The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775 on Breed's Hill, where 1500 colonial militia had constructed an earthwork fortification overnight. The British, led by General Howe and with 2400 troops, made three assaults on the colonial position. Though the colonists were eventually forced to retreat due to running low on ammunition and lacking experience in hand-to-hand combat, they inflicted heavy casualties on the British troops during their frontal assaults. While the British maintained control of the battlefield, the victory came at such a high cost that it bolstered the confidence of the colonists and showed that colonial militia could stand up to the superior British forces.

2. Essential QuestionsEssential Questions
1.1. Why did the colonists hold their fire untilWhy did the colonists hold their fire until
the British were almost upon them?the British were almost upon them?
2.2. How many assaults did the British armyHow many assaults did the British army
make during the Battle of Bunker Hill?make during the Battle of Bunker Hill?
3.3. Why can the Battle of Bunker Hill beWhy can the Battle of Bunker Hill be
considered a victory for the colonists?considered a victory for the colonists?

4. Siege of BostonSiege of Boston
= British
= Americans

5. KING GEORGE IIIKING GEORGE III
Upon hearing of theUpon hearing of the
battles of Lexington andbattles of Lexington and
Concord he remarked:Concord he remarked:
““Once these rebels haveOnce these rebels have
felt a blow, they will submit.”felt a blow, they will submit.”

6. Setting the Stage…Setting the Stage…
Various Leaders from
each colony
• 1500 Colonial Militia
General Howe
• 2400 British Redcoats

7. The British RedcoatThe British Redcoat
 Heavily armedHeavily armed
 BayonetBayonet
 100 pounds of equipment100 pounds of equipment
 Experienced in combat.Experienced in combat.
 Expert rifleman.Expert rifleman.

8. The Colonial MilitiamanThe Colonial Militiaman
 Lightly armedLightly armed
 No equipmentNo equipment
 Little to no experienceLittle to no experience
in combat.in combat.
 A marksman.A marksman.

9. Digging InDigging In
 In one night, theIn one night, the
colonial militia createscolonial militia creates
an earthwork onan earthwork on
Breed’s Hill.Breed’s Hill.
 The British hear theThe British hear the
preparations butpreparations but
choose to ignore them.choose to ignore them.

10. Siege of BostonSiege of Boston
= British

13. = British= Americans

16. Attack #1
 Dozens of redcoats lay dead and wounded onDozens of redcoats lay dead and wounded on
the slopes leading up to the earthworks.the slopes leading up to the earthworks.

17. = Americans = British

19.  As the British marched back up the hill, theAs the British marched back up the hill, the
Americans again fired point-blank into their facesAmericans again fired point-blank into their faces
forcing them to retreat.forcing them to retreat.
Attack #2

21. = Americans = British

22.  Howe attacks theHowe attacks the
colonial flanks (sides).colonial flanks (sides).
 The Americans flee:The Americans flee:
1.1. Out of ammunition.Out of ammunition.
2.2. No experience inNo experience in
hand to handhand to hand
combat.combat.
THE DEATH OF MAJOR
GENERAL JOSEPH
WARREN
Attack #3

24. 0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
Troops Casualties
British Colonists

25. Essential QuestionsEssential Questions
1.1. Why did the colonists hold their fire untilWhy did the colonists hold their fire until
the British were almost upon them?the British were almost upon them?
2.2. How many assaults did the British armyHow many assaults did the British army
make during the Battle of Bunker Hill?make during the Battle of Bunker Hill?
3.3. Why can the Battle of Bunker Hill beWhy can the Battle of Bunker Hill be
considered a victory for the colonists?considered a victory for the colonists?