The American Revolution
Class Objectives
• Compare the advantages and disadvantages of the Continental
Army and the British Army.
• Compare the 3 different sides during the Revolution and the
views of each
• Define the major battles including the turning point and final
battle of the war.
• Explain the major events that ended the Revolution.
British Advantages  in the War
1. Well-trained army
and biggest navy in
the world.
2. Strong government
with lots of $$$
3. Support of
Loyalists and
Native Americans
British Disadvantages 
1. Far from home – had to
get men and supplies
across an ocean
2. Troops unfamiliar with
the land
3. Weak military leaders
and old style of fighting
4. Lack of support in
Britain for a long,
expensive war
American Advantages 
1. “Home-field advantage”
– familiar with the land
2. Strong leader in George
Washington
3. Guerilla warfare tactics
4. Inspired by the fight for
independence
5. Help from France and
other European nations
American Disadvantages 
1. Untrained soldiers,
fewer people
2. Shortage of food,
money, ammunition
and supplies
3. Small, weak navy
4. No central government
to enforce wartime
policies
What do you think?
• Based on their
advantages and
disadvantages, which
side do YOU think
should win, and why?
•
Write a clear thesis
statement to answer this
question. (One sentence!)
Loyalists vs. Patriots
Loyalists (Tories)
– American Colonists who remained
loyal to the British during the war.
– OK for Britain to tax the colonies due
to the protection they received during
the French and Indian War.
– Felt strong social and economic ties to
Britain and believed the British would
win the war.
– About a third of the colonists
remained loyalists throughout the
war.
Loyalists vs. Patriots
Patriots
– Desired complete and total
independence from Britain
– Motto based from the quote of
Patrick Henry “Give Me
Liberty or Give Me Death”
– Inspired by Common Sense by
Thomas Paine
– Made up the troops in
Washington’s Continental
Army and third of the colonial
population.
Neutrals
Neutrals
– Were undecided on
the war.
– Many disagreed with
British policies but
did not want to
declare independence
– Made up a third of
the population.
Activity
• Read each colonist profile. With your group,
decide whether you think that colonist would
be a Loyalist, a Patriot, or Neutral. Explain
your reasoning.
George Washington
• Kept his army intact during the
war and never allowed a major loss
at the hands of the British. He was
good at retreating.
• Secured major victories at Trenton
and later Yorktown.
• Wintered his army at Valley Forge,
providing time for the Americans
to regroup and train.
• His leadership was one of the main
reasons why the Americans won
the war.
Ben Franklin
• Ben Franklin (in addition to the his
efforts in the Continental
Congress) made many trips to
Europe to gain support for the
American cause from France and
other nations.
• Arranged the Treaty of Alliance
with France after the American
victory at Saratoga!
First Shots at Lexington and
Concord: First “Skirmish” of the War
• In 1775, British troops march to
Concord to seize a stockpile of weapons
and arrest John Adams and John
Hancock.
• Paul Revere rode quickly from Boston
to alert the two men and to warn the
Massachusetts militia men in Lexington
and Concord to be ready for the British.
• American “minute-men” intercepted
British forces at both Lexington and
Concord and fire the first shots of the
Revolutionary War. The British retreat
to Boston.
Battle of Bunker Hill (1775)
• After Lexington and Concord, the
British Army was pinned down by
Boston Harbor by the Continentals
• Britain’s General Gage decided to
attack militiamen at Breeds Hill
(Bunker Hill) who had dug in north of
Boston.
• The British advanced uphill several
times in straight lines to attack the
militiamen.
• This frontal assault cost the British over
1000 troops. The colonists sort-of
“won” the battle, losing only 450 (even
though they lost the hill).
The Second Continental Congress
Actions of the 2nd Continental
Congress, Philadelphia 1775:
1. Sent the King George III “The Olive
Branch Petition” -- a letter asking
for peace
2. Named George Washington
Commander of the Continental
Army
3. Drafted and signed the Declaration
of Independence on July 4th, 1776.
(Thomas Jefferson)
Battle of New York (1776)
Who Fought:
• Continental Army vs. British
Regulars
Leaders Present:
• General George Washington
and General William Howe
Significance:
• The British defeated the
Americans in Long Island.
Washington's army dropped
to only 8,000 men
• Continental Army kicked out
of NY for the rest of the war
Battle of Trenton (1776)
Who Fought:
• Continental Army vs. German
Hessians
Leaders Present:
• George Washington
Significance:
• With Washington’s army in
disarray, papers about to expire, he
needed a major victory. On
Christmas Eve Washington
attacked Hessians in Trenton for a
major victory.
Battle of Saratoga (1777)
Who Fought
• British Regulars, Mohawk
Indians, Continental Army,
Green Mountain Boys
Significance
• Generally regarded as a turning
point in the war. This victory
convinced France to enter the
war as an American ally. France
formally “recognized” the United
States of America as a country.
The End of the Revolution
• After over three more years of
fighting, and with French
assistance, Washington and
the Continental Army are able
to trap General Cornwallis at
Yorktown in 1781.
• After a month siege, the
British army surrendered.
• The Treaty of Paris 1783
officially ended the war and
gave America its independence
(2 years later!)
American Victory at Yorktown
Cornwallis’ surrender was the “day the
world turned upside down”
• So how exactly does the weak little
Continental Army defeat the mighty British
Army?
• What about the other “wars” and calls for
revolution going on?
– African Americans
– Native Americans
– Women
Slaves & Indians in the War
• Black slaves supported whoever seemed
likely to deliver freedom:
–Northern slaves supported the colonists
who offered freedom for any slave who
fought
–Southern slaves typically supported
Britain
• Native Americans feared colonial
expansion & overwhelmingly supported
Britain
The Continental
had 2 all-black
The
Variety ofArmy
Colonial
Soldiers
regiments composed of Northern slaves
Women in the War
• Women’s role in the revolution:
–Supported their husbands & sons in
enlisting in militias
–Ran business affairs & continued
boycotting English goods while men
fought (i.e. Abigail Adams)
–Created propaganda (political satires by
Mercy Otis Warren)
–Some helped in the battlefield (“Molly
Pitcher”)
Up Next
• Next Class: A Quiz and Review for the Unit
2 Test
• Come prepared with your study guide and
questions.
• UNIT 2 TEST
– MON Oct 5th (A) or TUES Oct 6 (B)