”“Government gets its power from the people”

• If a government violates these rights; “abolish it and institute a new government .”

Thomas Jefferson

The Battle of Great Bridge on December 9, 1775

Resulted in the capture of Norfolk by the Americans and the complete destruction of Norfolk on January 1, 1776. The Battle ended the rule of the British Crown in Virginia. Loyalists fled with the British.

MAJOR BATTLES

Major Battles• Dec. 26th 1776-Battle of Trenton Washington

crossed the Delaware River and surprises the Hessians to get weapons.

The American victory was the first of the war, and helped to restore American morale.

Ben Franklin asks the French for Help!

• Congress sent Franklin to France in December, 1776 to secure French aid for the Revolution.

Battle of Saratoga

• Colonial victory that marked the turning point of the war. Convinced France and Spain to aid the rebels

One quarter of the British forces in North America thus surrendered, and, while many battles were yet to be fought, American Independence was assured.

Trouble at Valley Forge• Dec. 1777-78 Colonists suffered through a brutal

winter at Valley Forge

• Thomas Paine writes “the CRISIS” urging people to support the war and fight for Liberty. “

• “These are the times that try a man’s soul!”

Victory at Sea!• September 23, 1779-John Paul Jones

defeats a British warship in the North Sea. When asked to surrender; Jones declared," Surrender NEVER, I have not begun to fight."

American TRAITOR• General Benedict Arnold conspired to turn

his command of West Point over to the British in exchange for a British commission and money.

Battle of Yorktown, VA 1781

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VICTORY at Yorktown, VA 1781

America got help from

the French Navy at

the Battle of Yorktown

and was able to force

Cornwallis to

surrender.

Help from France

French

nobleman who

helped the

Americans at

Yorktown

Marquis de Lafayette

Treaty of Paris Signed- 1783 • On September 3, 1783, a peace treaty

was formally signed between Great Britain and the United States. This treaty officially ended the Revolutionary War.

Help from Everyone

WOMEN Wives had to handle

the family business Mend Clothing Made ammunition Cooked for troops Some served in

Combat

BLACKSAbout 5,000Served in the Continental Army.Some slaves escaped to the North.

Factors Leading to America’s Victory

1. The British government grew tired of the struggle.2. Benjamin Franklin negotiated a Treaty of Alliance with France.3. The leadership of Washington

4. British underestimated the colonists strong desire to

be FREE.