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The War for American Independence

The War for American Independence. 1775-1783. Battle of Lexington and Concord. April 19, 1775 General Gage sends troops to check out arsenals in Lexington, Mass Dr. Warren sends for Paul Revere Warning shots are fired to alert the town

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The War for American Independence

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  1. The War for American Independence 1775-1783

  2. Battle of Lexington and Concord • April 19, 1775 • General Gage sends troops to check out arsenals in Lexington, Mass • Dr. Warren sends for Paul Revere • Warning shots are fired to alert the town • Revere is stopped and questioned, but the element of surprise was lost and the militia was on its way to Concord

  3. British order Minutemen to leave – they refuse and shots ring out • Battle only lasts 15 minutes – British won…at first • As the British make their way back to Boston, minutemen hid in the trees and fired at them

  4. May 1775: Meeting of the Second Continental Congress • Which course of action to take? • John Adams view vs. John Dickinson view • What is decided • What does this infer about the American public based on the decisions made at the 2ndContinental Congress?

  5. June 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill • Breed’s Hill • Reason for attack • Summary of Battle

  6. July 1775: Olive Branch Petition Sent • Final attempt at a peaceful resolution • Terms of Petition • Response of King George III

  7. Fall/Winter 1775: A Call for “Common Sense” • Background • Content of Common Sense • Who is Thomas Paine? • What is his message? • Why a King is not necessary • Inherent evils of having a king

  8. July 1776: Declaration of Independence • One by one, the colonies declare their independence • Continental Congress asks each colony to form its own government in preparation for independence • Thomas Jefferson pens the document • Accepted to July 2nd, read on July 4th

  9. The Revolution

  10. The British Army The Colonists Attitudes Strategy Advantages • Attitude • Strategy • Advantages

  11. Choosing sides: For or Against? • Loyalists • Patriots • Quakers • Native Americans

  12. New York – Summer, 1776 • Howe & Howe (GB) led 30,000+ soldiers and mercenaries • Washington had 20,000 poorly trained and under equipped men • By Fall, Continental Army pushed across Delaware and troops dwindled to 8000 • Big What if? for American history

  13. Battle of Trenton – Christmas, 1776 • Washington led troops across DE River into PA • Attacked a group of Hessians guarding garrisons • Defeated Hessians who were drunk from holiday • Significance/Effects: • Many men re-enlisted

  14. Fall of Philadelphia – September, 1777 • Howe (GB) sailed south from NY in Spring • Washington failed to block redcoats at Brandywine Creek • Thus, allowing GB to secure Philadelphia

  15. Saratoga – October, 1777 • The Plan: • Burgoyne & Howe (GB) attempt to cut off New England from rest of colonies • The Problems: • Burgoyne continued to lose men in smaller fights with Americans • Burgoyne did not know Howe was in Philadelphia, and was not coming to meet him • The Result: • American Victory • Drastic change in GB war strategy – Keep troops near coast! • Turning point in War

  16. Saratoga – A Turning Point • Bolstered French supported • FR Recognized American independence • France refused to make peace with GB, until GB recognized American independence Surrender at Saratoga

  17. Because I lost a bet…The Leadership of Mad Anthony Wayne • Local boy – Paoli • Became a general in 1776 • Involvement in Battles • Paoli Massacre • Monmouth

  18. Valley Forge - Winter of 1777 – 1778 • More than 2000 men died from the conditions

  19. European Allies • Volunteers • Friedrich von Steuben • Prussian Captain • Taught field maneuvers, firing techniques • Marquis de Lafayette • French aristocrat • Lobby for French aid • Command army in Virginia Von Steuben drills Continental Army at Valley Forge Lafayette & Washington at Valley Forge

  20. War Heads South • After defeat @ Saratoga, British change strategy • Cornwallis (GB) • Sailed south to Charles Town, S.C w/ 8500 men • Easily defeated Americans • Why Charles Town? • Able to establish forts • Enjoyed much success in 1780 • BUT Cornwallis is moving into NC

  21. The Legend of Benedict Arnold • 1779 • 1780 • Why did he do it?

  22. Cornwallis crosses into N.C. - 1781 • Met with opposition, and forced to retreat • Grueling chase ensues between two armies • American Victories @ Kings Mt. & Cowpens • Unexpected! Were outnumbered!

  23. Surrender at Yorktown – October 1781 • Cornwallis makes camp • Poor strategic position • French supply 6000 additional troops • Surround British • French Naval force • 17,000 American & French troops • After 3 weeks, Cornwallis surrenders • October 1781 Surrender at Yorktown

  24. Treaty of Paris - 1783 • US, Great Britain, France, & Spain • Confirms US Independence • Treaty Provisions • US land: • Atlantic Ocean to Mississippi Rv. • British creditors could collect debts

  25. Egalitarianism • A belief in the equality of all people • Began to spread during the Revolution • Ironically applied to only white males

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