American Revolutionary War

1775-1783

Pre Revolutionary War

Revolutionary War

Pre Revolutionary War

Continental Congress I

Continental Congress I -First meeting was held in Philadelphia

September 1774-Meeting was NOT about becoming independent from the Crown -Wrote a letter to Britain expressing their concerns and disappointments with the “Acts” that passed tax burdens on the colonists-Continental Congress agreed to reconvene in six months in anticipation of Britain’s response

Continental Congress II -May 1775

-British parliament did not respond to the Continental Congress’ letter, the Crown saw the letter as a joke.-The Continental Congress made the decision to form a revolutionary government and to stay in session for the rest of the War.

Revolutionary War

Early Battles

Britain's Response

Colonists Loyalty to Britain

Division in the Colonies

Declaration of Independence

George Washington

Army VS. Militia

Weapons

Military Campaign

DIVISION IN THE COLONIES-The 13 colonies did not agree on the decision to go to war with Britain

-1/3 Supported independence-1/3 Supported loyalty to Britain (Loyalists)-1/3 Were Neutral

Treatment of the Loyalists

Treatment of the Loyalist -Loyalists were referred to as “Tories”

-Slang for a traitor-During and after the Revolution Loyalists were stolen from, beaten up, tortured and murdered. State governments looked in the other direction while this was happening -Britain made no effort to protect the loyalists-80,000 loyalists fled the United States to reside in Canada1,000 African American loyalists fled back to Africa

Early Battles Militia at Lexington Bridge

Dorchester Heights

Bunker Hill

Militia attack at Lexington Bridge

General Thomas Gage

And his British solders were met by militia resistance at a Lexington bridge

DORCHESTER HEIGHTSGreat Views of

Boston!!!Protection given by

14,000 militia men

camped out waiting

for a fight.

Birth place of the Continental Army On June 14, 1775

George Washington was

named the general of

the Continental Army.

We now celebrate this

as Flag Day

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Battle at Bunker Hill

Battle fought strategically

-Americans built trench style fortifications

-Waited to fire until they could see the whites of the British's eyes

Death Toll

British DeathsAmerican Death

400

1000

-It took three waves of British soldiers to penetrate American trenches

Britain’s response to the colonists revolt

-Britain saw the revolution as an open revolt against the crown-Immediately called for a naval blockade of the American coast line -Hired 50,000 German mercenaries and sent them to America -That’s 25 percent of the entire continental army!!!!

Britain put their foot down

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Colonist wanted to Stay loyal to Britain

-The Grand union flag has 13 stripes and Britain’s flag in the left hand corner-When British munitions were captured, they were inventoried and stored with hopes of returning them to Britain.-Washington was known to toast to King Gorge III, the monarch of Britain

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Declaration of IndependenceJuly 4, 1776

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George Washington

Best General in United States History

Lost more battles than he won

Washington was a symbol of

American Freedom

Created the continental army while in his tent

Washington read, “Common Sense” by Thomas Payne, to his

troops During the war

was Given Dictatorship

power over the colonies , but he didn’t accept it

After the war he went back

to working on his farm Next

Would George prefer a continental army or

one militia groupContinental Army Militia Group

Freedom is alive as long as the continental army is fighting

Highly trained professional

soldiers

3 year enlistment

period

20% of the Colonial

Fighting Force

80% of the Colonial Fighting ForceMade up of “Weekend Warrior” fightersOfficers were Ranked Based on Wealth not Military Experience

Drain on Supplies and Food, at one time

Washington Called the Militia Worthless

Served 3,6,9, or 12 Month Enlistments

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Weaponry

This is an example of

a rifled barrel which

was unusual and rare

Flintlock pistol, re

plica

of Washington's

Powder horn for

holding gunpowder

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Wounds Lead bullets flattened out in midair and caused large exit holes in

victims

Fatal Nonfatal

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MILITARY CAMPAIGN

Siege of BostonJune 1775-March 1776

Trenton-Princeton CampaignDec 76-Jan 77

New York Campaign July-August 1776

The Siege of Boston

The Continental Army Sat atop of Dorchester Heights for 9 months forcing

the British to leave Boston and move south to New York

New York Campaign

British forces headed south from Boston, Washington

gathered troops and met the British in New York.

Washington and his troops were chased out of New York.

Washington put in a letter of resignation, but the continental

congress urged him to stay

Trenton-Princeton Campaign

Washington’s surprise attack Christmas night on

a small garrison in Trenton Attacked Princeton on January

2nd 1777.Small wins in military context but large wins for morale and

the cause

Good Job George

FIN