The American Revolution:

The Three Phases of the War (1775-1783)

The First Continental Congress 1774Important to remember: Show of colonial unity (12/13

sent reps) Sent a Declaration of Rights

and Grievances to the king Adopted the controversial

Suffolk Resolves Formed the Continental

Association to enforce economic sanctions

Agreed to meet in 1775 if necessary

Dr. Joseph Warren, author of the Suffolk Resolves

PHASE 1: New England

April 1775 - Action at Lexington & Concord. Massachusetts militiamen drive British troops back to Boston. The British suffer 73 dead, and 250 casualties during the engagement.

April 1775 – The Siege of Boston begins. Militiamen from across New England converge on Boston. Gen Gage now transitions from putting down a rebellion to withstanding a siege.

PHASE 1: New EnglandThe Second Continental Congress: Declaration of the Causes and

Necessities for Taking Up Arms calls for colonies to provide troops.

Virginian, George Washington, was appointed C-in-C of the Continental Army and dispatched to take command in Boston.

A plan to invade Canada was approved.

Sent the Olive Branch Petition to the King to intercede and protect colonial rights.

George Washington of Virginia accepts the appointment as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army.

PHASE 1: New EnglandThe Siege of Boston: Men under Knox’s command

transport captured British cannons from Ft. Ticonderoga to Boston during the winter of 1775-76.

In March 1775, Washington positions the cannons on Dorchester Heights to attack Boston.

The British evacuate Boston later that month.

Henry Knox of Boston

PHASE 1: New England

Goals for the Invasion of Canada:1. Possibly draw off British troops from the colonies.2. Possibly rallying the French inhabitants.

After extreme hardship/suffering, Arnold arrives at Quebec, where his weakened command participates in a failed assault on the city.

After capturing Montreal, Montgomery is killed at Quebec.

The Road to Independence The British recruited and deployed

Hessian soldiers. British agents were inciting the

Indians on the frontier to attack the Americans.

Virginia’s royal governor, Lord Dunmore, offered slaves their freedom in exchange for supporting the British.

The publication of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense

Hessian Soldier

See Harper’s Lecture NotesOn the Declaration of Independence

Problems Mobilizing for WarEconomic Challenges• How to finance the

revolution?• Continental Congress had to

power to tax.• Many colonies refused to

financially support the war.• Robert Morris creates &

manages the Bank of North America.

• Foreign loans are key to American success in the war.

Robert Morris, Revolutionary War Financier

Problems Mobilizing for WarMilitary Challenges• Washington faces problem of the

militia throughout the war.• Washington’s Continental Army

struggles with recruitment and retention throughout the war.

• In-fighting and political drama between Washington’s generals will be a constant struggle.

• Democratic minded colonists made military discipline difficult.

• Washington had virtually no naval support throughout the war.

American Society at WarWho was a Loyalist? (Estimated ⅓ of population)

Royal Officials, Anglican Church Officials, merchants whose businesses were dependent on Britain, some slaves, and many Indians.

Who was a Patriot? (Estimated ⅓ of population)

Aside from those opposed to British policies and seeking independence, colonists that were in debt to the British, colonists upset with the behavior and tactics of the British during the war, southerners that feared a slave rebellion.

Who remained Neutral? (Estimated ⅓ of population)German immigrants, Quakers, and other groups not interested or unwilling to take up arms for either side. Many of these groups will indirectly support the Patriots.

PHASE 2: The Middle ColoniesNew York Campaign:• Washington fights a series of

delaying actions as he withdraws across Long Island & Manhattan Island.

• British occupy New York. (NYC=British HQ)

• Washington avoids a direct confrontation with the British, but takes every opportunity to engage the British with asymmetrical warfare.

British troops landing in New York, September 1776

Washington achieves small, but symbolic victories at Trenton & Princeton during the winter of 1776-77.

PHASE 2: The Middle Colonies

British strategy to isolate New England:1. General Burgoyne

would attack south from Canada.

2. General Howe would drive north from NYC up the Hudson.

3. Combine forces and march into New England.

PHASE 2: The Middle ColoniesThe Battle of Saratoga

British General John Burgoyne American General Horatio Gates

PHASE 2: The Middle ColoniesThe Battle of Saratoga

Instead of following the plan, Howe transports his army by sea to the Chesapeake Bay to attack Philadelphia.

Isolated and cut-off, Burgoyne’s army fights a series battles around Saratoga, NY.

Burgoyne surrenders to Gates. Saratoga will serve as the turning

point of the war. In Feb 1778, the colonists sign the

treaty of alliance with France.

American General Benedict Arnold

PHASE 2: The Middle Colonies Howe defeats Washington at

the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown before occupying Philadelphia for the winter of 1777-78.

Washington and his army winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Prussian officer, Baron von Steuben is appointed by Washington to improve the training and drill of the army.

British General William Howe

PHASE 3: The Southern Colonies

The French alliance, growing sentiment against British policy in America, and an inability to destroy Washington’s army motivated British commanders to transition to a

Southern strategy in an effort to augment their forces with what they believe to be is a large population of American loyalists. After a few early British victories, the strategy proved ultimately to be a failure when loyalist support failed to materialize and many would-be loyalists and neutrals were driven into the Patriot camp by the dishonorable

and detestable British tactics and behavior.

PHASE 3: The Southern Colonies

Characteristics: Guerilla tactics Brutal attacks & reprisals British General Cornwallis

retreats across North Carolina into Virginia, where he

establishes a base at Yorktown.

The notorious British cavalry commander, Banastre Tarleton

PHASE 3: The Southern ColoniesWith support from both French ground and

naval forces, Washington besieges Cornwallis at Yorktown. The siege lasts for 1 month

before Cornwallis surrenders in Oct. 1781.

Peace Negotiations (1781-83)

Breaking with their French & Spanish Allies, the American delegation signs a separate peace with Britain in Nov. 1782. Key Provisions include: American independence Fishing rights An agreement to settle debts owed to the British and Loyalists that evacuated with the British.

On December 4, 1783, the last British troops left New York. Nineteen days later Gen. Washington resigned his commission and returned to Mount Vernon.

When King George III heard that Washington was going to do this he is reported to have said, “If he does this he will be the greatest man in the world.”