This document provides an overview of key events in the early American Revolutionary War: 1) The war began with battles at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts in 1775 as British troops confronted American militias. 2) George Washington then took command of the colonial forces and organized them into the Continental Army to begin the siege of Boston. 3) Several early battles resulted in losses for the Americans, including the Battle of Bunker Hill, but they were able to force the British to evacuate Boston in 1776.

1. Lesson 3 Bellringer
What were the four major ideas of
the American Enlightenment and
what do they mean?

2. John Locke
• Evidence of ideals? Americanism?
• Which was easier to read, Paine or Locke?
• Jot down what you know about battles in the
American Revolution

3. Lexington and Concord
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiIFRCk1hxY

4. “Shot Heard Round the World”
• War starts at Lexington
• American colonists lacked a professional
military, therefore relied on a militia of
volunteers
– Military composed of civilians
– Little training or equipment
– Each colony contributed a militia
– Facing best in the world

6. War Starts
• Began in Massachusetts (Boston had been a
center of revolutionary activity)
– Massachusetts Government Act
– Lexington and Concord
– Paul Revere
• After the first shots, British troops moved
from Lexington to Concord
– British began to retreat back to Boston
– Minutemen attacked British along the road

7. War
• American militia surround the British at
Boston
– Siege of Boston; April 19, 1775- March 17, 1776
– British respond by sending troops
• Battle of Bunker Hill
– British launched three attacks
– Gained land, but number of causalities for British
– Colonist retreated

9. George Washington
• Following the American defeat at Bunker Hill,
Washington takes control of colonial forces
and organizes Continental Army
– Created by Congress
– Supplemented by local militias

10. Washington’s Troops
• Washington arrives at Boston to take charge of
the troops in July 1775
• Other troops of militia, led by Ethan Allen and
Benedict Arnold, invade Canada three weeks
after Siege of Boston
– Fear of British attack from the north
– Hoped to drive British troops out of Quebec
– Americans did not take Quebec

11. War Continues
• After Siege of Boston, British General Howe
focuses on capturing New York (August 1776)
– Washington sent 20,000 American troops to
shores of New York
– British drove American troops out and secured
victory in the largest battle of the American
Revolutionary War
• Washington retreated with his men without serious
losses

12. British control of New York
• British troops set up in Manhattan
• Set up “prison ships” along the shores
– Ships held POW’s
– More Americans died as British prisoners than
died in the battles

13. War Continues
• British troops continued to follow Washington
and his troops until the Americans crossed the
Delaware in early December 1776
– Outlook was bleak for Americans
– Numbers dwindled