Battles of the
Revolutionary War
Lexington-Concord,
Bunker Hill, Trenton,
Saratoga, Yorktown
Cause and Effects
 Setting the Stage
After Sam Adams and the Sons of Liberty tossed 342 chests of
tea into Boston Harbor during the Boston Tea Party in 1773,
King George III had Parliament pass the Coercive Acts to
punish the people of Massachusetts for their resistance.
 These harsh laws:
– Closed Boston Harbor until the tea was paid for. No food or
supplies could arrive.
– Forbid town meetings, these were important forms of self
government that the colonists felt was their right,
– Made people shelter soldiers in their homes,
– Any British Officer accused of crimes would have their trials in
other colonies or in Britain instead of in Massachusetts.
 British troops in the town of Boston were using their warships
to keep Boston harbor closed.
 This cut off trade, crippled the economy, and put colonists out
of work.
 British soldiers and colonists often fought in the streets and in
the taverns.
 People became public or secret supporters of one side or the
other.
 Tensions came to a head on April 18, 1775, when British
General Thomas Gage, appointed royal governor of
Massachusetts, sent 700 British soldiers to Lexington and
Concord to confiscate weapons and ammunition being
gathered by the colonists.
Lexington - Concord
 Some of the colonists, warned that
the British were coming, were
waiting in Lexington when the
British arrived the next morning. To
this day no one knows for sure who
fired first, but a shot rang out. The
British soldiers fired a volley into
the colonial militia, killing eight men
and wounding 10.
 The British then moved on to
Concord where minutemen drove
back three British infantry units
guarding Concord’s North Bridge.
On their retreat back to Boston
they were peppered by patriot
snipers. By the time the redcoats
reached Boston, they had suffered
273 casualties compared with fewer
than 100 for the patriots.
 Engravings (pictures) in local newspapers incorrectly
reported that the British, after attacking Lexington
and Concord, raided and pillaged (robbed) property
all the way back to Boston. That news enraged
patriots throughout the colonies. Within 48 hours,
militiamen from Connecticut, New Hampshire, and
Massachusetts gathered in and around Cambridge,
Massachusetts across the Charles River from
Boston. The many differences that had separated
the various colonies, including different religions,
systems of government, and lifestyles, were
forgotten for a greater cause.
 Slowly the different colonial armies placed themselves under
Massachusetts’ command and became a New England army. By
mid-June 1775, approximately 7,600 troops were camped in and
around Cambridge, Mass.
 While the patriots were mobilizing, British General Gage tried to
decide how best to deploy his 5,000 British regulars. He realized
that whichever side could take control of the high ground around
Boston would have the advantage in a battle. The British army
set forth a plan to occupy the hills around Boston by late June.
 Fortunately for the patriots their leaders learned of the British
plan and resolved that the colonial army should beat the British
to the high ground by fortifying the hills of Charlestown.

Battle
of
Bunker
Hill
American troops are dug in along the high ground of
Breed's Hill (the actual location) and are attacked by a
frontal assault of over 2000 British soldiers who storm up
the hill. The Americans are ordered not to fire until they
can see "the whites of their eyes." As the British get within
15 paces, the Americans let loose a deadly volley of rifle
fire and halt the British advance. The British then regroup
and attack 30 minutes later with the same result. A third
attack, however, succeeds as the Americans run out of
ammunition and are left only with bayonets and stones to
defend themselves. The British succeed in taking the hill,
but at a loss of half their force, over a thousand casualties,
with the Americans losing about 400, including important
colonial leader, General Joseph Warren.
Battle of Bunker Hill
 Significance:
The colonists’ brave defense encouraged
resistance & gave them confidence in their
ability to fight the British troops

Last try for peace
 July 5, 1775 - The
Continental Congress
adopts the Olive Branch
Petition which expresses
hope for a reconciliation
with Britain, appealing
directly to the King for
help in achieving this. In
August, King George III
refuses even to look at
the petition and instead
issues a proclamation
declaring the Americans
to be in a state of open
rebellion.
Battle of Trenton
 The Battle of Trenton began on Christmas Day,
December 1776, when General Washington's army was
in a pitiful condition, and growing weaker. Troops were
deserting, it was bitter cold and they lacked food, shoes
and blankets.
 It was under these conditions that Washington made his
famous crossing of the Delaware river. He had heard
from a scout that the Hessians, (German mercenaries)
were spending the evening relaxing and enjoying food
and wine. Washington decided to cross at night and
surprise them in the morning. So while the Hessians
were enjoying their wine and song, the Continental Army
was preparing to attack. The army silently advanced to
the Delaware River. They crossed the icy Delaware eight
miles north of Trenton and nine hours later 2400 men
gathered around Washington to hear the order for the
assault on Trenton.
The famous crossing:
Washington and his army cross the Delaware River at
night to attack the Hessian mercenaries at Trenton.
 The Hessians were sleeping at 8:00 a.m. when the
Americans entered the City. Minutes later, Washington's
army attacked - killing five Hessian officers, one non
commissioned officer, and sixteen privates. There were
918 prisoners taken to Newtown, Pennsylvania. Of the
American losses, two soldiers supposedly froze to death,
one or two American privates were wounded, and three
officers were wounded, (including future president Lt.
James Monroe).
Hessian mercenary soldiers
Battle of Saratoga
 The first major American victory of the Revolutionary War
as Gen. Horatio Gates and Gen. Benedict Arnold defeat
Gen. Burgoyne, inflicting 600 British casualties. American
losses are only 150.
 October 17, 1777 - After long negotiations, Gen. Burgoyne
officially surrendered his 5700 man army on October 17.
He was sent back to England in disgrace, and was never
given another command.
 In Paris the victory is celebrated as if it had been a French
victory. Ben Franklin is received by the French Royal Court.
France then recognizes the independence of America and
enters the war on the side of the patriots.
 Money and supplies flowed to the American cause,
providing Washington's Continental Army with the support
necessary to continue its fight against Great Britain.
Victory at Saratoga !!
Britain's loss at Saratoga proved disastrous, in that it signaled to
the European powers that the rebels were capable of defeating the
English on their own. More than any other single event, it would
prove decisive in determining the eventual outcome of the War.
The End is near !!- Yorktown
 August 1, 1781 - After chasing
American Gen. Greene's army
without success, British Gen.
Cornwallis and his 10,000 tired
soldiers seek rest at the port of
Yorktown, Virginia.
 August 14, 1781 - Gen.
Washington abruptly changes
plans and abandons the attack
on New York in favor of
Yorktown after receiving a
letter indicating a 29-ship
French fleet with 3000 soldiers
is now heading for the
Chesapeake Bay near
Cornwallis. Gen. Washington
and Gen. Rochambeau rush
their best troops south to
Virginia to destroy the British
position in Yorktown.
 August 30, 1781 - The French fleet arrives off Yorktown,
Virginia. De Grasse then lands troops near Yorktown, linking
with Lafayette's American troops to cut Cornwallis off from
any retreat by land.
 September 5-8, 1781 - Off Yorktown, a major naval battle
between the French fleet and the outnumbered British fleet
results in a victory for the French. The British fleet retreats
to New York for reinforcements, leaving the French fleet in
control of the Chesapeake. The French fleet establishes a
blockade, cutting Cornwallis off from any retreat by sea.
French naval reinforcements then arrive from Newport.
 September 28, 1781 - Gen. Washington, with 17,000 men,
begins the siege of Yorktown. French cannons bombard Gen.
Cornwallis and his 9000 men day and night while the Allied
lines slowly advance and encircle them. British supplies run
dangerously low.
 October 17, 1781 - As Yorktown is about to be taken, the
British send out a flag of truce and surrender.
 October 19, 1781 - As their band plays the tune, "The world
turned upside down," the British army marches out in
formation and surrenders. Hopes for a British victory in the
war against America are gone. In the English Parliament,
there will soon be calls to bring this long costly war to an end.
 October 24, 1781 – Ships with 7000 British reinforcements
arrive but turn back on hearing of the surrender at Yorktown.
Battle of Yorktown
The British surrender!!!