The document summarizes key events in the American Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783, including: 1) By 1775, the colonies were divided in their loyalty to Britain, with fighting already breaking out around Boston. The Second Continental Congress took on a governing role and named George Washington commander-in-chief. 2) Early battles involved defending Boston from British siege and resulted in high casualties for both sides. The arrival of cannon from Fort Ticonderoga helped force the British evacuation of Boston in 1776. 3) After initial setbacks, Washington's surprise attack on Hessian forces in Trenton on Christmas 1776 boosted rebel morale. Independence was formally declared later that year. 4)

1. T American Revolutionary
he
W
ar

2. By May of 1775 ...
• A state of war exists between England and
her American Colonies
• colonists loyalties are divided:
• 1/3 are ready to break with England
completely
• 1/3 despite misgivings, want to remain loyal
• 1/3 are not sure what to do
• Boston is under siege

3. • the Mecklenburg Declaration declares the Provincial
Congress as the only lawful government in NC
• The 2nd Congress convenes in Philadelphia, PA
• functions as de facto government of the colonies
• mints Continental currency and borrows to fund the
war
• names militia in and around Boston as the Continental
Army and names George Washington Commanding
General
• sends delegates to France and other European nations
to enlist help
• debates independence - not easy to decide to commit
treason

4. Patriot Voices
• “ Gentlemen, we must hang
together, or we will most
assuredly hang separately.”
--Benjamin Franklin
• “ I know not what course others
may take, but as for me, give
me liberty, or give me death!”
-- Patrick Henry

5. Battles for Boston
• City is blockaded by
the Royal Navy
• conditions in the city
are getting worse
• British attack militia
positions for key
high ground

6. Bunker Hill [first real test]
• British charge Patriot positions on Breed’s Hill
• running low on ammo, rebel commander tells his
troops, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their
eyes!”

7. • British regulars
charge the hill 3X
before taking it.
• Patriots fall back to
Bunker Hill
• High ground still
held by Patriots
• but they need more
ammo and
ARTILLERY

8. • Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold
capture Ft. Ticonderoga …
• and it’s cannon!
• Gen. Knox gets them 300 miles to Boston
- over hills and mountains in the winter.

9. • With cannon in place, Boston becomes
untenable - British evacuate the city

11. The War expands
• Washington chased
out of New York and
New Jersey
• Enlistments will be
up by year’s end, and
it’s nearly Christmas
• Thomas Paine’s
Common Sense
convinces many to
stay
• what’s needed is a W

12. Washington’s Genius
• Christmas Eve Washington sets up the
Hessians across the river
• crosses at night, bursts
into town unexpected
• troops a bit groggy from
celebrating night before
• quickly routed, Gen. Rahl
is mortally wounded and
surrenders
• more magic at Princeton a
few days later
• fire and maneuver
• army decides to stay

13. Meanwhile, back in Philadelphia. . .
• The 2nd Continental Congress tries to manage both
a war and a de facto country.
• Pattern of borrowing money and printing more
leads to dangerous inflation and devaluation.
• Supplies and logistics a continual problem
• In France, Benjamin Franklin’s attempts to enlist
French help are without result
• And still not all the delegates are in favor of
independence, but time for reconciliation is fast
running out…
• One last attempt – the Olive Branch Petition
• In NC, April 12 1776, the Halifax Resolves call
for complete independence from Britain [first in
Freedom]

14. The Declaration of Independence
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Still intense debate over the final step
Thomas Jefferson appointed to write the
Declaration
borrows heavily from Enlightenment
thinkers, esp. John Locke’s ideas of Social
Contract and Natural Rights
Part One: Declaration of Natural Rights
[political ideas] Note key phrases
Part Two: list of grievances [why isn’t
Parliament mentioned?]
Part Three: Statement of independence
pledge and signatures of delegates
Proclaimed July 4, 1776 [the point is moot,
if. . .]
• Heritage of other revolutions

15. • John Hancock – President of the Congress – signs first,
and signs large [“put your John Hancock here”]
• Dilemma for the Loyalists [“Tories”]
• There is now no going back
• King George III’s diary entry for July 4, 1776 . . .
• “Nothing of importance happened today.”

16. •
•
•
•
•
Turning point in upstate New York:
Battles of Saratoga
Howe’s strategy to end the war
Howe captures Philadelphia;
Philadelphia captures Howe
Burgoyne’s slow advance down the
Hudson
Met at Saratoga by Gates and
Arnold
Defeat means:
– New England not cut off
– Aid from France

17. British take the war South
• Hoping for help from Loyalists in Savannah
and Charleston - 1780
• Difficulties moving inland
• Defeats at Cowpens and Kings Mt.
• Greene and Morgan chase Cornwallis out of
the Carolinas
• Cornwallis at Yorktown
• Besieged
• French Fleet to the rescue
• Surrender – Oct. 1781

18. Battle of Yorktown

19. End Game
• “It’s over!” – Lord North in Parliament
• 2 years of negotiation finally result in the
Peace of Paris, 1783.
• England recognizes U.S. independence
• Franklin, Adams and Jay avoid French
control
• Now what?
• Many dead, families and businesses ruined
• Worthless currency
• Massive debt
• 2nd Continental Congress drafts the nation’s
first true government – The Articles of
Confederation