The Battle of Bunker Hill

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The Battle of Bunker Hill
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Directions

• Students will be split into groups of three.
• In this exercise you will be given the same
  information a British General used to make an
  important decision in the American Revolution.

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Directions

• Choose a team captain.
• 2. Read the scouting report and look at the map.
• 3. Pretend you are the British General and create
  a plan of action against the rebels.
• Explain how many troops you will use.
• Will you attack by land, sea or both?
• What areas will you attack first? Second?
• What route will you take?

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• Questions
• Why did the British plan a frontal attack?
• What effect did the presence of Sir William
  Howe, General Clinton, and General Borgoyne have
  on General Gages decision?
• 3. What would have happened if General Gage did
  not attack?

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The Battle of Bunker Hill

• Colonial militiamen were camped on Breeds Hill
  outside of Boston.
• General Gage sent British troops to attack
  colonists camped on Breeds Hill.
• In line formation, 2,400 British troops marched
  up Breeds Hill.
• Marching in a tight formation and slowed down by
  heavy gear troops were easy targets.

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The Battle of Bunker Hill

• WHEN June 17, 1775
• WHERE Breeds and Bunker Hill outside of
  Boston, Massachusetts.
• British suffered 1,000 casualties. This proved
  the overconfidence of British generals that
  doubted colonial strength.
• Although, the British won, it shook their
  confidence.

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The Battle of Bunker Hill
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The Second Continental Congress

• Delegates from the thirteen colonies met in May
  1775.
• Met in Philadelphia.
• Delegates met to discuss the break out of
  Revolution.

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The Second Continental Congress

• What were the differences in opinion at the
• 2nd Continental Congress?
• John Adams argued the colonies should declare
  independence from Great Britain and name a
  general to lead the militia as an army.
• Some wanted reconciliation with King George III
  and stop fighting.

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So what did the Continental Congress do?

• Recognized the militia in Boston as the
  Continental Army.
• Appointed George Washington as general of the
  Continental Army.
• Printed money to pay troops and organized a
  foreign affairs committee.
• Issued the Olive Branch Petition.

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Olive Branch Petition

• The 2nd Continental Congress sent this petition
  to King George III and urged for reconciliation
  (peace) between Britain and the colonies.
• How did King George III respond?
• He rejected the petition and declared the
  colonies were in rebellion. Set up naval blockade
  of American coast.