THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONThe Course of the War

Road to Revolution• After the 1st Continental Congress met in response to the

Intolerable Acts, Minutemen in Massachusetts began stockpiling weapons

• The British General Thomas Gage soon learned of these activities and ordered his troops to seize the weapons

• Colonists spying on the British troops saw that they were moving towards the colonial arsenal (Paul Revere)

• The British first went into Lexington, MA and were greeted by 70 Minuteman – shots rang out making Lexington the first battle of the Revolution

• “Shot heard round the world”

Road to Revolution• From Lexington, the British moved on to Concord where

another arsenal was located.• When they got there, the arsenal was empty so they

began their march back to Boston.• On their way back 3000 minutemen fired on them and

slaughtered the British soldiers.

Road to Revolution• Soon after Lexington and Concord, colonial leaders called

the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia• Purpose of the 2nd Continental Congress was to decide on

their next move.• At this meeting the decision was made to organize a

colonial militia and appoint George Washington its commander

• This decision was not an easy one however as the colonies were divided over what to do next and many hoped for peace

• 1/3 of the colonists were patriots (supported war) 1/3 were loyalists (loyal to Britain) and 1/3 were Neutral

Road to Revolution• Due to the colonists being torn over the issue of war with

Britain, the 2nd Continental Congress drafted the Olive Branch Petition and sent it to King George III

• The purpose of the Olive Branch Petition was to try to fix the relationship between the colonies and King George

• King George completely rejected the Olive Branch Petition• The King also issued a proclamation stating that the

colonies were in rebellion • Because of this rejection, the colonists moved forward

with the Revolution and on July 4, 1776 approved the Declaration of Independence – they would now have to fight for their independence

Military Strength and Weaknesses

• American Strengths• Defending home • Leadership of George

Washington• Fighting for a cause -

independence

• American Weaknesses:• Soldiers were untrained and

undisciplined• Shortage of food and

ammunition• No central government to

organize and pay for war

Military Strength and Weaknesses

• British Strengths• Strong, well trained army

and navy• Strong central

government with money• Support of colonial

loyalists and Native Americans

• British Weaknesses:• Long distance

separating Britain from battlefields

• Troops unfamiliar with terrain

The War – Major Victories• In 1777, the Continental Army surrounded the British army

at Saratoga, NY• The British general surrendered giving the Americans the

victory at Saratoga.• This was a key victory for the American colonists.• With this major victory, it convinced the French to enter

the war on the side of the Americans

The War – Major Victories• Yorktown was the last major battle of the war• American and French troops surrounded the British at

Yorktown, VA.• After a month of heavy bombardment, the British, under

the leadership of General Cornwallis, surrendered to the French and American troops

• With the surrender of the British at Yorktown, the colonists had won their independence from the British

• Many of the major battles of the war had been won without much bloodshed

• Because of this the Revolution is viewed more as a revolution based on ideals than bloodshed

Treaty of Paris• The Treaty of Paris is the official peace treaty that ended

the American Revolution• The Treaty of Paris confirmed the U.S. independence and

established the boundaries of the new nation.• The U.S. stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the

Mississippi River and from Canada to the border of Florida.