The American Revolution

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The American Revolution
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Class Objectives

• Compare the advantages and disadvantages of the
  Continental Army and the British Army.
• Compare the 3 different sides during the
  Revolution and the aspects of each
• Define the major battles including the turning
  point and final battle of the war.
• Explain the major events that ended the
  Revolution.

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British Advantages ? in the War

1. Well-trained army and biggest navy in the world.
2. Strong government with lots of
3. Support of Loyalists and Native Americans

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British Disadvantages ?

1. Far from home had to get men and supplies
   across an ocean
2. Troops unfamiliar with the land
3. Weak military leaders and old style of fighting
4. Lack of support in Britain for a long, expensive
   war

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American Advantages ?

1. Home-field advantage familiar with the land
2. Strong leader in George Washington
3. Guerilla warfare tactics
4. Inspired by the fight for independence
5. Help from France and other European nations

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American Disadvantages ?

1. Untrained soldiers, fewer people
2. Shortage of food, money, ammunition and supplies
3. Small, weak navy
4. No central government to enforce wartime policies

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What do you think?

• Based on their advantages and disadvantages,
  which side do YOU think should win, and why?
• Write a clear thesis statement to answer this
  question. (One sentence!)

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Loyalists vs. Patriots

• Loyalists (Tories)
• American Colonists who remained loyal to the
  British during the war.
• OK for Britain to tax the colonies due to the
  protection they received during the French and
  Indian War.
• Felt strong social and economic ties to Britain
  and believed the British would win the war.
• About a third of the colonists remained loyalists
  throughout the war.

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Loyalists vs. Patriots

• Patriots
• Desired complete and total independence from
  Britain
• Motto based from the quote of Patrick Henry Give
  Me Liberty or Give Me Death
• Inspired by Common Sense by Thomas Paine
• Made up the troops in Washingtons Continental
  Army and third of the colonial population.

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Neutrals

• Neutrals
• Were undecided on the war.
• Many disagreed with British policies but did not
  want to declare independence
• Made up a third of the population.

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Activity

• Read each colonist profile. With your group,
  decide whether you think that colonist would be a
  Loyalist, a Patriot, or Neutral. Explain your
  reasoning.

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George Washington

• Kept his army intact during the war and never
  allowed a major loss at the hands of the British.
• Secured major victories at Trenton, Monmouth and
  later Yorktown.
• Wintered his army at Valley Forge, providing time
  for the Americans to regroup and train.
• His leadership was one of the main reasons why
  the Americans were victorious in the war.

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Franklin and Adams

• Ben Franklin and John Adams in addition to the
  their efforts in the Continental Congress made
  numerous trips to Europe to gain support for the
  American cause from France and other nations.

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First Shots at Lexington and Concord

• In 1775, British troops march to Concord to seize
  a stockpile of weapons and arrest John Adams and
  John Hancock.
• Paul Revere rode quickly from Boston to alert the
  two men and to warn the Massachusetts militia men
  in Lexington and Concord to be ready for the
  British.
• American minute-men intercepted British forces
  at both Lexington and Concord and fire the first
  shots of the Revolutionary War. The British
  retreat to Boston.

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Battle of Bunker Hill (1775)

• After Lexington and Concord, the British Army was
  pinned down by Boston Harbor by the Continentals
• Britains General Gage decided to attack
  militiamen at Breeds Hill (Bunker Hill) who had
  dug in north of Boston.
• The British advanced uphill several times in
  straight lines to attack the militiamen.
• This frontal assault cost the British over 1000
  troops. The colonists won the battle, losing
  only 450.

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The Second Continental Congress

• Actions of the 2nd Continental Congress,
  Philadelphia 1775
• Sent the King George III The Olive Branch
  Petition -- a letter asking for peace
• Named George Washington Commander of the
  Continental Army
• 3. Drafted and signed the Declaration of
  Independence on July 4th, 1776. (Thomas Jefferson)

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Battle of New York (1776)

• Who Fought
• Continental Army vs. British Regulars
• Leaders Present
• General George Washington and General William
  Howe
• Significance
• The British routed the Americans in Long Island.
  Washington's numbered dropped to only 8,000 men

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Battle of Trenton (1776)

• Who Fought
• Continental Army vs. Germen Hessians
• Leaders Present
• George Washington
• Significance
• With Washingtons army in disarray, papers about
  to expire, he needed a major victory. On
  Christmas Eve Washington attacked Hessians in
  Trenton for a major victory.

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Battle of Philadelphia (1777)

• Who Fought
• British Regulars, Continental Army
• Leaders
• William Howe, George Washington, Nathanial
  Greene, John Sullivan
• Significance
• The British victory in this battle ensured that
  Philadelphia, the capital of the self-proclaimed
  United States, would remain in British hands
  throughout the winter of 17771778

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Battle of Saratoga (1777)

• Who Fought
• British Regulars, Mohawk Indians, Continental
  Army, Green Mountain Boys
• Leaders
• John Burgoyne, Horatio Gates
• Significance
• Generally regarded as a turning point in the war.
  This victory convinced France to enter the war as
  an American ally. France formally recognized
  the United States of America as a country.

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The End of the Revolution

• After over three more years of fighting, and with
  French assistance, Washington and the Continental
  Army are able to trap General Cornwallis at
  Yorktown in 1781.
• After a month siege, the British army
  surrendered.
• The Treaty of Paris 1783 officially ended the war
  and gave America its independence.

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Next Class

• Homework Prepare for Notebook Check, Winning the
  War Handout
• Thursday/Friday Review for Test
• TEST on Mon (A)/Tues (B) Oct 7-8