Battles of the Revolutionary War

1. Battles of the Revolutionary War 1775-1781

2. Lexington & Concord - April 19, 1775 • Captain John Parker (P) • Thomas Gage & Major Pitcairn (B) • British were after the colonists supplies (weapons @ Concord). • They met the colonists at Lexington. • This was the first shot of the Rev. War. • “Shot heard all around the world!”

3. Fort Ticonderoga May 10, 1775 • Ethan Allen & Benedict Arnold (P) • The fort was taken without a shot fired. • 59 British cannons were captured and were later used in Boston.

4. Bunker Hill (Breed’s Hill)June 17, 1775 • Col. William Prescott (P) • Gen. Thomas Gage & Maj. Gen. William Howe (B) • The British already failed two times in capturing the hill. • One the third time they captured it. • The Patriots ran out of ammunition. “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.” • The British lose 1,000 men. • Morale victory for Colonists – believe in themselves, showed they could stand up to the British.

5. Common SenseJanuary 1776 "For all men being originally equals, no one by birth could have a right to set up his own family in perpetual preference to all others for ever” Common Sense, 1776, "On monarchy and hereditary succession." • Thomas Paine - Author • 126,000 copies sold • First widely read literature that openly pushed for independence from Britain. • Simply stated that it is common sense to break away from England. • Public opinion begins to swing to independence.

6. Declaration of Independence - July 4, 1776 • Thomas Jefferson – wrote original draft and then presented it to Ben Franklin and John Adams who made revisions • Formal statement announcing our break with G.B. and new status as an independent nation. • Nation’s birth-date. • New motivation in fighting the British. • Act of Treason.

7. Long Island, NYJuly - September 1776 • George Washington (P) • General Howe (B) • 32,000 British v. 19,000 Patriots. • Colonists retreat into NJ then into PA. • British fail to pursue the retreating colonists. • Low point in the Revolution for colonists. • Washington almost loses his army.

8. Trenton, NJDecember 25, 1776 • George Washington (P) • Colonel Rall (Hessians -> B) • Washington plans surprise crossing of Delaware River on Christmas night. • Hessians are partying on Christmas day. • Washington attacks drunken Hessians. • Washington saves army and gains much needed supplies.

9. Saratoga (Turning Point)September 19 - October 17, 1777 • John Burgoyne (B) • Benedict Arnold & Horatio Gates (P) • Burgoyne is defeated by the Patriots who used guerilla warfare. • 7,000 British surrender. • Continental Army used their strengths of knowing the land. • France enters the war due to this Patriot win.

10. Winter at Valley Forge Winter 1777-1778 • George Washington (P), Lafayette (France), Von Stueben (Prussian) • 1,000 men die due to elements (no shoes, clothing, shelter etc.) • Soldiers are trained by Von Stueben • Spirits lifted by the spring • British could have attacked!

11. Treaty of Alliance is SignedSpring 1778 • Ben Franklin (P) • Vergennes (Foreign Minister) • King Louis XVI • France formally joins the patriots and enters the war as an ally. • France’s support (money, weapons, navy etc.) now gives patriots the advantage.

12. Yorktown, VASeptember - October 19, 1781 • George Washington, Rochambeau (P) • Lord Cornwallis (B) • British are trapped at the James River. • French Navy blocks the Chesapeake Bay. • Blocking the British from leaving. • 8,000 British surrender. • British decide they cannot win and call it quits! • Last major military engagement of the war.

13. Treaty of ParisSeptember 3, 1783 • John Jay and Ben Franklin • A treaty is signed. • Great Britain formally recognizes the independence of America. • America receives all the territory gained between the Atlantic and the Mississippi River.