revolution a war that changes a government
TRANSCRIPT
Revolution-
A war that changes a
government
Musket Bayonet
Weapons of the Revolution
• Well trained, experienced army
• World’s best navy
• Wealth
• Established government
• More weapons
• More supplies
• Knowledge of the land
• Good cause to fight for
• Allies
• Rifles
• Short lines of supply and communication
Patriots:
Loyalists (Tories):
Americans who supported Independence
Americans who supported the British
Thomas Paine
Common Sense
The Second Continental Congress
• All 13 colonies represented • Met in Philadelphia
• Included some brilliant men
The first two things they did were contradictory…
1. Created the Continental Army and Chose George Washington to be the Commander-in-Chief
He was chosen because he was:
• Experienced • Wealthy • Trusted • From Virginia
2. They Wrote the Olive Branch Petition
Fort Ticonderoga The Americans capture
much needed cannons there
May 10, 1775
Bunker Hill
Americans take position overlooking
Boston
The British attack
three times…
When the American
ammunition runs out.
Britain wins a “costly” victory
Casualties American : 450 British: 1054
The Siege of Boston
Washington tricks the
British into leaving
Boston
Without firing a shot!
This gives the
Americans hope!
The Declaration of Independence
The Committee:
Robert Livingston Roger Sherman
John Adams Benjamin Franklin Thomas Jefferson
Their Task:
Declare Independence And
Explain why
The Declaration has 4 main parts 1. Introduction
2. The Purpose of Government Government gets power from
THE PEOPLE
The government must protect basic rights
LIFE LIBERTY
PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
If a government does NOT do this, the people must get a new one that does.
“The Social Contract” The people and their government
have “a deal”
3. The Indictment A list of things the king did wrong
For Example:
4. The Declaration
Congress votes to accept the Declaration on July 4, 1776
Britain takes New York City
G.W. forced
to retreat through 3 states
for several months
Washington is desperate – needs a victory
Battle of Trenton
American victory over Hessians – hope is restored!
General Burgoyne’s Plan: Divide and Conquer!
Control the
Hudson Valley
Cut off New
England
General John Burgoyne “Gentleman Johnny”
VS.
General Horatio Gates “Granny Gates”
One British Army
Stopped at Ft.
Stanwix By
Benedict Arnold
A second Never goes
further than
Kingston
The Battle of Saratoga
Huge American victory – called the “Turning Point”
Casualties
U.S. - 330
Britain – 1135 6222 captured
Results of the Battle:
Burgoyne and his army surrenders British threat to New England is over France agrees to be our ally!
The Hero of the Battle was Benedict Arnold
He would later become a traitor – and join the British side.
-`- Benedict Arnold and West Point
Arnold agreed to give West Point to the British
for £ 20,000 and a command in
the British Army
The plot was exposed – and
Arnold escaped to join the British
Army
The British attack the South –
hoping for Loyalist support
The Battle of Yorktown
VS
…and the French Army and Navy!
General George Washington
General Charles Cornwallis
The British get trapped on the peninsula at Yorktown The French Navy defeats the British Navy –
so Britain is totally cut off!
Cornwallis surrenders!
• War is over • U.S. is an independent nation • U.S. gets all the land East of the Mississippi (except Florida)