The
Revolutionary War
Students will analyze key
events of the American
Revolution in order to evaluate
their impact on the outcome of
the war.
•Students will describe the military advantages and
strategies of the British and Americans
•Students will examine key battles
•Students will analyze contributions of various
leaders
•Students will evaluate the impact of the end of the
War.
Vocabulary
• Redcoats: British soldiers
• Minutemen: American
colonial militia
• Militia: Army of citizens
• Continental Army:
Colonial Army
Lexington - Concord
•
Colonists were warned that the British were
coming and the colonial militia 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 many shots into the colonial militia,
killing 8 men and wounding 10.
•
The British then moved on to Concord where
minutemen pushed back three British infantry
units guarding Concord’s North Bridge.
•
As the British were returning to Boston they
were shot by patriot snipers. By the time the
redcoats reached Boston, they lost 273 men
total compared with fewer than 100 for the
patriots.
•
This is commonly called the “Shot Heard
Around the World”
• 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.
•
•
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Slowly the different colonial armies placed themselves under
Massachusetts’ command and became a New England army. By midJune 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.
American Strengths and
Weaknesses
• The colonists were
fighting for
independence
• George Washington
could inspire his men
to fight
• France would aide the
colonies with
weapons, supplies
and their navy
American Strengths and
Weaknesses
• The colonists
were not a
trained army
• Colonists enlisted
for months
instead of years
• They didn’t have
much money,
weapons, or
supplies to fight
a war
British Strengths and
Weaknesses
• The British had an
experienced
professional army
• They outnumbered
the Continental
Army
• The British army
was well supplied
with equipment and
weapons
British Strengths and
Weaknesses
• The British were not fighting for a cause
• The British had to cross the Atlantic Ocean
to send men and supplies for the war
• The support at home was weak
The Strategy of War
• American Colonies
– Keep the Colonial
Army together
– Washington seeks to
stretch the British
army away from
supply lines
– Harass the enemy,
defeat the British in
a major battle
– Get allies to help win!
• Britain
– Seeks to destroy the
Colonial Army
– Regain control of the
colonies by region
– Take the fight to the
Colonial Army using
European war tactics
– Use loyalists support
against the colonies
The Strategy of War
People in the Revolution
George Washington
Founding father. Member
of the Continental
Congress, commanderin-chief of the
Continental Army,
presiding officer of the
Constitutional
Convention, first
President of the United
States.
Charles Cornwallis
British general and colonial
governor, served with
distinction in American
Revolution, won battle
of Brandywine, captured
Philadelphia in 1777 and
Charleston in 1780,
forced to surrender to
Washington at Yorktown
in 1781 ending the war.
Marquis de Lafayette
French citizen who joined
Continental Army during
Revolutionary War,
ardent supporter of
American Revolution,
voted Major General by
Continental Congress,
commanded light
division in Battle of
Yorktown, close
associate of George
Washington.
Henry Knox
Major figure in
American
Independence, first
Secretary of War,
General in
Continental Army,
principal founder of
U.S. Military
Academy, cofounder of U.S.
Navy.
Nathanael Greene
Revolutionary War
General, studied law
under Thomas
Jefferson, led American
forces in major battles,
supreme commander of
Continental Army in
Sept., 1780; his
battlefield strategy
forced Cornwallis to
Yorktown.
African Americans in the
War
During the revolutionary period in America,
the word "liberty" was everywhere: the
liberty tree, the Sons and Daughters of
Liberty, and slogans such as "give me
liberty or give me death." The concept of
liberty was everywhere, but its reality was
limited. Much of the American economy was
based on the complete opposite of liberty,
slavery. African Americans used the
Revolution to try to obtain their personal
freedom.
African Americans in the War
• 5,000 black men served in
the Continental Army, and
hundreds more served on the
sea.
• African American Patriots
fought in every major battle
of the Revolutionary War.
• When the American
Revolution ended, most
African Americans were
denied the promises of
liberty that were written in
the Declaration.
Native Americans in the
War
Native Americans were in a difficult position during the
American Revolution. It was ironic to Native Americans
that the colonists and British were waging a war over
land that the indigenous people considered theirs.
Indians knew that the Revolution was a contest for
Indian land as well as for colonial liberty. At first,
Native Americans remained uninvolved in the conflict
between the British and colonists. As one Iroquois
stated, “It is true I am tall and strong but I will reserve
my strength to strike those who injure me.” However,
Native Americans were drawn into the fighting.
Women during in the War
The role and status of women underwent a
dramatic change during the Revolution.
Women, whose husbands went off to war,
had to assume the responsibilities that had
formerly belonged to men. Jobs such as
farming, bookkeeping and trade became
woman’s work while the men were off
battling for independence. Not all women
were satisfied by taking up the chores of
men; some wanted to fight.
Women in the War


•
When John Corbin joined the army, his
wife, Margaret Cochran Corbin,
followed him to war. Wives of the
soldiers often cooked for the men,
washed their laundry and nursed
wounded soldiers. During a battle, her
husband was in charge of the cannon.
He was killed during the battle.
Margaret continued loading and firing
the cannon by herself until she was
wounded. She was the first woman to
receive pension from the United States
government as a disabled soldier
Deborah Samson fought disguised as a
man named, Robert Shirtliffe in the
Continental Army. Deborah served for
three years and was awarded a pension
for her military service.
Despite their contributions to
America’s war of independence, once
the war was over, women were
relegated to their usual role and their
contributions to the war were many
times ignored.
“At every house women and children
are making cartridges, running
bullets…and at the same time
encouraging their husbands and sons to
fights.”
According to the quote, was the revolution
important to the colonial families?
Do you believe that all races, genders, and
ethnic groups shared this belief in the war
effort?
Key Battles of the American
Revolution
Battle of Bunker Hill
•
•
•
•
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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 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).
The Battle of Saratoga, AugustOctober 1777
• The British are
harassed by colonial
guerilla forces and end
up stretching their
supply lines.
• The British will
surrender to the
Colonial forces led by
General Horatio Gates
• Saratoga is important
because it is a major
defeat for the British
and shows the French
that the colonies may
be able to win the war
Battle of Saratoga
•
•
•
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The first major American victory of
the Revolutionary War,
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.
France 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 - 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 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.
The Battle of Yorktown, October 1781
• The French are helping the Continental
Army with men, weapons and warships
• The Americans and the French will
corner the British on a small peninsula
and bombard them with cannon fire.
• The British will surrender and end the
American Revolution.
• The colonists will win the American
Revolution with this victory.
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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!!!
The Treaty of Paris, 1783
• THE WAR ENDS WITH THESE
CONDITIONS
• “free, sovereign and independent states”
• British must remove all troops from forts
• Boundary for United States is the
Mississippi
• Loyalist would have rights and property
protected
• captured slaves must be returned to
owners