Revolutionary War

Common Sense was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine. It encouraged Patriots to fight for their independence from Great Britain.

Declaration of Independence was a document that listed reasons why America should have independence and why King George was unfit to be the leader of free people. representatives from all 13 colonies signed this. It was written by Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President of the United States.

The battles of Lexington and Concord were pivotal for the American’s victory. The Patriots were prepared for a sneak attack on the British. Paul Revere rode on his steed through the night yelling: “The British are coming! The British are coming.” Then out of nowhere a shot made the British start shooting. Nobody knows who shot it, but this shot is known as the Shot Heard Around the World. The British won in Lexington. A few miles later they realized they had little weapons and ammo because the Americans stole it. They started to burn wooden ammo crates and farming tools. The British marched up to Lexington where they were met with a rude awakening. All of the minutemen acted like they were doing everyday things, when suddenly they would pull out a gun and shoot a British! The Americans forced the British to retreat and sent them home running. They had won that day.

Minutemen- Soldiers that couldbe ready in a minute or less.

Boston Massacre was the death of five colonists on March 5th, 1770. It started with colonists yelling at British Soldiers. When the soldiers ignored the yelling the colonists started throwing snowballs. At that point the British were annoyed and open-fired on the colonists. When the smoke was cleared five people were dead, of those was Crispus Attuck, an African-American sailor. Also an innocent bystander.

On June 16, 1775 American soldiers made a fort on top of Breed’s hill. They threatened to attack the British ships from that hill, almost daring the British to come get them. The British were angry and marched to attack the Americans. After two rounds of the British marching up the hill and the American’s destroying their troops 2,300 British were dead and 1,054 wounded. When British General Howe prepared for a third attack he found a surprising sight. The Americans were gone! They had retreated down the other side of the hill, they knew they had won the battle.

American Strengths Willing to do die for

freedom Had a strong

military leader (George Washington)

Received help from other countries

American Weaknesses Didn’t have a lot of

money Most of the army

wasn’t trained, they had other jobs

Didn’t have a lot of guns or ammo.

On December 26, 1776 the Hessian’s were enjoying a nice Christmas dinner. The Americans had other plans. George Washington crossed the Delaware river to get to Trenton, New Jersey… on Christmas! It was unheard of to attack on a holy day. Washington took over 800 troops and didn’t lose a single one.

The Battle of Saratoga was a major turning point for the Americans. They were angry and wanted revenge on the British for past losses. They wanted to show they were not the underdogs any more, that they could put up a fight and win. They did just that, they won the war in Saratoga, New York that lasted about 2 months (Sept. and Oct. 1777).

British strengths Trained army Had a lot of money,

resources, guns, etc.

Had a very large army and strongly out numbered the Americans.

British Weaknesses Their leader actually

never set foot in America (King George)

Had a long way to travel overseas.

Cost a lot of money to pay for the army and resources.

The British soldiers knew they lost up in New England, so they ran down south to Virginia. They thought they would be safe, but what they didn’t know was that the Americans hired soldiers that worked for the Americans, but weren’t in a traditional army. These soldiers performed ‘hit and run’ missions, attacking the British and running away.

The British ran south for safety from the Americans in Virginia. The Americans used their location against them, they blocked the ocean with 29 French warships to prevent the British from receiving or sending any messages to King George. They had been cornered, the only choice now was to fight. They British eventually gave up and surrendered to the Americans.

At the end of the war the British, American, and French leaders signed a document that said all Loyalists would get the land that the Patriots took, all men would be treated fair, and that Great Britain would acknowledge America as an independent country. General Howe refused to sign the document, saying he was “ill”.

Rebels

Minutemen

Patriots

Yankees

Lobsterbacks

Redcoats

British

Tom’s