essential questions
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Essential Questions. Despite all the hardships in the early years of the American Revolution, how was Washington able to keep the army together? How effective was Washington as a military commander? What were his greatest achievements? What were his biggest mistakes?. Revolutionary War. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Essential Questions
• Despite all the hardships in the early years of the American Revolution, how was Washington able to keep the army together?
• How effective was Washington as a military commander? What were his greatest achievements? What were his biggest mistakes?
Revolutionary War
Ticonderoga, New York, Trenton, Saratoga
Fort Ticonderoga
• May 11, 1775• Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen• Force of 83 captured the fort and 48 British• Strategic importance: Guards Lake Champlain
the gateway to Canada• Americans captured 100 cannons and other
supplies
Boston• After Lexington and Concord the Colonists
besieged Boston with Washington becoming commander in June after Bunker Hill
• Siege lasts eleven months until March 17, 1776
• Henry Knox takes the artillery from Ticonderoga to Boston
• Set up on Dorchester Heights overlooking city and force the British to evacuate
American Crisis--Movie
Defeat in NYHessiansCharles LeeMolly PitcherAmerican POW’s
Trenton and Princeton
• Washington’s army crosses the Delaware on Christmas Night and attacks December 26.
• Hessians had been warned but ignored it• Washington captured 900 out of 1500 and
only lost 2• Washington’s first major success• Convinces many to reenlist for the following
year, boosts morale going into winter camp
Brandywine
September 11, 1777Washington tries to stop the British from
taking PhiladelphiaBritish send a portion of their army across
the creek into a frontal attack and send the rest on a 12 mile flanking march
Washington thinks he has taken the day but is sent reeling in retreat by the attack on his right flank
SaratogaGentleman Johnny Burgoyne attacks from
Canada hoping to meet up with the Howe’s and cut New England off from the rest of the colonies
Burgoyne gets surrounded and is forced to surrender in a series of battles culminating on October 7, 1777
British had 6,600 while the Americans had 11,400
Burgoyne surrenders his entire armyTurning point of the war, convinces France to
join
Valley Forge
British winter in Philadelphia forcing Washington to remain close
Continental Army winters in Valley ForgeLack of food, shelter, fuel, and clothing leaves
the men dangerously close to mutiny"We have this day no less than 2,873 men in
camp, unfit for duty because they are barefooted and otherwise naked."
Baron Von Steuben brings much needed discipline and training to the army
1778
February, US and France sign the French Alliance France Declares war on England Sends troops and supplies to the US Most of the French troops and Navy (in the US) are in
Rhode Island Battle of Monmouth Courthouse
British are returning to NY when the Continentals attack but it ends in a draw
British occupy Savannah December 29
1779
Spain declares war against England on June 21
September 23 John Paul Jones on the Bonhamme Richard captures a British Man of War
Several minor skirmishes in the Ohio River Valley and in the South
Tarleton reeks havoc in South Carolina but the militia give as good as they get
1780
British Capture Charleston on May 12August 16 General Cornwallis defeats
General Gates at the Battle of Camden General Gates resigns his post as commander of the
Southern Army Washington replaces Gates with Nathaniel Greene the
“Fighting Quaker”
1781
The states officially ratify the Articles of Confederations and now have an official form of government
January 17 Daniel Morgan defeats the British at the Battle of Cowpens
October 19 Cornwallis surrendered at the Battle of Yorktown