The American Revolution

Beginnings

Lexington and Concord: April, 1775On a small bridge outside the town of Concord,

Massachusetts, 300 minutemen stood in opposition to over 700 British Regulars (Redcoats).

A shot rang out that is known as"The shot heard round the world" WHO FIRED FIRST?

It was not so obvious in 1775 that Lexington and Concord meant that the American Colonies and Great Britain would soon be fighting a war. In May, 1775, delegates from the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to decide what to do.

Second Continental Congress

1. Setting up the Continental Army: The delegates chose George Washington to lead the Continental Army.Why did they choose him?:

2. Olive Branch Petition: The delegates also chose to try to fix things with Britain peacefully first, before resorting to war. The Olive Branch Petition:a. Declared loyalty to King George IIIb. Asked to have the Intolerable Acts repealed

The King's Response

Meanwhile... Ticonderoga:

Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys from Vermont led a surprise attack on Fort Ticonderoga near the southern part of Lake Champlain. They entered the fort at night and woke up the commanding officer ordering him to surrender. "Come out, you old rat!" he supposedly shouted. Ticonderoga provided the Americans 3 important things.1. Gunpowder2. Cannons3. Supplies

Bunker Hill (The First Major Battle of the

Revolution):1,200 American militia took up position on top of Bunker Hill overlooking Boston Harbor. They actually moved to Breed's Hill, which was a better spot and where the actual battle took place. The British general, William Howe, sent 2,400 redcoats to march up the hill to capture it from the AmericansFolk lore has it that Colonel William Prescott told the militia, "Don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes!" The Americans did need to conserve gunpowder, because they did not have much left. It took the British three attempts to push up over the top of the hill to drive the Americans off. It cost the British over 1,000 dead and wounded soldiers, and the Americans lost around 400.

Washington Arrives at Boston

A few weeks after the Battle of Bunker Hill, Washington arrived with 16,000 troops. He faced many challenges while attempting to turn those volunteers and recruits into a functioning army.

Why was it difficult to get the soldiers to cooperate and follow

orders?

Help Arrives from Ethan AllenIn January, 1776, cannons and supplies

arrived from Fort Ticonderoga that the Green Mountain boys had captured and dragged all the way to Boston. Washington positioned the cannons overlooking the city of Boston. General Howe had little choice but to withdraw from the city. The British left and sailed for Halifax, Canada. However, the British were not quitting, just regrouping. They set up a blockade of all colonial ports and hired Hessian mercenaries from Germany.What is a

mercenary?

How the Sides Match UpBritish Americans

Strengths

·highly trained·best navy in the world ·skilled generals·blockade

·many owned rifles·fighting to defend homes and property·George Washington

Weaknesses

·3,000 miles from home·news and supplies travel slowly ·on the attack, not defending

·poorly organized·untrained·little gunpowder·few cannons·no navy ·little money