The Revolutionary War

1. The Revolutionary War The War for Independence

2. Timeline • 1776 – Declaration of Independence • 1776 – Washington’s troops cross the Delaware and win at Trenton • 1777 – Victory at Saratoga – this convinced the French to help the colonists • 1778 – winter at Valley Forge – Americans came away with more training, food, and uniforms • 1781 – Victory at Yorktown – last major battle; British surrendered • 1783 – Treaty of Paris – Americans gained independence and land

3. Written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776 Edited by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams Listed complaints against King George Explained what many Americans believed about their rights Stated that a government should protect these rights. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness…” Declaration of Independence

4. What does this phrase mean? Governments derive their power from the consent of the governed. Governments get their powers from the people who created them. If the government stops protecting the rights of the people, the people have the right to change or replace the government.

5. Date:September 19th - October 17th, 1777 Location:Freeman's Farm outside Saratoga, New York Bemis Heights outside Saratoga, New York American Casualties:800 Wounded, Captured or Missing British Casualties:1600 Killed, Wounded, or Missing, 6,000 Captured American Leaders:Gen. Horatio Gates British Leaders:Gen. John Burgoyne This battle was an important turning point in the war. After this victory, the French were convinced the Americans could win, and sent them money, soldiers, and a powerful navy. Why would France and other countries be interested in whether or not the colonies could defeat Great Britain? The Battle of Saratoga

6. Date:  October 9-17, 1781Location:  Yorktown, Virginia American Casualties:  369 British Casualties: 387 American Leader: General Washington British Leader: General Cornwallis Lt. General Charles Cornwallis attempted to hold out for reinforcements from Lt. General Henry Clinton, but by October 19, the British could not withstand anymore. They were blocked by the French from the sea and had run low on food and supplies. Cornwallis sent word of surrender. After some negotiations, the surrender papers were signed on October 20. That afternoon the British marched out of the fort. The last major battle of the war Battle of Yorktown

7. Treaty of Paris The Treaty of Paris was signed by U.S. and British Representatives on September 3, 1783, ending the War of the American Revolution. Based on a1782 preliminary treaty, the agreement recognized U.S. independence and granted the U.S. significant western territory. The 1783 Treaty was one of a series of treaties signed at Paris in 1783 that also established peace between Great Britain and the allied nations of France, Spain, and the Netherlands. The British government wanted to seek peace, but hoped to avoid recognizing U.S. independence. However, the war had been expensive, and Britain faced a tough alliance, fighting the combined forces of France, Spain, and the Netherlands, in addition to the rebellious colonists. Spain received Florida, which it had lost in the Seven Years' War. Spanish, French, British, and American representatives signed a provisional peace treaty on January 20, 1783, proclaiming an end to hostilities. The formal agreement was signed at Paris on September 3, 1783.

8. Thomas Jefferson Thomas Paine Patrick Henry Molly Pitcher John Adams Phillis Wheatley Benedict Arnold Benjamin Franklin Slave who wrote poetry in praise of General Washington Nickname given to Mary Ludwig Hayes, and women who came after her, who assisted soldiers during battle Patriot who wrote the pamphlet Common Sense, which encouraged many people to support the Patriots Editor of Declaration of Independence; asked France to help the colonies Virginia Burgess & Son of Liberty who made speeches in support of the Patriots Editor of Declaration of Independence; Second President General in the Continental Army who later became a traitor Author of the Declaration of Independence Important People

9. Loyalist Patriot Strategy Treason Declaration Inflation Mercenary Retreat Surrender Independence Rights Freedoms that are protected by a government’s laws. To give up A soldier who is paid to fight for a foreign country A statement that announces an idea A plan of action A person who did not think the colonies should seek independence A person who believed the colonies should seek independence The crime of fighting against your own government A rise in the prices of goods To move away from the enemy Freedom from being ruled by someone else Important Vocabulary

10. American Strengths of the British and American Armies British Had knowledge of the land Fighting on own land, to protect families and homes Learned from Native Americans how to fight Strategy in the South: exhaust the British army by moving their small army faster than the British, causing the British to chase them; lost many battles at first, but then began winning Better training Better weapons Larger, stronger army Strong Navy Strategy in the South: invade with a small army, getting support from the southern Loyalists; won at first, but then began losing

11. Give me liberty, or give me death. I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country. We fight, get beat, rise and fight again. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal… Nathanael Greene, describing his strategy to wear out the British. Patrick Henry, in a famous speech encouraging people to support independence Patriot Captain Nathan Hale’s final words Thomas Jefferson, in the Declaration of Independence Who said this?