Objective: To examine the strengths and weaknesses of the Continental and British armies.

- few cannons and little gunpowder

Continental Army

Disadvantages

“Nothing can be more hurtful to the service, than the neglect of discipline; for that discipline, more than numbers, gives one army the superiority over another.”- GEORGE WASHINGTON

July 6, 1777

- untrained soldiers- no navy

The rifle took a long time to load, compared to the musket. By the time a soldier forced his rifle ball down the barrel, the enemy could get him with a bayonet. Their rifles had no bayonet, a necessity for fighting at close range, or in damp weather when wet flints and gunpowder made firearms useless. Because of these disadvantages, the musket remained the primary weapon used during the Revolutionary War.

Continental Army

Advantages

- fighting for their homes and freedom

- leadership of George Washington

- plentiful weapons and supplies

British Army

Advantages- highly trained, experienced soldiers

- most powerful navy in the world

Naval Strength: Allies vs. Britain

Year French Spanish Dutch American Total Allied British

1778 52 — — 0 52 661779 63 58 — 0 121 901780 69 48 — 0 117 951781 70 54 13 0 137 941782 73 54 19 0 146 94

- less reasons to fight hard

British Army

Disadvantages

- the war was fought far from home

- risked constant attack

The Patriot – Battle Scene

Battle of Bunker Hill – video 3:53

• Occurred on Breeds Hill on June 17, 1775.

http://www.americanrevolution.com/BattleofBunkerHill.htm

http://www.oldgloryprints.com/Bunker%20Hill.htm

• The Patriots were short on gunpowder and were warned by Colonel William Prescott,

“Don’t fire till you see the whites of their eyes!”

• The British won the battle, but lost over 1,000 troops.

• This battle showed Britain that the Patriots would not be an easy enemy.