War for Independence

1. War for Independence

2. 1st Continental Congress 1774 • Meets in Philadelphia • Why Philadelphia? • Purpose of the Continental Congress • To protect Colonial Rights against tyrannical Britain

3. First Shots • British troops are sent to confiscate Colonial guns and ammunition at Concord Mass. • Capture key members of the Sons of Liberty. Samuel Adams & John Hancock. • Paul Revere and William Dawes ride out to warn the minutemen. • “THE BRITISH ARE COMING!”

6. Battle of Lexington • 4/19/1775, 1st Shots of the American Revolution. • “Shot Heard Round the World” • Who fired first? • Who won?

7. Results of Lexington • 700 British “Redcoats” vs 70 Minutemen. • 8 Colonial men are killed • 0 British losses • Easy British victory • Redcoats press on toward Concord • Minutemen from local areas come to fight the British.

9. Battle of Concord • Minutemen use Guerrilla Tactics • Defeat the British at the North Bridge near Concord • British retreat back toward Boston • Approx 4000 Minutemen line the route back to Boston.

12. Results of the Battle of Concord • Casualties: • British 273 • Colonists 87 • Smashing Colonial Victory • Increases Colonial moral, increases confidence in the Rebellion. • Infuriates King George III

13. 2nd Continental Congress • May 1775 in Philadelphia • John Hancock is 2nd CC President • George Washington chosen as commanding general of Continental Army. • Olive Branch Petition • One last hope to restore harmony between Britain and the Colonies. • King George III rejects the Olive Branch Petition

16. Battle of Bunker Hill • Bloodiest Battle of the American Revolution. • 1000 British losses • 400 Colonial losses • 3 British frontal assaults are repulsed. • Colonists “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.” • Battle is actually fought on Breeds Hill.

18. Results of Bunker Hill • Proof Colonists can fight. • Confidence for Colonial troops. • Revenge of King George III.

19. British Strengths • Best Army & Navy in the World • Strong Central Government • Lots of Money

20. Colonial Strengths • The Cause of Independence • Leadership (later) of George Washington

21. Common Sense • Written by Thomas Paine • Explains in simple terms why the colonies should declare independence. • Very influential • Uncle Tom’s Cabin • The Jungle • Silent Spring

22. Declaration of Independence • 6/7/1776 Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia introduces the idea to dissolve all political bands with Great Britain. • John Adams of Mass is the driving engine behind independence.

23. Declaration Committee • Ben Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston

24. Author of Declaration • Thomas Jefferson • 2nd Youngest member of CC • Virginia • Slave owner • Outlawed Slavery in original Declaration.

25. Adoption of Declaration • All 13 Colonies must adopt. • Slavery Clause must be removed. • To insure Southern support • Adopted 7/4/1776

26. British Strategy • Abandon Boston • Attack New York City • Advance up the Hudson River • Cut off New England from the rest of the colonies • Why?

28. Battle of New York • British Victory • New York City Abandoned by Colonial Army • Devastating Defeat for Colonial Army • Question the Leadership of George Washington • Washington retreats across New Jersey & into Pennsylvania

30. German Mercenaries • Mercenary • Paid soldiers from a different country • British hire German Mercenaries • Hessians

31. Battle Of Trenton • Washington’s Crossing of the Delaware River • Attack Hessians at Trenton • River crossing begins at nightfall 12/25/1776, Christmas Night • Counting on the Element of Surprise. Hope for drunkenness.

34. Results Of Trenton • Morale for the Continental Army • Recruitment goes up! • Confidence in General Washington • Hessian Losses • 23 Dead • 92 Wounded • 913 Captured • Colonial Losses 0