War for War for IndependenceIndependence

11stst Continental Congress Continental Congress 17741774

Meets in PhiladelphiaMeets in PhiladelphiaWhy Philadelphia?Why Philadelphia?

Purpose of the Continental Purpose of the Continental CongressCongressTo protect Colonial Rights To protect Colonial Rights

against tyrannical Britainagainst tyrannical Britain

First ShotsFirst Shots

British troops are sent to confiscate British troops are sent to confiscate Colonial guns and ammunition at Colonial guns and ammunition at Concord Mass.Concord Mass.

Capture key members of the Sons Capture key members of the Sons of Liberty. Samuel Adams & John of Liberty. Samuel Adams & John Hancock.Hancock.

Paul Revere and William Dawes Paul Revere and William Dawes ride out to warn the minutemen.ride out to warn the minutemen.

““THE BRITISH ARE COMING!”THE BRITISH ARE COMING!”

Battle of LexingtonBattle of Lexington 4/19/1775, 14/19/1775, 1st st Shots of the Shots of the

American Revolution.American Revolution. ““Shot Heard Round the Shot Heard Round the

World”World” Who fired first?Who fired first? Who won? Who won?

Results of LexingtonResults of Lexington 700 British “Redcoats” vs 70 700 British “Redcoats” vs 70

Minutemen.Minutemen. 8 Colonial men are killed8 Colonial men are killed 0 British losses0 British losses Easy British victoryEasy British victory Redcoats press on toward ConcordRedcoats press on toward Concord Minutemen from local areas come to Minutemen from local areas come to

fight the British.fight the British.

Battle of ConcordBattle of Concord Minutemen use Guerrilla Tactics Minutemen use Guerrilla Tactics Defeat the British at the North Defeat the British at the North

Bridge near ConcordBridge near Concord British retreat back toward British retreat back toward

BostonBoston Approx 4000 Minutemen line Approx 4000 Minutemen line

the route back to Boston.the route back to Boston.

Results of the Battle of Results of the Battle of ConcordConcord

Casualties:Casualties:British 273British 273Colonists 87Colonists 87

Smashing Colonial VictorySmashing Colonial Victory Increases Colonial moral, Increases Colonial moral,

increases confidence in the increases confidence in the Rebellion.Rebellion.

Infuriates King George IIIInfuriates King George III

22ndnd Continental Congress Continental Congress May 1775 in PhiladelphiaMay 1775 in Philadelphia John Hancock is 2John Hancock is 2ndnd CC President CC President George Washington chosen as George Washington chosen as

commanding general of Continental commanding general of Continental Army.Army.

Olive Branch PetitionOlive Branch Petition One last hope to restore harmony One last hope to restore harmony

between Britain and the Colonies.between Britain and the Colonies.• King George III rejects the Olive Branch PetitionKing George III rejects the Olive Branch Petition

Battle of Bunker HillBattle of Bunker Hill Bloodiest Battle of the American Bloodiest Battle of the American

Revolution.Revolution. 1000 British losses1000 British losses 400 Colonial losses400 Colonial losses

3 British frontal assaults are repulsed.3 British frontal assaults are repulsed. Colonists “Don’t fire until you see the Colonists “Don’t fire until you see the

whites of their eyes.”whites of their eyes.” Battle is actually fought on Breeds Battle is actually fought on Breeds

Hill.Hill.

Results of Bunker HillResults of Bunker Hill Proof Colonists Proof Colonists

can fight.can fight. Confidence for Confidence for

Colonial troops.Colonial troops. Revenge of King Revenge of King

George III.George III.

British StrengthsBritish Strengths Best Army & Best Army &

Navy in the Navy in the WorldWorld

Strong Central Strong Central GovernmentGovernment

Lots of MoneyLots of Money

Colonial StrengthsColonial Strengths The Cause of The Cause of

IndependenceIndependence Leadership Leadership

(later) of (later) of George George WashingtonWashington

Common SenseCommon Sense Written by Thomas PaineWritten by Thomas Paine Explains in simple terms why Explains in simple terms why

the colonies should declare the colonies should declare independence.independence.

Very influentialVery influentialUncle Tom’s CabinUncle Tom’s CabinThe JungleThe JungleSilent SpringSilent Spring

Declaration of Declaration of IndependenceIndependence

6/7/1776 Richard Henry Lee, 6/7/1776 Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia introduces the of Virginia introduces the idea to dissolve all political idea to dissolve all political bands with Great Britain.bands with Great Britain.

John Adams of Mass is the John Adams of Mass is the driving engine behind driving engine behind independence.independence.

Declaration CommitteeDeclaration Committee Ben Franklin, John Adams, Ben Franklin, John Adams,

Thomas Jefferson, Roger Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, Robert LivingstonSherman, Robert Livingston

Author of DeclarationAuthor of Declaration Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson

22ndnd Youngest Youngest member of CCmember of CC

VirginiaVirginia Slave ownerSlave owner Outlawed Slavery Outlawed Slavery

in original in original Declaration.Declaration.

Adoption of DeclarationAdoption of Declaration All 13 Colonies must adopt.All 13 Colonies must adopt. Slavery Clause must be Slavery Clause must be

removed.removed.To insure Southern supportTo insure Southern support

Adopted 7/4/1776Adopted 7/4/1776

British StrategyBritish Strategy Abandon BostonAbandon Boston Attack New York CityAttack New York City

Advance up the Hudson RiverAdvance up the Hudson RiverCut off New England from the Cut off New England from the

rest of the coloniesrest of the coloniesWhy?Why?

Battle of New YorkBattle of New York British VictoryBritish Victory

New York City Abandoned by Colonial New York City Abandoned by Colonial ArmyArmy

Devastating Defeat for Colonial ArmyDevastating Defeat for Colonial Army Question the Leadership of George Question the Leadership of George

WashingtonWashington Washington retreats across New Washington retreats across New

Jersey & into PennsylvaniaJersey & into Pennsylvania

German MercenariesGerman Mercenaries MercenaryMercenary

Paid soldiers from a different Paid soldiers from a different countrycountry

British hire German British hire German MercenariesMercenaries• HessiansHessians

Battle Of TrentonBattle Of Trenton Washington’s Crossing of the Washington’s Crossing of the

Delaware RiverDelaware River Attack Hessians at TrentonAttack Hessians at Trenton River crossing begins at nightfall River crossing begins at nightfall

12/25/1776, Christmas Night12/25/1776, Christmas Night Counting on the Element of Counting on the Element of

Surprise. Hope for drunkenness.Surprise. Hope for drunkenness.

Results Of TrentonResults Of Trenton Morale for the Continental ArmyMorale for the Continental Army Recruitment goes up!Recruitment goes up! Confidence in General Confidence in General

WashingtonWashington Hessian LossesHessian Losses

23 Dead23 Dead 92 Wounded92 Wounded 913 Captured913 Captured

Colonial Losses 0Colonial Losses 0