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The American Revolution. The First Civil War. From Tea to Revolution. Colonists reacted to the Townshed acts with the Boston Tea Party The British passed the “ Intolerable Acts ” in 1774 Closed the port of Boston Forbid Town Meetings Reduced the powers of Colonial Legislatures.
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The American Revolution The First Civil War
From Tea to Revolution • Colonists reacted to the Townshed acts with the Boston Tea Party • The British passed the “Intolerable Acts” in 1774 • Closed the port of Boston • Forbid Town Meetings • Reduced the powers of Colonial Legislatures
Colonial Efforts at Union • In the summer of 1774, twelve colonies sent representatives to Philadelphia to plan a response to British actions. (First Continental Congress) • After the start of the Revolution in 1775, the Second Continental Congress met and took charge of the war effort.
The Shot Heard ‘Round the World • The townspeople of Massachusetts had been gathering arms and training as “minutemen” • The Continental Congress had approved plans for a defensive war • British troops were sent to seize an illegal arms storage facility in Lexington and Concord.
Phase I: New England • At the beginning of the war, Britain only thought they were facing isolated incidents of rebellion rather than a full war. • The Battle at Bunker Hill (June 1775) • Though the British won, they faced huge casualties and the battle served as ammunition for the colonists. • By March the British are driven out of Boston
Decision for Independence • June of 1776- The Second Continental Congress forms a committee to draft a formal declaration of independence from Great Britain. • The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4th.
Phase 2: Mid-Atlantic Region • Britain sent the largest military force assembled to New York Harbor under General William Howe. • Washington faced Howe with only 19,000 poorly trained men.
The Turning Point of the War • The Battle of Saratoga (October 17th 1777) • Colonists had cut off supply lines for the British • British were down to 5,000 men and were forced to retreat and surrender at Saratoga • The victory led to an alliance between the US and France which helped to win the war.
Final Phase: The South • The British tried to enlist the support of loyalists • 1778-1781 The British moved throughout the South fighting small battles attempting to neutralize territory. • British secured a major victory in Savannah • French and American troops forced the surrender of 7,000 men at Yorktown.
