American Revolutionary War1775-1783 - Unit 5

First Continental Congress

O In 1774 delegates met in Philadelphia to decide what to do about the situation.

O 56 delegates including John and Samuel Adams.

O One delegate wanted to make peace.O Patrick Henry said there was no way to avoid a

fight.O In the end they reached a compromise – O They decided to continue to boycott British

goods and warned colonial militias to be ready to fight.

O They sent delegates to the king asking for basic rights.

O The king refused.

John AdamsO Lawyer and politicianO Defended British soldiers

after the Boston Massacre

O Represented Massachusetts in the Congress

O Strong supporter for independence

Thomas Paine

O Wrote a pamphlet called Common Sense

O It was written in common language and distributed throughout the colonies

O Urged colonists to break free from Britain

“The British are Coming!”

O Local militia members began calling themselves minutemen because they would be ready at a minute’s notice.

O Much of the weapons and ammunition were stored in Concord.

O A British general decided to go raid the ammunition.

O The Sons of Liberty learned of the plan. O Sent men riding ahead to warn the

minutemen.

Paul RevereO Paul Revere rode

ahead to warn the minutemen.

O Many people made rides warning of the British coming.

The “Shot Heard round the World”

O The minutemen beat the British to the ammunition.

O They decided to make a line at Lexington to stop the British.

O The first shot of the Revolutionary War.

O The British marched on to Concord, few weapons remained.

Choosing SidesO Patriots – fought for

independence from Britain

O Loyalist/Tories – remained loyal to Britain

O Neutrals – chose neither side

Second Continental Congress

O In 1775 representatives from 12 colonies met in Philadelphia again.

O They had to decide how to react to the fighting.

O Congress made plans to create a Continental Army – chose George Washington to command the army.

O One last attempt at peace – Olive Branch Petition – King rejected the offer

George Washington

O A soldier in the French and Indian War

O Delegate to the First and Second Continental Congress

O Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army throughout the Revolutionary War

Second Continental Congress

O 1776 the Congress created a committee to write a document declaring independence from Britain.

O In reaction to King George III’s refusal to acknowledge the colonial requests

O John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson were among others in the committee.

O Wrote the Articles of Confederation which would serve as a new form of government for the young country.

Thomas JeffersonO A delegate to the First

and Second Continental Congress

O A member of the committee to write the Declaration of Independence

O Primary author of the Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence

O July 4, 1776O “All men are created equal”O Discussed unalienable

rights – which are basic rights guaranteed to people naturally

O These rights included – life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

O Listed grievances against the King of England

Grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence

O Taxation without representationO King has absolute powerO Colonists not allowed to speak out

against KingO Quartering Act forced colonists to

house troopsO Allowed homes to be searched

without a warrantO No trial by jury of peers

Washington Crossing the Delaware. (Battle of Trenton)

SaratogaO Considered a major turning point of the warO France joined the colonists after this

battle. O This tipped the scale in favor of the colonists

Benjamin Franklin

O He spent most of the Revolutionary war in France

O He represented the colonies

O He negotiated an alliance with France

O He negotiated the Treaty of Paris which ended the war

Winter at Valley Forge

O After suffering several defeats, Washington took his army to Valley Forge for the winter of 1777.

O Many of the men suffered frostbite and starvation

O The men were trained by a Prussian officer into a more professional army.

Victory at YorktownO Final battle of the Revolutionary WarO The battle lasted for weeksO The surrender of General Cornwallis

brought an end to the war

Treaty of Paris 1783

O Independence formally recognized by Britain

O New borders established

O North to CanadaO West to the Mississippi

River