Colonies and the RevolutionWAR!

WAR!•Lack of a strong central gov’t= American

war effort difficult•Congress asked states for help= couldn’t

require it•Not enough supplies= army suffered

British Advantages•Well-equipped•Disciplined•Strongest navy

American Advantages•Accuracy and smart weapons•Knowledge of the land•Guerilla warfare tactics

▫No real uniforms

Other Key Players•France, Spain, Germany, and Poland

▫Hessian mercenaries= Germany•Marquis de Lafayette: Frenchman who

supported the cause ▫Huge % of gunpowder came from France

Early Major Battles•Bunker Hill•Trenton

Battle at Bunker Hill-1775 •Actually at Breed’s Hill•U.S. ran out of ammunition= Britain

victory•Moral victory for the army

Bunker Hill•Costliest battle= British

▫British casualties 1,054▫American casualties 441

•British= nervous

Battle of Trenton-1776•12/26, Surprise attack •Washington crossed the Delaware

▫1000 Germans fighting captured▫Clear British from NJ▫1st great victory

More Significant Battles•Saratoga•Winter at Valley Forge•Yorktown

▫Blend of successes and failures for America

Battle of Saratoga-1777•Turning point•Biggest American victory yet

▫5,000 British surrender

Battle of Saratoga-1777•France changed its policies

▫Formed an alliance•Declared war on Britain•Spain declared war in 1779

Valley Forge 1777-1778•Briefly a refuge, and training

▫No food or clothing▫Many died▫Washington asked Congress for help▫Low point=Deserters shot

Battle of Yorktown-1781•American and French blockade•British escape= impossible•Gen. Cornwallis faced American forces

twice his size

Treaty of Paris- 1783•Officially ended the American Revolution•Set geographic borders

▫Florida= Spain▫British merchants= paid for lost items▫Loyalists= paid for lost property

Quick Review•What were the advantages of the British

Army, what were the advantages of the American Army?

•What event was a major turning point and led to support the French to support the Patriots?

•Where was the final battle of the war, and how was it won?

•What were the results of the Treaty of Paris?

Activity: American Revolution Timeline•Partners•Timeline (in chronological order)•Major events leading up to Independence

and major events of the Revolutionary War

•Minimum of 6 events•Minimum of 3 explanations of importance •Minimum of 3 pictures

Activity: American Revolution Timeline•Partners•Timeline (in chronological order)•Major events leading up to Independence

and major events of the Revolutionary War

•Minimum of 8 events•Minimum of 5 explanations of importance •Minimum of 3 pictures