“The Fight for America”

1. American Revolution “The Fight for America”

2. Lexington and Concord • General Gage was after the ring leaders of the rebellions • Patriot farmers and townspeople began practicing for a confrontation • Patriots watched British movements • People were to watch the “Bell Tower” in Christ’s Church in Boston • One if the British came by land and Two if By Sea

3. Lexington and Concord • April 18, 1775 • Paul Revere and Bill Dawes head toward Lexington and Concord • They were caught and arrested • 77 militiamen waited for the British • 8 militiamen were killed and the militia men were pushed back • Concord was warned • Militia were ready (3,000 to 4,000) • Guerilla Tactics were used. British retreat back to Boston

4. Battle of Bunker Hill • June, 1775 • Took place on Breed’s Hill • "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes.” • The Americans drove back two British charges before they ran out of ammunition. Americans fled with British 3rd charge. • More than 1,000 British soldiers and about 400 Americans were killed or wounded. • We won, they won

5. Declaration of Independence • Written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776 • Drew on ideas from John Locke • Natural Rights • Consent of the Governed • Grievances • Injustices of the Slave Trade

6. New York • The British thought that only New England was rebelling. • If they took New York they could isolate New England and contain the fighting • Washington knew of this plan and headed to New York • Washington and 23,000 colonial troops were almost cornered on Manhattan Island • Americans were chased through New Jersey and Pennsylvania

7. Battle of Trenton • Trenton New Jersey was held by the Hessians • Hessians were German soldiers for hire (mercenaries) • A fierce storm had erupted • The Hessians were unprepared for an attack; celebrating holiday • Christmas- 12/25/1776 • Washington and 2,400 men crossed the Delaware River for a surprise attack • Trenton brought the victory Washington needed; morale booster

8. Battle Brandywine Creek • The British under General Howe wanted the American capital in Philadelphia • The Continental Congress had to flee the city • Washington tried to block the British from entering the city at the Battle of Brandywine Creek • Washington lost

9. Battle of Saratoga • British General Johnny Burgoyne planned to take the army from Canada to Albany New York • Burgoyne took 8,000 men with him • In addition to various “equipment” • The British get bogged down in the underbrush, trees, and gullies of the forest

10. Battle of Saratoga • Continental Army appoints General Horatio Gates to lead this portion of the campaign • He is a very successful General • Burgoyne does not receive any reinforcements as planned • American troops surround the British and he is forced to surrender to Gates

11. Saratoga A Turning Point in the War… Never again would the British send troops through the countryside Americans now had proof that they could win Now able to persuade France to Assist the U.S.

12. France and the Alliances • In 1778 the U.S. and France signed an alliance • France recognized US independence • Agreed to assist the US until independence was achieved • Spain joined the fight in 1779 • Made the port of New Orleans available to America • Got Florida Back

13. Valley Forge • Located just outside Philadelphia, it was the sight of the “winter camp” for the Continentals • Proved to be a low point • Harsh weather, poor conditions, lacking supplies, disease and deserting was rampant. • Despite the conditions, Baron Friedrich von Steuben (Prussian) drilled the soldiers, improved their discipline and they came out as a well trained army.

14. British Change Their Strategy • Focus turns to the South • Regain a foothold there and then head North • 1780 General Henry Clinton replaces General Howe • He and General Cornwallis bring 8,500 men to America • In May of 1780 they take Charles Town South Carolina • British have much success in 1780… in 1781 the tide will change

15. 1781 the Carolinas Battle of Cowpens (South Carolina) Battle of Guilford Courthouse (North Carolina) • In January of 1781 British and American forces meet at Cowpens South Carolina. • The Americans under Greene are victorious • Occurs 2 months after Cowpens • Cornwallis wins but it costs him ¼ of his troops

16. Battle of Yorktown • British General Charles Cornwallis sets up camp in Yorktown Virginia • Together the French and Americans head toward Yorktown with 17,000 troops • The British are surrounded • British navy doesn’t come to the aid of Cornwallis • After three weeks, October 18th 1781 Cornwallis surrenders

17. Treaty of Paris 1783 • Terms of the Treaty • Britain recognized the 13 colonies as independent states. • The Americans regained their right to fish off the banks of Newfoundland • All debts owed by citizens of either nation to creditors of the other were to be paid. • Loyalists were not to be persecuted

18. Treaty of Paris 1783 • New Nation Boundaries • On the north by Canada and the Great Lakes • On the South by Spanish controlled Florida which extended then to the Mississippi River • On the east by the Atlantic Ocean • On the West by the Mississippi River