1775-17811775-1781

Battles of the Revolutionary War

Lexington & Concord - April 19, 1775

Captain John Parker (P)Thomas Gage & Major Pitcairn

(B)British were after the colonists

supplies (weapons @ Concord).

They met the colonists at Lexington.

This was the first shot of the Rev. War. “Shot heard all around the

world!”

Fort Ticonderoga Fort Ticonderoga May 10, 1775May 10, 1775

Ethan Allen & Benedict Arnold (P) The fort was taken without a shot

fired.59 British cannons were captured and

were later used in Boston.

Bunker Hill (Breed’s Hill)Bunker Hill (Breed’s Hill)June 17, 1775June 17, 1775

Col. William Prescott (P)Gen. Thomas Gage & Maj. Gen.

William Howe (B)The British already failed two

times in capturing the hill.One the third time they

captured it.The Patriots ran out of

ammunition. “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.”

The British lose 1,000 men. Morale victory for Colonists –

believe in themselves, showed they could stand up to the British.

Common SenseCommon SenseJanuary 1776January 1776

Thomas Paine - Author126,000 copies sold First widely read

literature that openly pushed for independence from Britain.

Simply stated that it is common sense to break away from England.

Public opinion begins to swing to independence.

Declaration of Independence - July 4, Declaration of Independence - July 4, 17761776

Thomas Jefferson – wrote original draft and then presented it to Ben Franklin and John Adams who made revisions

Formal statement announcing our break with G.B. and new status as an independent nation.

Nation’s birth-date.New motivation in fighting the British.Act of Treason.

Long Island, NYLong Island, NYJuly - September 1776July - September 1776

George Washington (P)General Howe (B)32,000 British v. 19,000

Patriots.Colonists retreat into NJ then

into PA. British fail to pursue the

retreating colonists. Low point in the Revolution

for colonists.Washington almost loses his

army.

Trenton, NJTrenton, NJDecember 25, 1776December 25, 1776

George Washington (P)Colonel Rall (Hessians -> B)Washington plans surprise

crossing of Delaware River on Christmas night.

Hessians are partying on Christmas day.

Washington attacks drunken Hessians.

Washington saves army and gains much needed supplies.

Saratoga (Turning Point)Saratoga (Turning Point)September 19 - October 17, 1777September 19 - October 17, 1777

John Burgoyne (B) Benedict Arnold & Horatio

Gates (P)Burgoyne is defeated by

the Patriots who used guerilla warfare.

7,000 British surrender.Continental Army used

their strengths of knowing the land.

France enters the war due to this Patriot win.

Winter at Valley Forge Winter at Valley Forge Winter 1777-1778Winter 1777-1778

George Washington (P), Lafayette (France), Von Stueben (Prussian)

1,000 men die due to elements (no shoes, clothing, shelter etc.)

Soldiers are trained by Von Stueben

Spirits lifted by the spring

British could have attacked!

Treaty of Alliance is SignedTreaty of Alliance is SignedSpring 1778Spring 1778

Ben Franklin (P)Vergennes (Foreign

Minister)King Louis XVI France formally joins the

patriots and enters the war as an ally.

France’s support (money, weapons, navy etc.) now gives patriots the advantage.

Yorktown, VAYorktown, VASeptember - October 19, 1781September - October 19, 1781George Washington, Rochambeau

(P)Lord Cornwallis (B)British are trapped at the James

River.French Navy blocks the

Chesapeake Bay. Blocking the British from

leaving.8,000 British surrender.British decide they cannot win

and call it quits!Last major military engagement

of the war.

Treaty of ParisTreaty of ParisSeptember 3, 1783September 3, 1783

John Jay and Ben Franklin

A treaty is signed.Great Britain formally

recognizes the independence of America.

America receives all the territory gained between the Atlantic and the Mississippi River.