Battles of the Revolutionary War

Battle of Bunker Hill (Breed’s Hill) • British General- Thomas Gage• He and his men are cooped up in Boston• They decide to attack the militia-men who were

mobilizing near Breed’s Hill. (North of Boston) • Gage marches up 2,400 men on June 17, 1775.

Battle of Bunker Hill (Breeds Hill) Continued• Colonist 450 Causalities and the British 1,000 • Proved to be the DEADLIEST battle of the War

Defeat in New York• British decide to stop rebellion by isolating New

England• 32,000 British soldiers and Hessians take New York,

summer 1776• Many of Washington’s recruits killed; retreat to

Pennsylvania

32,000 23,000

The Battle of Trenton• Christmas 1776, Washington crosses Delaware River into New

Jersey• Washington surprises Hessian garrison, wins Battle of Trenton • Eight days later, Americans win Battle of Princeton against British

On December 25, 1776, Washington and his troops crossed from Pennsylvania into New Jersey in order to get a sneak attack on Hessian soldiers at Trenton

•The icy river was challenging and it took 10 hours to get all the troops, horses and cannons across the river.• Washington, hoping for a night attack, could’ve turned back, but fearing his men would revolt if forced to go back over the river they just crossed, they pressed on, starting the march to Trenton at 3am.

Pennsylvania side of Washington’s Crossing• The PA side has a lot of history enrichment. • There are replicas of the boats used during Washington’s Crossing,

detailed maps, and even recreations of how the town looked at the time! • They also have fabulous events all throughout the year including

reenactments!

The bridge marks the spot where Washington Crossed!

Washington’s Crossing, Emmanuele Leutz, 1851

First of all, it was night.

James Madison?

The boat

George Washington

The Fight for Philadelphia• Gen. William Howe beats Washington at Brandywine, PA, summer 1777• Howe takes U.S. capital, Philadelphia; Continental Congress flees

Victory at Saratoga• Gen. John “Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne leads British,

allies south from Canada.• Burgoyne loses repeatedly to Continental Army, militia • Surrounded at Saratoga, Burgoyne surrenders to Gen. Horatio

Gates

Starts out with 8,000 troops!

October 17th, 1777

DO NOW

Why does the Battle of Saratoga become labeled as a “Turning Point” in the war? What is changing after the Battle of Saratoga?

A Turning Point• Since 1776, French secretly send weapons to Americans• French recognize American independence, sign treaty, February 1778 • France agrees no peace until Britain recognizes U.S. independence

Marquis de Lafayette• Young, idealistic French aristocrat• Joins Washington’s forces right before Valley Forge• Lobbies for reinforcements from France

Winter at Valley Forge• Valley Forge—site of Continental Army’s winter

camp (1777–1778)• Of 10,000 soldiers, more than 2,000 die of cold

and hunger

The War Moves South

Treaty of Paris (1783): Main Points

• Says its time to moooove on! • Confirms American Independence• Defines new boundaries

• Atlantic Ocean to Mississippi River• Canada to Florida