Battles of the Revolution Battles of Revolution Colonies
Battles of the Revolution
Battles of Revolution • Colonies are a literal powder keg – 2 nd Continental congress urged to mobilize men – due to increased authority • Lexington & Concord • April 4, 1775 – British mobilized to stop colonial military movements – – minute men British suppress rebellion in Massachusetts Seize “rebel rousers” Destroy military supplies • April 18, British mobilize towards Lexington – Colonists hear of the plan – send Paul Revere – Famous Paul Revere’s ride • Revere awakens the Colonists of British movement 12: 00 am April 19 – Minute men assemble – At dawn British arrive to find minute men assembled – Intended to be a silent protest against British march; halt the British advance
Battles of the Revolution • Americans commanded to disperse “You dogs, run!” – Americans turn to disperse – but a shot “rings out” – No one knows who fired • British attack, kill 8, wound 10 – March to Lexington to destroy supplies – Met with colonial resistance – British retreat and harassed by colonists; attacked – British chased all the way back to Boston; suffering casualties – 250 British deaths to Colonists 93
Battles of Revolution • June 17 th 1775 – Bunker Hill • Continental army mobilized to Boston – Reinforce the high ground (Breed’s hill) • British reinforcing through Boston – William Howe, Henry Clinton, John Burgoyne – Show of force – Colonists won’t fight • Colonists “spoiling for a fight” • Joseph Warren “The British say we won’t fight; by heavens, I hope I shall die up to my knees in blood” – British open with a huge frontal assault - 2, 200 troops – British navy fires upon hill to weaken fortifications
Battles of the Revolution • Continental Army waited to fire – “Whites of their eyes” – 15 – 20 paces colonist deliver a blistering volley – British retreat – regroup and attack again – British expelled - retreat • Third charge – Colonist had little to no ammo – abandoned their fortified hill – British were mortified – “A dear victory – another such would have ruined us” loss of men – British lost 1, 054 troops; Colonists 400
Battles of Revolution • Legacy of Bunker Hill • First: British generals became more cautious – High number of casualties – suffered by British – “no ragtag army • Second: all able body men required to enlist – divided loyalists & patriots • War is fought in seasons • Winter time is a down time – War is fought Spring – Fall • Continental army fluctuates; sowing seed – harvest time • Continental Army is citizensoldier
Battles of Revolution • July 1776 • Amassed red-coat army lands in New York – August 32, 000 troops – Biggest army amassed in 18 th century • Objective – capture Boston – Boston = head of the rebellion – severe it – conquer the rebellion • General Washington has 19, 000 men – retreats from Boston – Can’t defend N. Y. – abandon Boston to British – Retreats across Hudson – down to Trenton – Delaware River – British operate out of New York – Continental army out of New Jersey » Christmas 1776 – Washington crosses Delaware River; 2, 400 troops » Attacks British/Hessian troops » Routes the British
Battles of Revolution • Behind the lines • Problems of finance – Congress struggled to provide army with supplies – States barely contributed their parts in carrying out the war – Congress printed $25 million dollars in paper money to pay for war » Constant deserters fled the dire circumstances of the continental army • Civilian hardships – British occupied all major ports – Cities & villages plundered » Livestock confiscated » Families disheveled – father’s killed in war • Profiteering – opportunity for self-aggrandizement – New opportunities for get rich quick schemes – congress needed supplies – Trade with other nation increased » Prominent & well to do Colonists served as middle men – too advantage of colonists » Bushels of wheat sold for $80 dollars
Battles of Revolution • John Burgoyne • Bisect the colonies – Southern advance from Quebec; second force from Oswego – Burgoyne w/ 7, 000 men set off down Hudson river » Too many supplies, rough terrain – August 1777 » Oriskany N. Y. British/Colonists clash – colonist reinforce Ft. Stanix – British lose – General William Howe was to attack from the south » Decides to attack Philadelphia; hopes of British Loyalist help capture city – Burgoyne was routed at Freeman farm battle – retreats to Ticonderoga (Saratoga) Sept. 1777 – Burgoyne surrenders Oct. 1777 • Saratoga – Importance • Brought French alliances & supplies • 1778 Treaty of Amity & Commerce – Colonies recognized as the United States of America • France sent navy and troops to America
Battles of Revolution • 1778 shift in focus • Battles rage in the South – British believe there is a large loyalist power – British take a defensive stand in North – abandon New York; retreat to New York • 1778 British forces took Savannah Georgia – Captured Charleston S. C. – plundered houses; » Largest loss of the war for Colonists – Surrender turns to “savagery” killing the colonists – Kings Mountain » British chase down the Colonists » Colonists rise up & pester the armies in the South » Swamp Fox & Gamecock – guerilla bands – attracted many militia of south
Battles of Revolution • 1781 Yorktown • British Cornwallis & Arnold retreat to York town – French land a fleet of 6, 000 men – French navy sails for Chesapeake region (De Grasse) • Sept. 6, 1781 • Americans & French attack Cornwallis & Arnold – De Grasse attack British fleet • Yorktown is a battle of attrition Sept. 6 – 28. – Oct. 14 major American/French push on British left and British line retreats – Oct. 16 th the British counter – fail to retake the lost position. • British surrender – Oct. 17 th 1781 – War ends – America gains independence – Nov. 1782 U. S. & Britain sign a Treaty (Treaty of Paris) » Mississippi agreed as the foremost boundary
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