U.S. History- American Revolution

1. The War for Independence
1775-1783

2. King George III
King of England during the American Revolution. He wanted to punish the
colonists rather than seek a peaceful solution to the problem.
King George III is often known as the "King who lost the colonies."
Up to the day King George III died, he refused to acknowledge
American independence and continued to refer to Americans as
“Those Colonists.”
George III's Madness- Ready Steady Feast [Horrible Histories]
George III's Madness- His Doctors [Horrible Histories]

3. Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys captured fort along with its
cannons and gunpowder.
Fort Ticonderoga (Upstate New York)

4. Taking Sides
The Colonists Were Divided.
A. Supporters of independence.
1. 1/3 population.
B. Loyalists or Tories
1. Pro British
2. 1/3 population.
C. Individuals that didn't care.
a. 1/3 population.
History Fun Fact:
During the American Revolution, more inhabitants of the American colonies fought for the British
than for the Continental Army.
Patriot
Neutral
Loyalist

5. African Americans in the American Revolution
African Americans favored both sides in the American Revolution, however
more favored the British side hoping to assist the British in return for freedom.
Whites in the colonies feared the possibility of slave revolts, especially in the
South, where slaves often outnumbered the white population.
Black Soldiers Video & British Slave Troops Video
In 1775, Lord Dunmore, the Governor of Virginia, issued
a proclamation in which he offered to free any slave who
would leave their patriot masters to join the British
forces. Because of this proclamation, the Colonial Second
Continental Congress, in 1776, modified an earlier policy
that prohibited enlistment of blacks in the Continental
Army.

6. Loyalists
Colonists who remained loyal to the Crown were called Loyalists, or
Tories. Often times, loyalists were upper class citizens who lived in cities
instead of the country. Loyalists were nonviolent in their approach, much
less so than their patriot brothers. These colonists were often mocked and
insulted by their peers.
Reasons to remain loyal:
•Wanting to keep their wealth
•Having family members in England
•Having a job in the government
•Believing England was justified
Southern Loyalists Video

7. Tories
Colonists who fought on the side of the British during the American Revolution.

8. Patriots
The Patriots of the American Revolution were colonists who wanted
independence from England. These patriots weren't rich or high end citizens,
but the middle/lower class of the colony. Many patriots lived in rural areas,
and had more labor intensive jobs, such as fishing and farming. These men
and women felt that the British had wronged them, and wanted to be free
from the Crown. They were willing to resort to violent means if necessary.
Tomahawk Scene
[The Patriot]

9. The Opposing Sides
British Advantages:
1. Outnumbered the Americans 11 million to 2.5 million.
2. Possessed the world's largest navy.
3. One of the world's best professional armies.
British Disadvantages:
1. Had to Recruit Foreigners to Help Fight.
a. American loyalists or Tories (21,000)
b. Hessian (German) mercenaries (30,000)
c. Indians (Sided with the British against the westward
moving, land- hungry Americans.
2. Could not maintain the 3,000-mile supply line.
3. Able to capture cities, but not completely defeat
Washington’s Army.
4. Lacked the support from home.
a. Many British citizens were against the war.

10. American Advantages:
1. Knew the terrain.
2. Did not have to beat the British, just resist long
enough for the British to tire and quit.
American Disadvantages:
1. 1/3 of population supported the war.
2. Lacked experienced officers.
3. No money, depended on donations or stole supplies.
4. In the beginning, the army was an untrained mob.
The Opposing Sides
History Fun Fact:
The song, "Yankee Doodle" was originally sung by British Soldiers to insult
the colonialists (which was typical of the British in those days). The
Continental Army took to singing it to annoy the British (which was typical of
the colonialists).

11. Continental Army
Official name given to the colonial forces during the American Revolution.

12. "Don't shoot till you see the
whites of their eyes."
Captain Prescott.
Colonial Defenses on Bunker's Hill
The colonial militia set up cannons north of Boston on Bunker Hill
[Actually on Breed’s Hill,] which overlooked Boston Harbor.
The colonial militia would then able to bombard the British fleet in Boston
Harbor.
British generals Howe and Gage didn’t like the situation and ordered an
immediate assault to capture Bunker Hill.

13. Bunker Hill: Map
17 June 1775

14. Battle of Bunker Hill
In June 1775, British troops launched a series of attacks against two hills
occupied by American forces outside of Boston.
The British eventually won the battle but suffered far greater casualties than
the Americans.
Battle of Bunker Hill was actually
fought on nearby Breed’s hill.
It took the British three charges to
finally capture the hill, but only after
the Colonists ran out of ammunition.
Battle of Bunker Hill Results:
_________________
Americans
1,500 Engaged
452 Loss
_________________
British
4,000 Engaged
1,054 Loss
The British lost 1/4 of their army to capture Bunker Hill. It was a sign
indicating that this war would become a drawn out and costly.

15. George Washington
Commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

16. British Capture New York 1776
The summer 1776 was a disaster for Washington in New York. The British
under General Howe landed 30,000 soldiers on Long Island and quickly
captured New York City, an important seaport.
After three months of fighting, the Continental Army was reduced from
19,000 to 3,500 soldiers.
Desertion was rampant among the Continental
army during the Long Island Campaign that
Washington issued an order to hang or shoot all
deserters to prevent a total collapse of the army.
General Howe was confident after defeating
Washington that he boosted total victory and forecast
an end to the war.

17. Thomas Paine wrote in the American Crisis, “ These are the times that try
men’s souls.”
HISTORY FUN FACT:
During the Battle for New York in 1776,
the British captured a young colonist
carrying orders for General Washington.
Because he was wearing civilian clothes,
the British hanged Nathan hale as a spy.
Nathan Hale's body was left hanging for
several days on the post road near the site
of his execution and later was buried in
an unmarked grave. He was 21 years old.
"I only regret that I have but one life to lose
for my country."
Nathan Hale, American patriot.
Last words before he was hanged by
the British as a spy.
An American Crisis

18. John Locke
John Locke
John Locke was a British political philosopher who challenged the old view
that monarchs possess a God-given right to rule with citizens obligated to
obey. He believed that people were born with certain "natural rights," that
no government could morally take away.
John Locke’s political philosophy deeply influenced Thomas Jefferson’s
writing of the Declaration of Independence.

19. John Hancock
President of the Second Continental Congress. Famous for his large
signature on the Declaration of Independence.
John Hancock, the President of the Second Continental Congress. He is renown (famous) for being the first person to sign
the Declaration of Independence with his name in LARGE letters. He said he didn’t want King George III to miss his name
when they sent it to England. Today if someone asks you for your John Hancock they are asking you for your signature or
autograph.

20. The Virginia proposal for independence was accepted by colonists and signed on
July 4, 1776. No longer separate English colonies... but The United Colonies of
America.
July 4, 1776: Independence at Last
History Fun Fact:
In the Declaration of Independence as first written by Thomas Jefferson, there was a clause abolishing slavery.
Because of pressure from the southern colonies Jefferson was forced to delete the clause.
1776- Slavery video 1776- The Egg Video 1776- The Vote Video

21. Crossing the Delaware (Christmas Night, 1776)
Washington and 2,500 men crossed the Delaware River on Christmas
Night and attacked the German (Hessian) troops at Trenton, N.J. the
next morning.

22. Hessians
Germans hired to fight for the British.

23. Battle of Trenton (Dec 26, 1776)
A bold move taken by Washington's army on Christmas night 1776 which
allowed them to surprise the Hessians at Trenton, New Jersey and
captured all their food and supplies. Huge victory for George Washington.
Battle of Trenton [Scene from the Crossing]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF-Y7s_YIAU

24. The objective was to capture and control the Hudson River and New York
State from Albany to New Jersey. Three British armies involved in the
operation would split the New England colonies from the rest of the other
rebelling colonies. Once this was accomplished the British could restore
order in the colonies by concentrating on one area at a time. The Albany
Plan failed because the three British armies failed to meet at the right time.
Albany Plan of 1777 (Summer 1777)
General Burgoyne:
From Canada south to
Albany
General Howe:
From New York City to
Albany
General St. Leger:
From Canada to west, then
east to Albany.

25. The Albany Plan: What Was Suppose to Happen

26. Saratoga
This U.S. victory in 1777 was the ‘turning point” of the American Revolution.
It was especially important because it convinced the French that the U.S. could
win.
Benedict Arnold defeated the
British at Saratoga. His last major
victory before becoming a traitor.

27. British Defeat at Saratoga
The Albany Plan failed because the three British armies failed to meet at the
right time.
• Howe disobeyed his orders and decided to capture Philadelphia.
• St. Legar and his Indian allies were stopped at Oriskany (western New
York)
• Only Burgoyne arrived, but was defeated by Benedict Arnold.

28. Benjamin Franklin
The Continental Congress sent him to Paris to try to convince the French
to form an open alliance with the US.

29. I. France, Spain, and Holland come to the American aid.
A. Ben Franklin became the U.S. ambassador to France.
1. France sent money, troops, and ships to America.
2. Spain and Holland also join the American alliance.
a. Both countries wanted to hurt their old enemy- England.
3. The American Revolution became a World War.
France Spain Netherlands
We’re Not Alone Anymore…
Benjamin Franklin
News of France’s assistance
quickly reached American
colonists.

30. U.S. and French Alliance
France promised money, troops, and the support of the French navy.

31. Valley Forge (Winter of 1777-1778)
Washington spent the summer and fall 1777 fighting a series of cat and mouse
with the British before retreating to a winter camp in Pennsylvania.
Valley Forge was where Washington's army endured a harsh winter of 1777-
1778.
It proved to be a very difficult time for Continental army as the troops had
little food or proper shelter. As many as 3,000 of the 11,000 troops died of
starvation and disease.

32. Baron Friedrich Von Steuben
Prussian who trained the Continental army at Valley Forge.
However, Valley Forge also ended up being valuable time of training that left the Continental Army better
prepared to meet the British in battles to come once the warm weather returned.
Valley Forge [Story of US]

33. I. America decided to take the war to sea.
A. The legend of John Paul Jones.
1. Father of the United States Navy.
B. We did better fighting at sea than we did on land.
C. The Colonies employed Privateers to help fight the British navy.
1. Private citizens with ships the attacked British ships in exchange for a
share of the spoils.
a. Rewards of up to 50-75% of what was taken.
John Paul Jones:
The Father of the United States Navy.
Victory at Sea

34. Lord Cornwallis
British commander who fought the American army in the Carolinas and
surrendered to Washington at Yorktown.

35. I. The British Southern Campaign.
A. The war spread to the Southern Colonies.
1. British hoped to split the southern
colonies away from the rest of the nation.
a. Southerners hadn't been as hostile as the New England colonies.
b. British hoped the Tories would help out.
War in the Southern Colonies (1778-1780)
Banastre Tarleton as
portrayed in the “Patriot”
HISTORY FUN FACT:
BANASTRE TARLETON: Led the British cavalry during
the war. Infamous for murdering Colonial soldiers who
surrendered and for conducting harsh acts against
civilians. He is portrayed in the film “The Patriot.”
However, the real Tarleton fled to England after the war
and lived out his remaining years disgraced.
The Real Banastre TarletonChurch Burning [Scene from the Patriot]

36. Marquis de Lafayette (1757–1834)
A French soldier and politician who helped the Americans during the American
Revolution and fought at the Battle of Yorktown. He also persuaded the French
king Louis XVI to send more soldiers to America to fight the British.
Towns and cities are named after Marquis de Lafayette in several states, including Indiana,
Louisiana, and Alabama. He was made an honorary citizen of the US by George W Bush in 2002.

37. War in the Southern Colonies:
1778-1783

38. Cornwallis decided to retreat to Yorktown to await supplies from sea.
A large army under the command of Washington (American) and
Lafayette (French) surrounded Cornwallis (British) at Yorktown.
The French navy prevented Cornwallis' escape to sea and all badly needed
supplies from reaching his demoralized army.
Yorktown Campaign
Despite Lord Cornwallis’s surrender at
Yorktown, the war would last another two
uneventful years.
His wife died during the siege at Yorktown,
only adding to his gloom and despair.

39. Yorktown
On October 19, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered to Washington at Yorktown.
Yorktown Video
Did You Know? When the British surrendered after the Battle of Yorktown, a band played “Yankee
Doodle,” a melody that may have begun in southern Europe in the Middle Ages. The words of “Yankee
Doodle” were written by an English army surgeon. The words were meant to make fun of the
inexperienced and poorly trained American troops during the French and Indian War. The American
troops, however, liked the song so much that it was sung by American troops during the Revolutionary
War.

40. Treaty of Paris (1783)
Treaty ending the American Revolution.
Great Britain officially recognized the independence of the United States.

41. Treaty of 1783: Map