The Battle of Bunker Hill

1
The Battle of Bunker Hill

• And the Rise of George Washington

2
The Second Continental Congress

• May 1775
• 12 Colonies send representatives
• Met in Philadelphia
• Create Continental Army
• Select George Washington as Commander
• Begins to gather and train troops
• Olive Branch Petition
• Peace Request sent to King George III
• He ignores request

3
Fort Ticonderoga

• May 10, 1775 In Northern New York
• Fort Guards Lake Champlain
• 400 Colonials prepare to take Ticonderoga
• Strategically Placed
• Rich in Military Supplies
• Ethan Allen the Green Mountain Boys
• Benedict Arnold (Remember this name)
• Allen Arnold catch the British by surprise and
  take over the fort

4
Building Forces

• After Lexington and Concord
• Committee of Correspondence sends out call for
  volunteers to join the militias
• Colonial Militia grows to 20,000 strong
• Both sides wait to see who will make the first
  move

5
Preparing for Battle

• British planning to attack Charlestown
• June 16, 1775
• Colonel William Prescott the Colonial Militia
• Built up Fortifications at Bunker and Breeds
  Hill
• The British were surprised to see the Colonial
  forces already on the hills
• British still decide to capture the colonists
  position

6
The Battle of Bunker Hill

• Colonial Forces were well protected
• Unfortunately, they were very low on gun powder
• Colonel William Prescott
• Dont Fire Until You See The Whites Of Their
  Eyes

7
Bunker Hill???

• The battle actually occurred on Breeds Hill
• Confused in the night
• The outnumbered colonists turned back two
  assaults by the British
• By the third attack, the Colonists had no
  gunpowder or ammunition
• The colonists were forced to retreat

8
A Major Loss

• Dr. Joseph Warren is killed
• You may judge what the herd must be like when
  such a one is their leader.
• British Loyalist

9
British Victory!Or Was It?

• The British did win the Battle of Bunker Hill
• British Losses 1000
• Colonial Losses 400
• Outcome
• British Win the Battle
• But the Colonists British learn a very valuable
  lesson

10
Lessons Learned

• A dear bought victory, another such would have
  ruined us.
• British Officer
• The War would not be quickly won by the British
• The American could Hold Their Own
• Even a weaker army can win if they are fighting
  for a noble cause they believe in

11
General Washington Arrives

• The newly appointed General arrives in Boston
• Takes control of the Colonial Forces
• Commands Henry Knox to bring weapons from Ft.
  Ticonderoga to Boston
• Aim cannons at British in Boston
• British retreat from Boston
• Colonials once again control The Birthplace of
  the Rebellion

12
William Howe

• The rebels have done more in one night than my
  whole army could do in months!

13
Choosing Sides

• Colonists had to make an important decision
• Should they join the rebels or remain loyal to
  Britain?
• Loyalists those who stayed with Britain did not
  consider unfair taxes a good reason to rebel
• Patriots were determined to fight the British
  to the enduntil the American Independence was won