Fighting for Independence
WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE
WARM UP
After the lesson, students will be able to List in chronological order the major battles of the
Revolutionary War Describe the events and outcome of each major battle of
the Revolutionary War. Map out the British and Colonial routes Notes on most important battles
OBJECTIVES
Complete Time Line events Complete map of Battles
Follow directions given to you in the packet. Pick out 2 colors representing the Continental Army and the
British Army. (Example: Red: Continental Army Blue: British Army)
TODAY’S GOALS
April 19, 1775 1st battle in the American Revolution 700 British soldiers sent to destroy military supplies
in Concord. Met 70 armed militia met at Lexington. Pushed to Concord. Continental Army got supplies out before they
reached Concord. Americans “Won”
BATTLE OF LEXINGTON AND CONCORD
May 10, 1775 Meets in Philadelphia PA Took powers of central govt. Voted to ask the colonies for Supplies Named George Washington commander-in-chief
SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
June 17,1775 British Attacked American Troops. Do not shoot until you see the “whites of their eyes” Americans turned back the British 2 times before
running out of ammunition British Won.
BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL
December 26, 1776George Washington crossed the DelawareSurprised drunk Hessians on December 26 th Killed & captured over 1,000 men in 45 minutes. Victory for Americans.
BATTLE OF TRENTON
General Howe brought British forces from Nova Scotia to Long Island.
British won and took control of NYC
BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND
Written by Thomas Jeff erson Signed July 4, 1776
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
October 1776 Howe overwhelmed the continental army in NY and
easily took control of NYC.
BRITISH OCCUPY NYC
October 1777General Burgoyne defeated by American forces by
General Horatio Gates Win got France to ally with the Americans.
BATTLE OF SARATOGA
Winter 1777-1778 Fell at Battle of Brandywine and Germantown
BRITISH OCCUPY PHILADELPHIA
Winter 1778 Harsh winter for Washington’s men Reading on Winter at Valley Forge
WINTER AT VALLEY FORGE
1778 French Money, Soldiers, and naval power Essential to American Victory
ALLIANCE WITH FRANCE
1779 General Bernardo de Galvez
Ship supplies Defeated British at Baton Rouge
Made British divert troops
SPAIN ENTERS WAR
May, 1780 6 week siege Americans Surrendered
SIEGE OF CHARLESTON
1780Attempted to turn over Fort at West Point to the
BritishMessage was intercepted
BENEDICT ARNOLD’S TREASON
French blocked entrance at Chesapeake Bay
FRENCH AND BRITISH BATTLE IN CHESAPEAKE BAY
Oct 1781 French fleet prevented British from rescuing Cornwallis Surrounded on all sides at Yorktown and under
bombardments Cornwallis Surrenders
SIEGE OF YORKTOWN/CORNWALLIS SURRENDERS
TREATY OF PARIS
What do you think was the most significant battle in helping Americans win the war?
COOL DOWN
