Battles in boston common sense

Patrick Henry

Warm Up

• What is your definition of liberty?

• What is the price of liberty?

• What would you give up to have liberty?

American Revolution

• Fought between Great Britain and the 13 American Colonies

• British Army vs. Continental Army

• Colonies are fighting to win independence from Britain

People in the Colonies

• The Colonies were split in their opinion about revolution

• People who supported the Revolution were called Patriots

• People who supported Great Britain and King George were called Loyalists or Tories

• People who were unsure of what side to support were called Neutrals

British Army

• Largest and most powerful army in the world

• Soldiers enlisted or joined as a career and were well trained

• Soldiers were known as Redcoats

• Lead by experienced generals such as Thomas Gage, William Howe, John Burgoyne, and Charles Cornwallis

Redcoats

• They are British soldiers

• They wore red coated uniforms.

• Their red coats made them easier to see and shoot at.

Continental Army

• Small army without many supplies

• Soldiers were farmers, fishermen, and businessmen

• Soldiers were known as Minutemen

• Lead by generals with little to no experience, such as George Washington, Henry Knox, Nathanael Greene, Horatio Gates, and Benedict Arnold

Minutemen

• Members of the Militia.

• Not professional soldiers.

• They get their name from their ability to get ready for battle in under a minute.

Militia

• A small army of volunteer soldiers that represent a single colony

• The Continental Army was made up of Militias

Continental Congress

• A gathering of colonial leaders in Philadelphia to discuss the relationship between Britain and the colonies.

• Met 1st in 1774, and a 2nd time in1775

Warm Up

• What were some strengths and weaknesses of the British and Continental Armies at the start of the Revolution?

• Start a T-Chart to record your answers.

• Use bullet points.

Advantages

• British Army- at the start of the war they had more soldiers, more resources, and more experience.

• Continental Army- at the start of the war they knew the land they were fighting on, and were fighting for a cause they believed in.

Warm Up

• Copy the information in the T Chart on the board into your notes.

• “A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right.”- Thomas Paine

• What do you think this means?

• Do you agree with Paine’s quote?

Paul Revere’s Ride

• Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott ride to Lexington and Concord, outside Boston, to warn that the British army is marching.

• They ride on the night of April 18, 1775.

• Revere is captured after leaving Lexington.

• Dawes continues to warn Concord.

Battle at Lexington

• British soldiers reach Lexington on April 19, 1775.

• 70 Minutemen wait for them.

• The Minutemen are lead by Captain John Parker.

• Battle lasts a few minutes.

• 8 Minutemen die and 10 are injured.

Battle at Concord

• Samuel Prescott warns Concord the British are coming.

• People hide the weapons the British want.

• The British set buildings on fire.

• Minutemen shoot at the British.

• “Shot heard ‘round the world.”

• Also occurs on April 19, 1775

Fort Ticonderoga

• In May of 1775, Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold capture the British fort in New York

• In March of 1776, Henry Knox is sent to the fort to get its cannons.

• Knox brings the cannons back to Boston.

Battle of Bunker Hill

• On June 16, 1775, the British attack Patriots stationed on Bunker and Breeds Hill outside of Boston.

• The British attack twice and fail.

• On the third try the British force the Patriots to retreat.

• Even though they lose, the Patriots prove they could fight with the British.

Dorchester Heights

• General Washington sends Colonel Henry Knox back to Ticonderoga to get more weapons.

• In March of 1776, they put cannons on Nook’s Hill aimed at Boston.

• Washington proved he could outmaneuver General Gage.

Common Sense

• In January of 1776, Thomas Paine writes a short book called Common Sense.

• Common Sense is written so that all colonists can read and is distributed throughout the colonies.

• This increases the support for separation from England

Common Sense Arguments

• The British control over the economy has limited the colonists’ trade

• The people of Boston suffer under the Intolerable Acts

• An island should not rule a Continent

• The British are jealous of the Colonies

Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine

• Thomas Paine agreed with Patrick Henry and thought the colonies should revolt against the King of England.

• Do you agree with them, or would you remain loyal to the king?

Directions

• Get into pairs and get a textbook page 118.

• Pretend you are a colonist who has read Common Sense

• Create a poster advertising Common Sense and supporting Paine’s ideas.