8.4c Explain the issues surrounding important events of the American Revolution8.4b Explain the roles played by significant individuals during the revolutionary period

The war is on!• After Lexington and Concord, all 13 colonies

send militias to Boston to force the British out.• Boston is placed under siege.

Bunker Hill• British attempt to break

the siege in the Battle of Bunker Hill.

• Bunker Hill is a British victory, although the redcoats suffer heavy losses.

The British retreat• In March 1776, the British are forced to

withdraw from Boston.• In July 1776, with the British gone from the

colonies, the Continental Congress drew up the Declaration of Independence

The Empire Strikes Back!

• Shortly after the Declaration of Independence is released, the British invade Brooklyn, NY.

• In the Battle of Brooklyn, Washington’s troops are routed and Washington himself is nearly captured.

RUN!!!• As the British took firm control of NYC,

Washington and his men flee.• He would be chased all through New Jersey

until December

Washington makes a move• In a bold move, Washington moves his men

across the frozen Delaware River and defeated the British at the Battle of Trenton.

The British plan• In an attempt to end the war quickly, The British

invade Philadelphia, then go north to Canada to cut New England off from the rest of the colonies.

• The invasion army waits for reinforcements from New York that never come, and become trapped.

The Battle of Saratoga 1777• Under General Gates, the Continental Army

defeated the British at Saratoga.• This battle would be the turning point in the

war

What is a turning point?• Turning point –

an event that changes the course of a war or struggle.

Why was Saratoga the turning point?• The victory at Saratoga convinced the other

powers of Europe that America had a shot at winning the revolution.

• After Saratoga, the French would sign an alliance to help the Americans

Meanwhile . . . • The British siege of Fort Mifflin allowed

Washington and his forces to sneak away from British troops and settle in for the winter at Valley Forge, PA.

The winter at Valley Forge 1777• Many of the Continental Army had to brave a harsh

winter with nothing more than blankets to keep warm.

• Very few deserted (left), demonstrating the determination of the patriots.

The South at war!• From 1778-1781, the British concentrated

their efforts on the South, not New England.• The British had fewer troops than before,

because now they were at war all over the world.

Was the American Revolution really World War I?

• Lets go to Google Earth and see what you think . . .

The beginning of the end. . . • The Southern

British Army retreated to Yorktown, Virginia, expecting to be rescued by the navy.

• However, the French navy had defeated their rescuers and taken control of the waters.

The Battle of Yorktown 1781• With the water

retreat cut off, and a combined force of the Continental Army and the French surrounding the city, General Cornwallis was trapped.

• After a long siege, Cornwallis surrendered.

Yorktown (cont’d)• Yorktown would be the last major battle of

the American Revolution• After the battle, Britain began to negotiate

peace treaties with the Americans, French, Dutch and Spanish.

Victory!• In 1783, the Americans and the British signed

the Treaty of Paris (1783), ending the war.

From left to right: John Jay, John Adams, Ben Franklin, Henry Laurens, William Temple Franklin. Who’s missing?

The Terms of the Treaty of Paris• The United States got all

lands east of the Mississippi river and south of the Great Lakes.

• Britain recognized America’s independence

• America agreed to repay Loyalists for lost property

All right, now what?• Now that the British are

gone, what do the Americans do now?