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Say You Want a Revolution. Lexington and Concord. 4/19/1775 Location very important Extremely isolated, one way in and out British come in strong, army too big After initial hit, Americans able to gather selves and fight. Second Continental Congress. May 1775
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Lexington and Concord • 4/19/1775 • Location very important • Extremely isolated, one way in and out • British come in strong, army too big • After initial hit, Americans able to gather selves and fight
Second Continental Congress • May 1775 • Important decisions to be made • Anxiety felt regarding direction to take • Intentions? • Olive Branch extended, seeking some sort of peace • Also, putting together Continental Army • Mixed messages rejected
British Strengths • Large, skilled army • Sworn allegiance to king for life • Hessians • Loyalists • Two camps: fear of inexperienced radicals, just loyal to the crown • Native American support • Less of two evils • British Royal Navy
British Weaknesses • Unpopular in England, little support from citizens • Not on own territory • Still engaged with French elsewhere • Loss of support with American loyalists
American Strengths • Strong leaders • Washington elected Commander in Chief June 1775 • Franklin liaison to France, kept positive relations going • Familiar with terrain • Skilled in guerrilla style fighting • Believed in the cause
American Weaknesses • Lack of organization • No centralized government • Colonies struggle with support and respect • Money!
Treaty of Paris • British success early on • Battle of Saratoga, 1777, turning point for Americans • British exhausted financially and militarily • Treaty of Paris 1783