PEOPLE AND BATTLES OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 1775-1783
PATRICK HENRY Give Me Liberty or Give me Death He made a stirring cry that started the Revolutionary movement
FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS (1774) Representatives from 12 of 13 colonies Agree to: Continue boycott of British goods Send petition to king Support Massachusetts SHOWS UNIFICATION OF COLONIES
LEXINGTON AND CONCORD (APRIL 1775) Considered American Victory, Shot heard around the World, Started the Revolutionary War Considered American Victory, Shot heard around the World, Started the Revolutionary War.
PAUL REVERE One if by land, two if by sea Two Lanterns were lit, Paul Revere goes to Lexington to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock and the colonists that The Regulars are coming! He gets caught at Lexington and Prescott goes to Concord to warn them and hide the ammunition.
SAMUEL WHITTEMORE
April 18, 1975 Key Individuals involved: American-Paul Revere, William Dawes, Samuel Prescott, Samuel Adams, John Hancock British-General Gage Where did it happen: The Towns of Lexington and Concord The British destinations were Lexington, where they would capture Colonial leaders Sam Adams and John Hancock, then Concord, where they would seize gunpowder. Leader of the Sons of Liberty Battles Lexington and Concord First engagements of the American Revolution 8
BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL June 1775 Americans occupy two hills north of Boston British Gen. Gage s troops attack Americans Two attacks failed Gen. Howe orders 3 rd attack and is successful Americans run out of ammunition, but lose far less soldiers than British. (British lose more than 1,000 men) Despite the loss, Bunker Hill was a significant morale-builder for the inexperienced Americans.
BUNKER HILL (BREED S HILL, JUNE 1775) Don t fire until you see the white s of their eyes Prescott British Victory because the Americans run out of ammunition. British and Colonists suffer lots of casualties.
GENERAL HOWE William Howe was a British General who was Commander-in-Chief of British forces during the American Revolutionary. Howe's record in the war was marked by the costly assault on Breed's Hill known as the Battle of Bunker Hill and the successful capture of New York City and Philadelphia - the latter of which would have significant strategic implications
COMMON SENSE BY THOMAS PAINE WRITTEN IN LANGUAGE THAT EVERYONE CAN UNDERSTAND RALLYS COMMON MAN TO SUPPORT WAR CAUSE SOLD OVER 100,000 COPIES IN TWO MONTHS
SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS Authorized the printing of money Set up a Post Office Created Continental Army (George Washington was chosen to lead it) Sent Olive Branch Petition to King George III telling him they wanted peace; asked him to protect colonists rights(which parliament wouldn t) George III rejected the Olive Branch Petition and hired 30,000 German troops(hessians) to send to America to fight for the British.
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE (JULY 4, 1776) Best Break Up Letter EVER!!! 4 Parts: Preamble Declaration of Natural Rights We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable (not to be denied) rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. List of Grievances (Complaints about the King) Resolution of Natural Rights (Saying they re Independent) and the 56 Signatures John Hancock s is the biggest he said I will sign so big King George can read it without his glasses
WHAT DOES THE PREAMBLE SAY? Sometimes when a relationship between two nations becomes difficult, one of those nations must break away, and, as a proper gesture to the world community, that country should state the reasons for this separation. When you break up it is socially expected that the person writing the break up letter should list the reasons why they are breaking up.
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Declaration of Independence 17
WHAT DOES THE DECLARATION OF NATURAL RIGHTS SAY? We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable (not to be denied) rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We believe that it should be clear that people everywhere are equal and have God- given rights to Life, Freedom, and pursuing their own form of happiness. These cannot be taken away. Governments are created to protect peoples rights (not the other way around) If the government is not protecting peoples rights then the people have the right to change or get rid of it But only for super serious reasons
WHAT IS THE LIST OF GRIEVANCES He has not support our laws that we need and are good for us He has ignored, suspended, and dissolved our law-making bodies. He has sent over his red coats to watch us closely, made us provide for their keep, and won t let us put on trial those soldiers who commit crimes. He has taken away from us trial by jury, He has cut off our trade with other countries He has taxed us without our voting on it He has taken away our ways of governing our own colonies He as waged war on us He has destroyed our towns, our shores, and disrupted our sea commerce He has brought over to fight against us hired soldiers from another country and encouraged the Indians to take up arms against us. He has continued to ignore our humble appeals and petitions to make things right (olive branch petition) He is unfit to be our king. He doesn t care about or listen to us!!!
WHAT DOES THE RESOLUTION SAY? We announce that we are free and independent states, with no loyalty or connection to the King. Therefore, we can wage war, bring about peace, Make friends abroad, perform all other actions an independent nation can do. We support this Declaration with our lives, our money, and our honor. We declare freedom!!! We are single and not in a relationship with you anymore
AUTHOR: THOMAS JEFFERSON
Where did they get their ideas? John Locke: Philosopher We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal That they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights That among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
SIGNING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ON JULY 4 TH 1776
WHAT HAPPENED TO THOSE THAT SIGNED? Five were captured by the British, though eventually released Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned One lost his son in the Continental Army Several suffered wounds in various battles
BRITISH ADVANTAGES Most powerful army in the world More weapons and supplies More experience (training and discipline) More soldiers Greatest Navy in the world
PATRIOT ADVANTAGES Knew the geography of the land (home field advantage) Used Guerrilla warfare Better Leaders Move committed to their cause
WHAT DID THE PEOPLE PICK? 1/3 Patriots 1/3 Loyalists 1/3 Neutral
Women Help in the War Effort: Molly Pitcher She watched her brothers go off to war and wanted to join them; disguised herself as a boy and enlisted as Robert Shurtleff. Other soldiers teased her for not being old enough to shave. She was wounded in a battle, but treated her wounds so she wouldn t be discovered; later she had a fever, and the doctor found out she was a woman. She was honorably discharged. Mary Ludwig, nicknamed Molly Pitcher because she would bring pitchers of water to the men fighting. When her husband collapsed from exhaustion, she continued to fire his cannon. One story says that an enemy cannon passed between her legs and she merely said, Good thing it wasn t any higher! Deborah Sampson 28
BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND (AUGUST 1776) Long Island, NY General Howe lead troops into NY the sheer numbers of the British Troops vs Continental Army give them the advantage. (32,000 British vs. 20,000 Americans) The Americans were destroyed and forced to retreat to New Jersey than to Pennsylvania. British Victory
NATHAN HALE My only regret is that I have but one life to lose for my county
GEORGE WASHINGTON As the American Army is heading into the Winter of 1776-1777 George Washington states: The spirits of the People have shrunk. Without fresh troops, I think the game is pretty near up. He knew they needed a Victory soon.
CONTINENTAL ARMY (AMERICAN ARMY) The Continental Congress had established the Continental Army, but they relied on the states to recruit soldiers; they didn t want to force the 13 colonies to do anything, after throwing off the rule of the British Parliament. Soldiers only had to enlist for 1 year. Washington asked for longer enlistments so he d have more soldiers; Continental Congress offered 3 year enlistments and length of war, but most still chose 1 year.
AFRICAN AMERICANS JOIN THE WAR EFFORT Washington pleaded for more troops. Southern states didn t want African Americans to join the army and get guns; some states ignored the ban and enlisted them anyways in order to get more soldiers. (5,000 African Americans joined the patriots). They fought to earn their freedom.
African Americans join the war effort 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.
AMERICAN INDIANS What side did they join? British because they weren t taking their land They had to choose the lesser of two evils.
TRENTON AND PRINCETON (DECEMBER 25, 1776-JANUARY 3, 1777) British Troops are in Albany, NY for the winter of 1776, they left some troops in New Jersey; armies in Europe usually paused their wars during they winter. Washington devises a plan to attack 900 German mercenaries (Hessians) in NJ in an attempt to catch the British off guard. They captured more than 900 Hessians in Trenton. On January 3 rd 1777 they drove the British of Princeton as well. One British Soldier wrote, A few days ago the Americans had given up the cause for lost. Their late successes have turned the scale and now they are all liberty mad again. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf-y7s_yiau (15 min) American Victory
CROSSING THE DELAWARE
WHAT THE DELAWARE REALLY LOOKS LIKE
NEED HELP? Even after the big wins at Trenton and Princeton the Americans still have some problems No way to combat the British Navy and re supply ships They need foreign help They send Ben Franklin to France to ask for support The French are hesitant to join because they were just humiliated by Britain in the French and Indian war and don t want to join a losing cause.
1 ST BRITISH PLAN FOR VICTORY British planned to take Albany which would give them New York and Hudson River, and will separate New England from the Middle Colonies. 3 pronged attack on Albany: Sent General Burgoyne with 8,000 troops south from Canada Lieutenant St. Leger moved east from Lake Ontario General Howe moved north from New York City. Planned to meet in Albany and destroy Patriot troops.
BATTLE OF ORISKANY (AUGUST 1777) St. Leger s force was halted at Fort Stanwix in New York. American troops, led by Benedict Arnold, forced defeated the British at the Battle of Oriskany. American Victory 1 prong down 2 to go
BRANDYWINE, PAOLI, GERMANTOWN, PHILADELPHIA Before the attack on Albany, Howe sought to capture Philadelphia the home of the Continental Congress. Howe won battles in September 1777 (at Brandywine and Paoli right near Philadelphia). Then in October 1777 Howe won at Germantown which allowed them to capture Philadelphia, forcing the Continental Congress to flee. **Howe and his army stayed in Philadelphia instead of going to Albany. 2 prongs down 1 to go. British took over Philadelphia (American Capital) British Victory
GENERAL BURGOYNE General Burgoyne s army moved very slowly, because Burgoyne had 30 wagons full of luxury food and clothes (hard to get through forests). The Green Mountain Boys chopped down trees across the path. (even slower0 800 men were sent to get more supplies, but they were easily defeated by a local militia group (red uniforms stood out in forest). Retreated to Saratoga.
SARATOGA TURNING POINT IN THE WAR! Burgoyne expected back up, but neither of the other two armies arrived. General Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold force Burgoyne to surrender On October 17, 1777, Burgoyne surrendered; over 5,700 British soldiers handed their weapons to the Americans. General Howe (the one that stayed in Philly) resigned, and was replaced by General Henry Clinton. American Victory
GENERAL HOWE IS REPLACED WITH CLINTON
VALLEY FORGE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92kznst5j2u
Valley Forge General Washington was forced to make winter camp about 20 miles from Philadelphia at Valley Forge. It was a miserable winter for the 10,000 soldiers of the Continental Army at Valley Forge. Many soldiers lacked shoes and warm clothing. Food was scarce. Diseases such as smallpox and typhoid fever swept through the camp. 2500 men died that winter from the cold, disease and malnutrition. Not a battle of men and arms, but of will, power, and stamina
Washington declared that no army had ever put up with such uncommon hardships with such spirit. Naked and starving as they are he wrote, we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and faithfulness of the soldiery. We had a hard duty to perform, and little or no strength to perform it with. Joseph Martin The only alternative I had, was to endure this inconvenience or to go barefoot, as hundreds of my companions had to, till they might be tracked by their blood upon the rough frozen ground. -Joseph Martin
FOREIGN HELP Marquis de Lafayette- Frenchman who read about the Declaration of Independence and came and joined Washington joined the Continental Army, without pay, and impressed the troops and Washington by living under the same conditions as the soldiers. He is an honorary citizen of the United States and an American Flag flies over his grave in Paris Named his son George Washington Lafayette Juan de Miralles- Convinces Mexico, Cuba, and Spain to give the Patriots money
VON STUBEN Friedrich Wilhelm Augustus von Stuben from Prussia joins the American army and spends the winter of 1778 training the troops Trained the men how to load guns until it became mechanical taught to load in 8 counts Trained how to act in groups Built confidence in soldiers and made them disciplined fighting machines
$$$$ PROBLEMS Continental Congress couldn t tax the states Borrowed money from states and foreign countries Congress printed money but it lost its value because there wasn t anything backing it up No one would use or accept American paper money so congress stopped printing it. Its not worth a continental = its not worth a dime