US History
Fort Burrows
The American Revolution 1775 - 1783
6.1 -- Fighting Begins in the North
Time Line:
1775 - At Bunker Hill, the colonists face the British in what will be known as
the first major battle of the American Revolution
1777 - the Battle of Saratoga becomes the turning point of the war. Also, after
the American’s victory, the French decide to join the war and help
America defeat the British
1778 - France recognizes American Independence
¿¿
Why is this so very IMPORTANT ? ____________________________________
1781 - The British surrender to the Americans at Yorktown
1783 - Great Britain recognizes American independence in the Treaty of Paris
Main Idea:
Even though Congress did their part and tried to make peace with Britain, more fighting
began in New England.
Vocabulary:
Olive Branch - peace petition sent to King George III by colonial delegates
Petition
declaring their loyalty to the King and asking him to repeal the
Intolerable Acts
Green Mountain - surprise attack on Fort Ticonderoga which gave the
Boys
Americans control of a key route into Canada
Continental Army - army established by the second continental congress to
fight the British
Patriots - colonists who favored war against Britain
Loyalists - colonists who remained loyal to Britain
Battle of Bunker Hill - 1775, 1st MAJOR battle of the American Revolution
blockade - shutting of a port to keep people or supplies from moving in or out
mercenaries - soldier who fights merely for pay, often for a foreign country
The American War for Independence was the first time in the history of the world that a colony had
successfully rebelled against its ruling country. The American Revolution set an example for the
overthrow of many tyrannical governments, beginning with the demise of the French absolute
monarchy and continuing into our own day with the fight for free elections in South Africa, Iraq, and
other countries.
Setting the Scene:
News of the fighting at Lexington and Concord spread like wildfires. Riders galloped off
carrying hurriedly scrawled messages about the battles. The messengers were urged to “ride day
and night” and spread the news “without the least delay.” Within a few days, between 10,000 and
15,000 militia rushed to Boston. They surrounded the city and the British troops stationed there.
The sudden arrival of rebellious colonists was a clear sign that the quarrel between Britain
and its American colonies was about to blaze into war. Still, many colonists hoped for a peaceful
solution.
1 of 6.1 Printer Copy
US History
Fort Burrows
Was there no way to heal relations with Britain ? ___________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Peace or War ?
 In May 1775, a few weeks after the battles at Lexington and Concord, colonial delegates met at
the Second Continental Congress hoping to avoid a final break with Britain
 A Peace Petition
 Delegates sent the Olive Branch Petition to King George III
 They declared loyalty to the king and asked for a repeal of the 4 Intolerable
Acts
 King George III was furious and vowed to bring the colonists rebels to
justice
 He sent 20,000 more troops to the colonies to crush the revolt
 Sam and John Adams were convinced that war could not be avoided even before Congress
sent the petition
¿¿ How did King George react to the Olive Branch Petition ?
______________________________________________________________________________________
 Rebels Take Ticonderoga
 Ethan Allen, Vermont blacksmith, did not wait for Congress to act
 In May 1775, he led a band of Vermont volunteers, known as Green Mountain Boys, in a bold
surprise attack on Fort Ticonderoga in the early morning
 British commander surrendered and the Green Mountain Boys won a valuable supply of cannons
and gunpowder
 The success gave Americans control of a key route into Canada
 Setting Up an Army
 The Second Continental Congress had to make decisions about their makeshift army in Boston
 In June 1775, the delegates set up the Continental Army and appointed George Washington as
commander
 Washington knew he would be fighting against one of the world’s toughest armies but was
willing to do his best and set off at once to take charge
Advantages of the Opposing Sides
 Patriots
 Colonists who favored war with Britain thought British rule was harsh and unjust
 1/3 of colonists were Patriots
 Patriots entered war with some disadvantages and advantages
Disadvantages
Forces were poorly organized and untrained
Forces had few cannons and little gunpowder
No navy
Few colonists willing to enlist for long terms
Advantages
Many owned rifles and were good shots
GW was a brilliant commander
Determined to defend their homes/property
Fighting on their home ground
 The British
 British were a powerful foe – highly trained, experienced troops
 British navy was the best in the world
 British armies were 3,000 miles from home
 News and supplies took months to travel from Britain to North America
 British soldiers risked attacks from colonists once they marched out of the cities
2 of 6.1 Printer Copy
US History
Fort Burrows
 Loyalists
 1/3 of colonists remained loyal to Britain
 Included wealthy merchants, former officials of the royal government, some farmers and
craftsworkers
 More Loyalists lived in the Middle and Southern Colonies
 Loyalists faced hard times during war
¥ Tarred and feathered by Patriots
¥ Fled to England or Canada, losing their homes, farms and stores
¥ Some found shelter in cities controlled by British
The Fight for Boston
 During the first year of conflict, fighting centered around Boston
 6,000 British troops were stationed in Boston surrounded by colonial militia
 Battle of Bunker Hill (before GW reached Boston)
 June 1775, Colonel Prescott led 1,200 minutemen from Boston, up Bunker Hill
 Patriots could fire on British ships in Boston harbor from Bunker Hill
 Prescott moved troops to Breed’s Hill, an even better position
 British General Howe spotted the Americans and ferried 2,400 red coats across harbor to
attack
 Patriots fired and British were forced to retreat two times
 On the third attack, British took Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill
 British paid high price for victory with 1,000 dead or wounded red coats
 Battle of Bunker Hill was the first MAJOR battle of the Revolution
 It proved Americans could fight bravely but the British would not be
an easy defeat
¿¿ Why was the Battle of Bunker Hill significant for the Patriots ?
______________________________________________________________________________________
 The British Leave Boston
 When George Washington arrived in Boston, he found 16,000 troops
 GW turned raw recruits into a trained army and won their loyalty
 In January 1776, Washington had a stroke of good fortune
 The cannon captured by the Green Mountain Boys at Fort Ticonderoga arrived in Boston
and was placed overlooking the harbor
 British General Howe knew he could not hold Boston and his troops
sailed to Canada in March 1776 – 1,000 loyalists went with them
 King George III ordered a blockade of all colonial ports and hired German mercenaries to
help fight the colonists
1. How did Congress struggle between Peace and War with Britain ?
Peace________________________________________________________________
War_________________________________________________________________
2. What advantages did each side have as it entered the war ?
Colonists_____________________________________________________________
British_______________________________________________________________
3. How did the Continental Army gain control of Boston ?
____________________________________________________________________
3 of 6.1 Printer Copy