Moving Toward Independence

1. Moving Toward Independence U.S. History Chapter 6

2. Americans Revolt In May of 1775, few delegates to the Continental Congress wanted to formally break ties with Britain.

3. Congress Reacts to Fighting • After the battles of Lexington and Concord, the Second Continental Congress sent a petition to George III, King of England. • Petition known as the “Olive Branch Petition”

4. Continental Army Formed • Second Continental Congress formed the army and appointed George Washington as commander • Army advantage over British troops was the military strategy based on local geography

5. Battle of Bunker Hill • 1st major battle of Revolution • British general Howe abandoned Boston because American cannons threatened the harbor • American naval blockade helped gain control of Boston

6. Independence Declared! • When Richard Henry Lee said that he was now “convinced of the necessity of separation,” he was influenced by Thomas Paine’s Common Sense

7. Independence Declared! Colonists made their final decision regarding their relationship with Britain when Congress voted to approve the Declaration of Independence.

8. Independence Declared! Three main ideas in the Declaration of Independence are: • Natural Rights • British Wrongs • Independence

9. Independence Declared! Everyone has a right to life and liberty: restates a main idea of the Declaration of Independence

10. Battle of Long Island British General Howe led his forces to New York to face Washington’s army. More than 1,400 Americans were killed, wounded or captured. Washington fled to avoid capture.

11. Battle of Trenton Battle began with Washington crossing the Delaware River.

12. Battle of Saratoga • British General Burgoyne surrendered in New York. • Battle was turning point in the war.

13. Valley Forge • Makeshift camp where American soldiers endured a long, cold winter. • Lack of government resources added to the terrible conditions

14. Valley Forge • Necessities collected by women helped ease the harsh conditions.

15. African Americans Join Fight • British offered freedom to slaves who would serve the king. • Washington began to allow free African Americans to join the Continental Army.

16. Fighting at Sea British navy was the most powerful in the world. However, Captain John Paul Jones won an important victory for America when he captured the British warship Serapis.

17. Fighting in the South British Commander-In-Chief Clinton knew many Loyalists lived in the southern backcountry. He hoped these Loyalists would join the British in fighting in the South.

18. Fighting in the South • Ability of the Patriot generals was the primary cause of the failure of Britain’s southern strategy. • Governor of Spanish Louisiana helped Patriot cause by seizing British forts.

19. Victory at Cowpens American General Morgan used unconventional tactics to win this battle. He ordered his front line to retreat. British troops chased them directly into the fire of Morgan’s second rank.

20. Battle of Yorktown • Final conflict of the American Revolution • British army was trapped by a fleet of French warships.

21. Battle of Yorktown • British General Cornwallisdisregarded an order and retreated to Yorktown Peninsula, trapping his troops.

22. Treaty of Paris Mutual agreement with Parliament finalized American independence from Britain

23. Treaty of Paris Treaty recognized U.S. as independent nation, extending from Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River.

24. Treaty of Paris Florida was returned to Spain.

25. KEY TERMS • Patriot: Favored war with the British • Loyalist: Favored peaceful solutions to the conflict with the British

26. Good Luck on Your Test!