American Revolutionary War
1775-1783
Pre Revolutionary War
Revolutionary War
Pre Revolutionary War
Continental Congress I
Continental Congress I -First meeting was held in Philadelphia
September 1774-Meeting was NOT about becoming independent from the Crown -Wrote a letter to Britain expressing their concerns and disappointments with the “Acts” that passed tax burdens on the colonists-Continental Congress agreed to reconvene in six months in anticipation of Britain’s response
Continental Congress II -May 1775
-British parliament did not respond to the Continental Congress’ letter, the Crown saw the letter as a joke.-The Continental Congress made the decision to form a revolutionary government and to stay in session for the rest of the War.
Revolutionary War
Early Battles
Britain's Response
Colonists Loyalty to Britain
Division in the Colonies
Declaration of Independence
George Washington
Army VS. Militia
Weapons
Military Campaign
DIVISION IN THE COLONIES-The 13 colonies did not agree on the decision to go to war with Britain
-1/3 Supported independence-1/3 Supported loyalty to Britain (Loyalists)-1/3 Were Neutral
Treatment of the Loyalists
Treatment of the Loyalist -Loyalists were referred to as “Tories”
-Slang for a traitor-During and after the Revolution Loyalists were stolen from, beaten up, tortured and murdered. State governments looked in the other direction while this was happening -Britain made no effort to protect the loyalists-80,000 loyalists fled the United States to reside in Canada1,000 African American loyalists fled back to Africa
Early Battles Militia at Lexington Bridge
Dorchester Heights
Bunker Hill
Militia attack at Lexington Bridge
General Thomas Gage
And his British solders were met by militia resistance at a Lexington bridge
DORCHESTER HEIGHTSGreat Views of
Boston!!!Protection given by
14,000 militia men
camped out waiting
for a fight.
Birth place of the Continental Army On June 14, 1775
George Washington was
named the general of
the Continental Army.
We now celebrate this
as Flag Day
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Battle at Bunker Hill
Battle fought strategically
-Americans built trench style fortifications
-Waited to fire until they could see the whites of the British's eyes
Death Toll
British DeathsAmerican Death
400
1000
-It took three waves of British soldiers to penetrate American trenches
Britain’s response to the colonists revolt
-Britain saw the revolution as an open revolt against the crown-Immediately called for a naval blockade of the American coast line -Hired 50,000 German mercenaries and sent them to America -That’s 25 percent of the entire continental army!!!!
Britain put their foot down
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Colonist wanted to Stay loyal to Britain
-The Grand union flag has 13 stripes and Britain’s flag in the left hand corner-When British munitions were captured, they were inventoried and stored with hopes of returning them to Britain.-Washington was known to toast to King Gorge III, the monarch of Britain
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Declaration of IndependenceJuly 4, 1776
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George Washington
Best General in United States History
Lost more battles than he won
Washington was a symbol of
American Freedom
Created the continental army while in his tent
Washington read, “Common Sense” by Thomas Payne, to his
troops During the war
was Given Dictatorship
power over the colonies , but he didn’t accept it
After the war he went back
to working on his farm Next
Would George prefer a continental army or
one militia groupContinental Army Militia Group
Freedom is alive as long as the continental army is fighting
Highly trained professional
soldiers
3 year enlistment
period
20% of the Colonial
Fighting Force
80% of the Colonial Fighting ForceMade up of “Weekend Warrior” fightersOfficers were Ranked Based on Wealth not Military Experience
Drain on Supplies and Food, at one time
Washington Called the Militia Worthless
Served 3,6,9, or 12 Month Enlistments
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Weaponry
This is an example of
a rifled barrel which
was unusual and rare
Flintlock pistol, re
plica
of Washington's
Powder horn for
holding gunpowder
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Wounds Lead bullets flattened out in midair and caused large exit holes in
victims
Fatal Nonfatal
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MILITARY CAMPAIGN
Siege of BostonJune 1775-March 1776
Trenton-Princeton CampaignDec 76-Jan 77
New York Campaign July-August 1776
The Siege of Boston
The Continental Army Sat atop of Dorchester Heights for 9 months forcing
the British to leave Boston and move south to New York
New York Campaign
British forces headed south from Boston, Washington
gathered troops and met the British in New York.
Washington and his troops were chased out of New York.
Washington put in a letter of resignation, but the continental
congress urged him to stay
Trenton-Princeton Campaign
Washington’s surprise attack Christmas night on
a small garrison in Trenton Attacked Princeton on January
2nd 1777.Small wins in military context but large wins for morale and
the cause
Good Job George
FIN