BATTLES OF THE AMERICAN

REVOLUTION

TURNING POINT

Team Building

What was the most enjoyable thing

you did over winter break?

What was your favorite memory from

2019?

What is your number one wish for

2020?

Do Now

Which side would have been more likely to win the

Revolutionary War, the British or the Colonists?

Why?

What is a turning point?

TURNING POINT

TURNING POINT:

An event or battle that significantly changes the

outcome of history.

QUESTION:

What battle was the turning point of the Revolutionary

War?

BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL

Before:

British controlled

Boston

Continental militiamen

(citizen soldiers)

wanted to take Boston

and fortified hill

around the city.

BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL

During:

British planned on attacking hill to break siege. They marched up hill (arrogant move)

Continentals fought off first couple of attacks but eventually retreated

After:

British lost over a 1000 men during attack (heavy losses)

Colonists did not control Boston but showed courage and grew in confidence they could fight the British

British evacuate Boston

Knox takes 60 tones of artillery over numerous

mountain ranges

Over 10,000 militiamen along with artillery

surround the city of Boston

British forced to evacuate Boston

DEFENSE OF NEW YORK

Washington’s advisors said not to defend NYC

British controlled the water, so they could attack from anywhere…

Washington ignores and nearly entire army is destroyed

BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND

BEFORE:

British General Howe sends 20,000 troops into Long Island

George Washington sends roughly 10,000 troops to slow down the British advance on Manhattan

DURING:

Over 2000 Continentals troops are lost (killed or captured)

British only lose 300 men (with more troops still to land 15,000 roughly)

AFTER:

Washington realizes he cannot hold NYC and is forced to retreat

British control NYC

BATTLE OF TRENTON

BEFORE:

Washington retreated from NY with British following

Of the 5000 men fit to fight less than a 1/3 planned to

stay after enlistment ended

DURING:

Washington crossed Delaware River on Christmas night

2400 Americans attacked and caught Hessians

(Germans hired by England) by surprise.

BATTLE OF TRENTON

AFTER:

918 soldiers captured

Only handful of

Continentals killed

Captured much

needed supplies

Many colonists re-

enlisted

BATTLE OF PRINCETON

BEFORE:

Cornwallis (B) wanted to retake Trenton

Washington able to avoid larger encounter

BATTLE OF PRINCETON

DURING:

Washington attacked Cornwallis’ flank

Cornwallis turned back to attack by Washington escaped

AFTER:

Continentals lost 40, British lost 500

Cornwallis retreated to NY

Continentals' gained respect and more colonist enlisted

BATTLE OF BRANDYWINE CREEK

BEFORE:

Howe (B) wanted to

control Philadelphia

(colonial capital)

Washington (C) put

guards at river

crossings to stop Howe

foggy

BATTLE OF BRANDYWINE CREEK

DURING:

British sent men to attack as a diversion

Howe surprised Washington’s flank

AFTER:

Both sides suffered heavy losses

Colonists lost Philadelphia

Washington’s troops went from 15000 to 6000

SARATOGA

BEFORE:

British strategy= split

the colonies by

controlling the Hudson

River

First battle=draw

SARATOGA

DURING:

Burgoyne (B) held fort

but had less men 7000

Gates (C) had more

men 10000

Burgoyne (B) realizing

no reinforcements were

coming attacked

Continentals countered

and drove British back

SARATOGA

AFTER:

Burgoyne (B) forced to

surrendered over

5000 men

Victory convinced

France to join war and

help the colonies

VALLEY FORGE

DURING:

Continentals suffered in harsh winter encampments

Lacked supplies

German volunteer (Steuben) trained Continentals Army

AFTER:

These troops never lost another battle

BATTLE OF MONMOUTH, NJ

BEFORE:

British planned to

retreat from

Philadelphia to NYC

British worried about

French attack on NY

Washington caught

British on the move

BATTLE OF MONMOUTH

DURING:

Washington sent General Charles Lee (C) ahead to engage British

Lee retreated (Washington rallied troops)

Washington led counterattack

AFTER:

Tie

Even casualties

BATTLE OF CAMDEN, SC

BEFORE:

Continentals control North, British control South

Continentals hastily organized inexperienced army to take back SC

DURING:

Engaged smaller British force

Many Americans fled first battle

AFTER: Americans lost over 1000

British lost 300

VALLEY FORGE ANALYSIS

What was life like for soldiers who were stationed

at Valley Forge?

Was it good or bad?