the fight for independence. continental army- colonial army set up by the second continental...
TRANSCRIPT
Key Words Continental Army- Colonial Army set up by
the Second Continental Congress Patriot- Person siding with the colonies Loyalist- Person siding with the British Olive Branch Petition- Loyalty to the king in
exchange for repealing the intolerable acts
Attempt at Peace The Second Continental Congress was
convened in Philadelphia after the battles at Lexington and Concord Sent the Olive Branch petition to King George III
The King was less than enthused Felt Colonies wanted their own empire Ordered 20,000 more troops to the colonies
Many were convinced that war could not be avoided
The Beginnings Volunteers known as the Green Mountain
Boys took fort Ticonderoga Captured the fort and its cannons, gun powder
and control of a key route to Canada The Second Continental Congress created
the Continental Army at this same time They appointed George Washington as its
commander
Advantages Patriots
Most colonial men owned rifles and were good shots
Patriots were defending their own land, homes and families while the Brits were paid soldiers
Home field advantage (knew the land) Could be immediately reinforced with supplies
Washington was a brilliant leader and tactician
Advantages The British
Far superior military Well trained army, best navy in the world Had some colonists support (Loyalists)
Mainly in the south Loyalists were tarred and feathered and had their homes
and possessions stolen by Patriots
Bunker Hill The Americans surrounded Boston
They did not let the British march out Colonel Prescott and 1,200 minutemen held Bunker Hill
The British attempted to take the hill but were turned back On the third try, the British took the hill The British lost 1,000 men
The Americans lost 400 This showed that the Americans could fight bravely
Also that the British would be very difficult to beat Washington began to train the army
Tough with colonial differences British set up a blockade and hired mercenaries
Independence Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” justified a
break from England The Continental Congress drafted a Declaration
of Independence It was written by Thomas Jefferson
Congress voted to separate from England on July 2, 1776 They knew they would be seen as traitors The declaration was ratified on July 4th
Triggered much celebration in the colonies
3 Parts Natural Rights
Declared that “all men are created equal” These are inborn rights
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness If these rights are not met, then the people have the
right to rebel British Wrongs
Disbanding Colonial Legislatures, sending troops in peacetime, limits on trade and taxation without representation
Declared independence as well as the rights of the colonies to carry on as a free and sovereign nation
Roles in the War Women
Women added men’s work to their own Planted and harvested crops Made blankets and uniforms, some even made cannons and
guns Betsy Ross sewed flags
Cared for the wounded soldier at the front, washed and cooked
Mary Ludwig Hayes (Molly Pitcher) carried water to the soldiers in the field
When her husband was wounded, she took his place and loaded and fired his cannon
This helped lead to more equality for women
Roles in War African Americans
The continental army did not allow African Americans to fight
The British offered to free slaves if they fought for them
In response, Washington allowed free African Americans to fight
Tough calls Fight for the Brits and be hanged by Patriots Fight for colonies and be captured and sold
Roles in the War Native Americans were wanted by both sides
British were more effective Convinced them that a Patriot victory would mean more
settlers moving west of the Appalachians Some, such as the Miami’s allied with the Patriots
Helped trick the British into surrendering fort Vincennes
New Spain Spain was neutral, but Bernardo de Galvez, the
Governor of Louisiana supported the Patriots Supplied them with guns, medicine and cloth He soon captured forts along the Mississippi and drove the
British from Western Florida. Galveston, Texas is named after him