War for Independence

1. War for Independence Fighting for Independence

2. Warm Up • Make a question that you would put on the test on Wednesday? Answer your question?

3. Objectives • After the lesson, students will be able to • List in chronological order the major battles of the Revolutionary War • Describe the events and outcome of each major battle of the Revolutionary War. • Map out the British and Colonial routes • Notes on most important battles

4. Today’s Goals • Complete Time Line events • Complete map of Battles • Follow directions given to you in the packet. • Pick out 2 colors representing the Continental Army and the British Army. (Example: Red: Continental Army Blue: British Army)

5. Battle of Lexington and Concord • April 19, 1775 • 1st battle in the American Revolution • 700 British soldiers sent to destroy military supplies in Concord. • Met 70 armed militia met at Lexington. • Pushed to Concord. • Continental Army got supplies out before they reached Concord. • Americans “Won”

6. Second Continental Congress • May 10, 1775 • Meets in Philadelphia PA • Took powers of central govt. • Voted to ask the colonies for Supplies • Named George Washington commander-in-chief

7. Battle of Bunker Hill • June 17,1775 • British Attacked American Troops. • Do not shoot until you see the “whites of their eyes” • Americans turned back the British 2 times before running out of ammunition • British Won.

8. Declaration of Independence • Written by Thomas Jefferson • Signed July 4, 1776

9. Britain Sends troops • 1776 Parliaments authorized an army of 55,000 including 30,000 mercenaries. • August 1776, these troops appeared off the coast of NYC • Commanded by Sir William Howe. • Sent George Washington a conciliatory letter • Washington refused the proposal • British moved into action. • British took NYC and held it until the war ended Seven years later.

10. British Invade America • The Brtish forces followed Washington’s army up the Hudson River and,when he crossed to NJ, they pursued hom southward to the Delaware River. • Because of desertions, deaths, and captures, the American Army was now reduced to 5,000 and the continental Congress was forced to flee from Philadelphia to Baltimore.

11. Battle of Trenton • December 26, 1776 • George Washington crossed the Delaware • Surprised drunk Hessians on December 26th • Killed & captured over 1,000 men in 45 minutes. • Victory for Americansboosted morale.

12. Money Problems • Keeping troops in-service was nearly impossible • Washington could never count on more than 20,000 under his command at any point. • Washington begged for troops. Congress could only ask the states. • Congress lacked the power to tax • Congress issued Continentals or paper money to be used as currency instead of British coins. • Robert Morris, a PA merchant and banker, personally pledged large amounts of money for the war effort.

13. French Assistance • Benjamin Franklin became the principal American representative to France • France wouldn’t assist America the American struggle unless there was some hope of success.

14. Battle of Saratoga • October 1777 • General Burgoyne defeated by American forces by General Horatio Gates • British ministers offered to grant the Americans generous rights of self-government within the British Empire. • Win got France to recognize American independence ally with the Americans.

15. British Occupy Philadelphia • Winter 1777-1778 • Fell at Battle of Brandywine and Germantown

16. Winter at Valley Forge • Winter 1778 • Harsh winter for Washington’s men • Reading on Winter at Valley Forge

17. Alliance with France • 1778 • French Money, Soldiers, and naval power • Essential to American Victory

18. Spain Enters War • 1779 • General Bernardo de Galvez • Ship supplies • Defeated British at Baton Rouge • Made British divert troops

19. Siege of Charleston • May, 1780 • 6 week siege • Americans Surrendered

20. Benedict Arnold’s Treason • 1780 • Attempted to turn over Fort at West Point to the British • Message was intercepted

21. French and British battle in Chesapeake Bay • French blocked entrance at Chesapeake Bay

22. Siege of Yorktown/Cornwallis Surrenders • Oct 1781 • French fleet prevented British from rescuing Cornwallis • Surrounded on all sides at Yorktown and under bombardments • Cornwallis Surrenders

23. Treaty of Paris, 1783 • The Treaty of Paris in 1783 • acknowledged American independence • granted the new nation land from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River.

24. Influence of the American Revolution • Gave new hope to the oppressed in Europe and endangered the old system of monarchy and aristocracy • One of the Causes of the French Revolution • Inspired French revolutionaries • Helped to ensure that the British monarch was made a figurehead. • Persuaded the British to allow their remaining colonies more self government.

25. Cool Down • What struggles did the American Continental Army face?