The American Revolution 1775-1783

The American Revolution1775-1783

The Combatants

British Advantages • Army of Regulars • Top Navy in the world • 30,000 Hessian – German mercenaries • 50,000 Tories – American loyalist • Large industrial base • Money and Supplies

American Advantages • 3,000 miles of ocean • Home field advantage (defensive war) • Fighting for independence – Desire to be FREE • Leadership (Washington) • Possible French assistance • Guerilla tactics – shoot and run

Lexington and Concord • April 19, 1775 • First military engagement of the Revolution • Unclear start to a revolution • “The shot heard round the world”

LEXINGTON FIRST BATTLE WHERE EIGHT COLONISTS ARE KILLED BY BRITISH SOLDIERS ON THEIR WAY TO CONCORD TO TAKE A COLONIAL MILITARY SUPPLY DEPOT

Concord LOCATION OF THE COLONIAL MILITARY SUPPLY DEPOT THAT THE BRITISH TRIED TO CAPTURE. LED TO THE CALLING OF THE 2ND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS Olive Branch Petition Rejected by England North Bridge

The Shot Heard Round the World • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ikO6LMxF4

Breed’s Hill/ Bunker Hill • June 17, 1775 • British driven from Massachusetts (siege ends) • England ‘wins’ but loses ½ its men • Bloodiest battle of the war • British realize the scope of the revolution

Battle of Trenton December 26, 1776 Washington crossed the Delaware river during the winter Defeated the Hessians the American victory boosted Patriot morale

Battle of Saratoga • September 19 and October 7, 1777 • Turning Point • American victory • French have confidence to support Patriots with supplies • Franco-American Alliance of 1778

Cost of War • During the war, the British navy blockaded, or cut off from outside contact, the Atlantic Coast, which severely disrupted American trade. • Necessities were scarce. A few colonists took advantage of these shortages by profiteering, or selling scarce items at unreasonably high prices. Washington suggested that profiteers should be hanged. • Even when goods were available, it was not always possible to buy them. Inflation, a steady increase in prices over time, reduced people’s ability to buy goods. In Massachusetts, for example, the price of a bushel of corn rose from less than $1 in 1777 to almost $80 in 1779.

Valley Forge • December 19, 1777 – June 1, 1778 • Low point for Continental Army • Suffered through the winter without food or supplies • 3,000 soldiers die from starvation and disease One of the biggest problems facing Washington and his troops was a lack of food and clothing.

Yorktown • October 19, 1781 • Last major battle • Cornwallis cornered between land and sea • French and American army surround

Treaty of Paris • September 3, 1783 • Ends the American Revolution • Acknowledging the United States to be free, sovereign and independent states • American boundary: all the land from New England to the Mississippi River and north to the Great Lakes.

Map of Battles

Reverberations • The spread of the idea of liberty and equality • Influence the French Revolution

The American Revolution 1775-1783