Fighting for Independence

WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE

Make a question that you would put on the test on Wednesday? Answer your question?

WARM UP

After the lesson, students will be able to List in chronological order the major battles of the

Revolutionary War Describe the events and outcome of each major battle of

the Revolutionary War. Map out the British and Colonial routes Notes on most important battles

OBJECTIVES

Complete Time Line events Complete map of Battles

Follow directions given to you in the packet. Pick out 2 colors representing the Continental Army and the

British Army. (Example: Red: Continental Army Blue: British Army)

TODAY’S GOALS

April 19, 1775 1st battle in the American Revolution 700 British soldiers sent to destroy military supplies

in Concord. Met 70 armed militia met at Lexington. Pushed to Concord. Continental Army got supplies out before they

reached Concord. Americans “Won”

BATTLE OF LEXINGTON AND CONCORD

May 10, 1775 Meets in Philadelphia PA Took powers of central govt. Voted to ask the colonies for Supplies Named George Washington commander-in-chief

SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS

June 17,1775 British Attacked American Troops. Do not shoot until you see the “whites of their eyes” Americans turned back the British 2 times before

running out of ammunition British Won.

BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL

Written by Thomas Jeff erson Signed July 4, 1776

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

1776 Parliaments authorized an army of 55,000 including 30,000 mercenaries.

August 1776, these troops appeared off the coast of NYC

Commanded by Sir William Howe. Sent George Washington a conciliatory letter Washington refused the proposal British moved into action. British took NYC and held it until the war ended

Seven years later.

BRITAIN SENDS TROOPS

The Brtish forces followed Washington’s army up the Hudson River and,when he crossed to NJ, they pursued hom southward to the Delaware River.

Because of desertions, deaths, and captures, the American Army was now reduced to 5,000 and the continental Congress was forced to flee from Philadelphia to Baltimore.

BRITISH INVADE AMERICA

December 26, 1776George Washington crossed the DelawareSurprised drunk Hessians on December 26 th Killed & captured over 1,000 men in 45 minutes. Victory for Americans boosted morale.

BATTLE OF TRENTON

Keeping troops in-service was nearly impossibleWashington could never count on more than 20,000

under his command at any point. Washington begged for troops. Congress could only

ask the states. Congress lacked the power to tax Congress issued Continentals or paper money to be

used as currency instead of British coins. Robert Morris, a PA merchant and banker, personally

pledged large amounts of money for the war eff ort.

MONEY PROBLEMS

Benjamin Franklin became the principal American representative to France

France wouldn’t assist America the American struggle unless there was some hope of success.

FRENCH ASSISTANCE

October 1777General Burgoyne defeated by American forces by

General Horatio Gates British ministers off ered to grant the Americans

generous rights of self-government within the British Empire.

Win got France to recognize American independence ally with the Americans.

BATTLE OF SARATOGA

Winter 1777-1778 Fell at Battle of Brandywine and Germantown

BRITISH OCCUPY PHILADELPHIA

Winter 1778 Harsh winter for Washington’s men Reading on Winter at Valley Forge

WINTER AT VALLEY FORGE

1778 French Money, Soldiers, and naval power Essential to American Victory

ALLIANCE WITH FRANCE

1779 General Bernardo de Galvez

Ship supplies Defeated British at Baton Rouge

Made British divert troops

SPAIN ENTERS WAR

May, 1780 6 week siege Americans Surrendered

SIEGE OF CHARLESTON

1780Attempted to turn over Fort at West Point to the

BritishMessage was intercepted

BENEDICT ARNOLD’S TREASON

French blocked entrance at Chesapeake Bay

FRENCH AND BRITISH BATTLE IN CHESAPEAKE BAY

Oct 1781 French fleet prevented British from rescuing Cornwallis Surrounded on all sides at Yorktown and under

bombardments Cornwallis Surrenders

SIEGE OF YORKTOWN/CORNWALLIS SURRENDERS

The Treaty of Paris in 1783 acknowledged American independence granted the new nation land from the Atlantic Ocean to the

Mississippi River.

TREATY OF PARIS, 1783

Gave new hope to the oppressed in Europe and endangered the old system of monarchy and aristocracy

One of the Causes of the French Revolution Inspired French revolutionaries

Helped to ensure that the British monarch was made a figurehead.

Persuaded the British to allow their remaining colonies more self government.

INFLUENCE OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

What struggles did the American Continental Army face?

COOL DOWN