Jan 16, 2015
Description: Stamp Act protest by William Bradford
“… whether any methods can be found to elude the chains forged for us…”
First Continental Congress• When: September 1774• Where: Independence Hall – Philadelphia• Why: Because of the Intolerable Acts and
Boston is grounded. • Who: John Adams, Sam Adams, Benjamin
Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson• What Happens:
1. Ban all trade with England2. Train Our Militia (volunteer army)
First Continental Congress
Colonists began forming
their own militia to resist the
British.
• Disease was common. • The soldiers often slept under
the stars, but might not have a blanket.
• Food was frequently scarce. • Soldiers went hungry for days
at a time before finding turnips, nuts, or other items to eat.
It is a wonder that the American side won the war at all.
Life as a soldier
Britain
• British General Thomas Gage is put in control of Boston – with many British Soldiers.
Gage
• Gage hears that the Patriots have an arsenal (garage for weapons) in Concord and Lexington.
• In secret, Gage and 800 troops march to Lexington to seize (take) the weapons.
• Patriots find out that the British are on the way – and messangers to warn them are dispatched.
Paul Revere’s & Robert Dawes Midnight Ride warning the minutemen in Lexington and Concord that the British were on their way.
Lexington
• The Patriots are prepared. The minute men gather to meet the British Troops.
• Outnumbered General Parker (Patriot) only wanted his men to show the British that we were serious.
• Shots are fired and 8 patriots are killed.
April 19, 1775
Battle of Lexington & ConcordMassachusetts
• The Beginning of the War
Shot heard around the
world!
Lexington
• When: April 17, 1775
• Where: Lexington, Massachusetts (about 12 miles outside of Boston).
• Why: Patriots met the British in Lexington Green because Gen. Gage was looking for weapons.
• Who: Minute Men v. RedcoatsWhat: Gunfire occurs – 8 Patriots die
Concord• After Lexington, Redcoats head for
Concord.
• British soldiers began searching homes, and some were set on fire.
• Minutemen made their way to North Bridge in Concord and met the Redcoats there.
Concord
• 2 shots are fired and the Major John Buttrick, leader of the local Concord militia, implored his men to retaliate, shouting “Fire, fellow soldiers, for God’s sake, fire!”
• This was the first time American militia had fired on the British army.
• When: April 17, 1775
• Where: Concord, Massachusetts
• Why: Patriots meet the Redcoats at North Bridge. Redcoats looking for weapons.
• Who: Patriots V. Redcoats (England)
• What: First Shots that the Patriots have returned; Redcoats are sent back to Boston.
CONCORD
Concord
April 1775 July 1775 July 4, 1776
1777
October 1781
1783
•The Beginning of the War•“The Shot heard round the World”
Olive Branch Petition
Declaration of Independence
Battle of Lexington &
ConcordBattle of
Yorktown
Battle of Saratoga Treaty of Paris
.
May 1775
Second Continental Congress
MAY 1775 Second Continental CongressMeeting in Philadelphia. Colonial Representativesformed the Continental Army.
George Washington was named general of the Continental Army.
Second Continental Congress• When: May 1776
• Where: Independence Hall, Philadelphia
• Why: Lexington & Concord
• Who: Thomas Jefferson, Sam Adams, John Adams, James Madison. No George Washington – getting ready for war.
• What: Vote to declare independence and vote to create Continental Army, Appoint George Washington Leader.
April 1775 July 1775 July 4, 1776
1777
October 1781
1783
Olive Branch Petition
Declaration of Independence
Battle of Lexington &
ConcordBattle of
Yorktown
Battle of Saratoga Treaty of Paris
.
May 1775
Second Continental Congress
Philadelphia• Colonial representatives
formed the Continental Army with George Washington as the 1st General.
July 1775
Olive Branch Petition
• Colonists try to avoid war and send a last ditch effort for peace.
• They send the “Olive Branch Petition” to King George III.
• He refused.
Paine wrote Common Sense, a 79-page pamphlet in which he offered “nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense" on the idea of American independence from England. He began…
"We have it in our power to begin the world anew...American shall make a stand, not for herself alone, but for the world,"
Common Sense by T.Paine
• When: 1776
• Where: Published anonymously in newspapers
• Why: To Support Independence
• Who: Thomas Paine
• What: T. Paine wanted the colonists to know that breaking up with England was okay and that the colonies could do it!
July 4, 1776
Declaration of Independence
• This document was written by Thomas Jefferson
• Considered treason against England.
• Punishable by death.
Declaration of Independence
• When: 1776 at Continental Congress
• Where: Philadelphia
• Why: Breaking up with England
• Who: Patriots – Thomas Jefferson main author.
• What: Colonist list grievances (complaints) against England.
April 1775 July 1775 July 4, 1776
1777
October 1781
1783
Olive Branch Petition
Declaration of Independence
Battle of Lexington &
ConcordBattle of
Yorktown
Battle of Saratoga Treaty of Paris
.
May 1775
Second Continental Congress
Philadelphia• Colonial representatives
formed the Continental Army with George Washington as the 1st General.
The new American flag
England’s Army Continental Army (Colonists)
• Powerful• Excellent Navy• Large, well-trained
army
• Powerful• Excellent Navy• Large, well-trained
army
• Lacked weapons• Lacked discipline• Lacked supplies• Small, un-trained.
• Lacked weapons• Lacked discipline• Lacked supplies• Small, un-trained.
Strengths
Weaknesses• Crossed ocean to
war with colonists.• Didn’t know land.
• Crossed ocean to war with colonists.
• Didn’t know land.
• Strong commitment to the war.
• Knew land the land.• Good leadership• Foreign allies (France)
• Strong commitment to the war.
• Knew land the land.• Good leadership• Foreign allies (France)
1777
Battle of SaratogaNew York
• It was the turning point in the war.
• The Colonists swarmed around British General Burgoyne’s army for a triumphant victory at Saratoga.
• After Burgoyne’s surrender, Spain & France decided to support the colonies and send funds, supplies and troops.
Battle of Saratoga
• When: 1777
• Where: Saratoga, New York
• Why: At war with England
• Who: Patriots v. Redcoats.
• What: Turning point in the war! Patriots win and France decides to help America!
Winter at Valley Forge
We had nothing to eat for two or three days previous… But we must now have what Congress said a lavish Thanksgiving. It gave everyman a few ounces of rice and a tablespoon of vinegar. The army was now not only starved but nearly naked.
1781
Battle of YorktownVirginia
• British General Cornwallis settled his troops in Yorktown.
• Colonists & France surrounded and attacked British troops.
• General Cornwallis surrendered. • ENGLAND SURRENDERS TO
COLONIES!!!
Ended the War!
Ended the War!
Yorktown
• When: 1781• Where: Yorktown, • Why: War with Britain/England over
Independence • Who: Patriots (George Washington) v. Britain
(General Cornwallis).• What: Britain looses and surrenders because
France is in the harbor and Washington is in Yorktown! American WINS!
1783
Treaty of ParisFrance
• Formal end to war
Effects• US is independent.• Outlined US boundaries.
(Canada, Florida and Mississippi River
• US gets fishing rights.• Both sides repay debts.• Return captured items.
Treaty of Paris
• When: 1783
• Where: Paris, France
• Why: To end the war.
• Who: Patriots & Britain
• What: Formally ended the war and recognized America as it’s own country.
April 1775 July 1775 July 4, 1776
1777
October 1781
1783
Olive Branch Petition
Declaration of Independence
Battle of Lexington &
ConcordBattle of
Yorktown
Battle of Saratoga Treaty of Paris
May 1775
Second Continental Congress
How did Colonists Win?
• Better Leadership• Foreign Aid• Knew the land• Motivation
Great General Washington
Great General Washington