Download - Battles of the Revolutionary War
1775-17811775-1781
Battles of the Revolutionary War
Lexington & Concord - April 19, 1775
Captain John Parker (P)Thomas Gage & Major Pitcairn
(B)British were after the colonists
supplies (weapons @ Concord).
They met the colonists at Lexington.
This was the first shot of the Rev. War. “Shot heard all around the
world!”
Fort Ticonderoga Fort Ticonderoga May 10, 1775May 10, 1775
Ethan Allen & Benedict Arnold (P) The fort was taken without a shot
fired.59 British cannons were captured and
were later used in Boston.
Bunker Hill (Breed’s Hill)Bunker Hill (Breed’s Hill)June 17, 1775June 17, 1775
Col. William Prescott (P)Gen. Thomas Gage & Maj. Gen.
William Howe (B)The British already failed two
times in capturing the hill.One the third time they
captured it.The Patriots ran out of
ammunition. “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.”
The British lose 1,000 men. Morale victory for Colonists –
believe in themselves, showed they could stand up to the British.
Common SenseCommon SenseJanuary 1776January 1776
Thomas Paine - Author126,000 copies sold First widely read
literature that openly pushed for independence from Britain.
Simply stated that it is common sense to break away from England.
Public opinion begins to swing to independence.
Declaration of Independence - July 4, Declaration of Independence - July 4, 17761776
Thomas Jefferson – wrote original draft and then presented it to Ben Franklin and John Adams who made revisions
Formal statement announcing our break with G.B. and new status as an independent nation.
Nation’s birth-date.New motivation in fighting the British.Act of Treason.
Long Island, NYLong Island, NYJuly - September 1776July - September 1776
George Washington (P)General Howe (B)32,000 British v. 19,000
Patriots.Colonists retreat into NJ then
into PA. British fail to pursue the
retreating colonists. Low point in the Revolution
for colonists.Washington almost loses his
army.
Trenton, NJTrenton, NJDecember 25, 1776December 25, 1776
George Washington (P)Colonel Rall (Hessians -> B)Washington plans surprise
crossing of Delaware River on Christmas night.
Hessians are partying on Christmas day.
Washington attacks drunken Hessians.
Washington saves army and gains much needed supplies.
Saratoga (Turning Point)Saratoga (Turning Point)September 19 - October 17, 1777September 19 - October 17, 1777
John Burgoyne (B) Benedict Arnold & Horatio
Gates (P)Burgoyne is defeated by
the Patriots who used guerilla warfare.
7,000 British surrender.Continental Army used
their strengths of knowing the land.
France enters the war due to this Patriot win.
Winter at Valley Forge Winter at Valley Forge Winter 1777-1778Winter 1777-1778
George Washington (P), Lafayette (France), Von Stueben (Prussian)
1,000 men die due to elements (no shoes, clothing, shelter etc.)
Soldiers are trained by Von Stueben
Spirits lifted by the spring
British could have attacked!
Treaty of Alliance is SignedTreaty of Alliance is SignedSpring 1778Spring 1778
Ben Franklin (P)Vergennes (Foreign
Minister)King Louis XVI France formally joins the
patriots and enters the war as an ally.
France’s support (money, weapons, navy etc.) now gives patriots the advantage.
Yorktown, VAYorktown, VASeptember - October 19, 1781September - October 19, 1781George Washington, Rochambeau
(P)Lord Cornwallis (B)British are trapped at the James
River.French Navy blocks the
Chesapeake Bay. Blocking the British from
leaving.8,000 British surrender.British decide they cannot win
and call it quits!Last major military engagement
of the war.
Treaty of ParisTreaty of ParisSeptember 3, 1783September 3, 1783
John Jay and Ben Franklin
A treaty is signed.Great Britain formally
recognizes the independence of America.
America receives all the territory gained between the Atlantic and the Mississippi River.