The American Revolution
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War between French / Native Americans and
Great Britain / British subjects living in present
day America
France and Great Britain had always fought
over territory in North America
George Washington emerged as a heroic leader
in the battle against the French
The Albany Conference offered the first
suggestion that the colonies unite to form a
federal government
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Treaty of Paris ended
war in 1763, and for the
most part eliminated
French power in North
America
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The war created serious debt for Great Britain –
they looked to its colonies to help pay for the war
Meanwhile, Native Americans began attacking
British forts and troops because colonists were
defying land treaties and moving into Natives land
The British, not wanting to start another war,
declared the Proclamation of 1763 that drew a
boundary along the Appalachian trail, limiting
colonist settlement west of the line – this greatly
angered farmers and land speculators
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Stricter penalties for smugglers who did not
pay taxes
Sugar Act – changed tax rates and added taxes
to certain goods that were not taxed before
Currency Act – banned paper money in
colonies because it loses value quickly
Stamp Act – required stamps to be put on
certain printed material
Quartering Act – colonists paid more for their
defense
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Colonists began discussing that it is not right to
be taxed if they are not represented in the
government “ taxation without representation”
Organized the Sons of Liberty that held
meetings and demonstrations against tax laws
– also used intimidation and violence against
British tax collectors
Non-importation agreement – signed by
merchants who refused to buy and sell British
goods
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British repealed Stamp Act, but passed
Declaratory Act which gave them power to
make laws for the colonies
Also, the Townshend Acts
Continued to create additional tax laws on
imports
Harsh punishments for violators of tax laws
Legalized use of ‘writs of assistance’- ability for
custom officer to search home of those
suspected to smuggle or defy tax laws
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Documents were published saying that only
assemblies elected by colonists had the right to
tax other colonists
Sons of Liberty encouraged boycotting of
British goods
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Colonists would continuously harass British
soldiers
March 5, 1770 colonists began throwing
snowballs and taunting soldiers to the point
where one fired into a crowd of people
From then on the British were viewed as
tyrants who killed people that stood up for
their rights
Result: British repealed all but one tax – on tea
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Re-read Chapter 4 section 3 up to “Philadelphia
Falls” and answer the following questions as
you read.
What three major disadvantages did the British
face in the American Revolution?
Describe the Northern Campaign ( General
Howe’s strategy to get the colonists to
surrender)
Draw a picture of what you would picture the
Crossing of the Delaware to look like.
Crossing of the Delaware
by George Caleb
Bingham
Which do you
think is more
historically
accurate? Why?
Crossing of the
Delaware by Emmanuel
Leutze
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What was the initial goal of the military plan
that eventually led to the Battle of Brandwine
Creek?
What was the strategy?
What were the results?
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Initial goal : isolate New England from the other
American states
Strategy : British troops would march south, north,
and west to meet in Albany then march together
east into New England
Results : failed because of lack of communication
between British troops – somehow General Howe
made his own plans and took his troops to
Philadelphia with the belief that if Philadelphia
could be taken then the Continental Congress (
colonial government) would cripple and the
Revolution would be over
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMe8KUOXU0
Why is Valley Forge a good strategic location
for Washington to set up troops?
How do Washington’s troops feel about the
Prussian officer von Steuben and why?
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After reading Washington’s letter to the
governor, compare and contrast the cartoon of
Valley Forget to the actual experience of
Washington and his troops.
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1776- British capture NYC- headquarters for
British for rest of war
Dec/Jan 1776/1777 – American troops capture
Trenton and Princeton – place to camp for
winter
September 1777 – British troops captured
Philadelphia – military success but failed to
cripple Continental Army like they hoped
June 1777 - Battle of Saratoga – American
victory – turning point for war
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British take Savannah, Georgia – 1778 –
returned British royal governor to power
British take Charlestown, SC – 1780 – greatest
American defeat in war
Battle of Kings – October 1780 – turning points
in south for Americans – mountain men
attacked British and took back most of land
won by British
Battle of Yorktown – September/October 1781
– marked the end of the war
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September 3, 1783
Britain recognized the US as a new nation with
the Mississippi River as its western border
Britain gave Florida back to Spain
Britain gave back colonies in Africa and the
Caribbean to France