Lexington and Concord
• April 19, 1775-First battle of the war.
• Shot heard round the world.
• 8 minutemen killed at Lexington.
• Guerrilla warfare at Concord.
• 73 British soldiers killed at Concord.

Lexington Green Re-enactment

Minuteman Statue

Bunker Hill June 16, 1775
• British victory because
Americans ran out of ammunition.
• British learned it would be difficult to beat the Americans.

Patriots vs. Loyalists
• Patriots wanted to fight Britain
• Loyalists did not want to fight Britain
• New England had the most Patriots, while South Carolina and Georgia had the most Loyalists

Britain vs. America
1. Britain’s Strengths a. More money.
b. More soldiers.
c. More weapons.
d. More experience fighting wars.
2. America’s Strengths a. Fighting at home.
b. More reasons to win.

2 nd Continental Congress
• May 10, 1775
• Selected George Washington to command the Continental Army.

Declaration of Independence July 4,
1776
• Thomas Jefferson writes the
Declaration of Independence

Independence Hall

Declaration of Independence

John Hancock Signature

Battle of Trenton
• Washington surprised the British by attacking on Christmas night.
• Huge American victory.
• German Hessian soldiers had been drinking.

Washington Crosses Delaware River

• British captured Philadelphia in September 1777.
• Continental Congress had to leave.
• Winter was approaching.

Battle of Saratoga October 17, 1777
• American victory.
• Benedict Arnold.
• Ben Franklin persuades France to enter war.
• France sends money, ammunition, and troops to fight alongside the Americans.

Benedict Arnold American Hero

Benedict Arnold British Army

Benedict Arnold Wanted Poster

Valley Forge Winter 1778
• Continental Army faced horrible conditions.
• Limited supplies ( clothes and food).
• Tiny huts.
• Many American soldiers died.
• Americans survived until spring.
• Baron Von Steuben trains army.

Valley Forge Hut for 12 Soldiers

Washington House at Valley Forge

Valley Forge Hardships

Valley Forge Hardships

Battle of Yorktown
• Washington changes attack plan from New York to Yorktown
• Surprise attack at Yorktown
• French fleet blocked escape routes
• 8,000 British prisoners taken
• Britain surrenders
• War ended on October 19, 1781
• Band played Yankee Doodle and The World
Turned Upside Down

British Surrender at Yorktown, Virginia
1781

British Surrender at Yorktown, Virginia
1781

British Surrender at Yorktown, Virginia
1781

Treaty of Paris
• Treaty ending the war signed in Paris, France on September 3, 1783.
• Ben Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay represented America.

United Sates of America