Revolutionary War Battles Battle of Lexington and Concord

Revolutionary War Battles

Battle of Lexington and Concord April 19, 1775 • • • Start of Revolutionary War The British set out from Boston to capture rebel leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock in Lexington as well as to destroy the Americans store of weapons in Concord. The colonists were warned by riders including Paul Revere that the British Army was approaching Sam Adams and John Hancock were able to escape and local militia hid the weapons. British had to retreat back to Boston, Colonists harassed them all the way back and many died. SUMMARY: Colonists were warned of a British invasion by Paul Revere. A battle occurred (accidentally) and the Colonists won!

Battle of Bunker Hill June 1775 • • The British were trying to keep control of Boston and control its valuable sea ports. The British decided they wanted to set an army up on two hills, Bunker and Breeds, in order to gain a tactical advantage. Americans heard about this and wanted to take the fort! During the night they took the hills and set up huge cannons and mud ditches. The next day, British realized what happnened and they attacked. The Americans were doing well at first but ran out of ammunication s othey had to retreat. British took the hill over but lost almost 300 men SUMMARY: Colonists were sneaky tried to take high ground so they could take over Boston, but they weren’t well enough prepared and lost.

“These are the times that try men’s souls…”

• • Valley Forge September 1777 When General William Howe and his British troops took Philadelphia in September of 1777, General Washington was forced to make winter camp about 20 miles from Philadelphia at Valley Forge. It was a miserable winter for the 10, 000 soldiers of the Continental Army at Valley Forge. Many soldiers lacked shoes and warm clothing. Food was scarce. Diseases such as smallpox and typhoid fever swept through the camp. 2500 men died that winter from the cold, disease and malnutrition. During this winter, General Lafayette joined the Continental Army, without pay, and impressed the troops and Washington by living under the same conditions as the soldiers. Another important addition to the Continental Army was Baron Friedrich von Steuben. He knew how to train an army. Even under the hardships of the camp, he drilled the soldiers repeatedly during the winter so that by springtime the Continental Army had become a strong and disciplined fighting force. SUMMARY: This was the winter camp for the Continental Army, . Conditions were horrible and many, many people died. But they practiced hard there and became a great army.

Who are these Hessians? Hessians are soldiers from Germany. King George hired these soldiers to fight the colonists.

Surprising Them in their Undies! Battle of Trenton

Battle of Trenton December 1776 • • • On the night of December 25, 1776, George Washington crossed the freezing Delaware River to attack Hessians. Washington’s troops Then they marched nine miles in the early morning hours to reach Trenton at eight o'clock. The American troops surprised the Hessian mercenary soldiers in an early morning raid and the Americans captured nearly 1000 men. There were no American casualties. SUMMARY: The army, lead by Washington, crossed the Delaware in the middle of the night on Christmas to attack the Hessians, who held a town in New Jersey. Hessians almost immediately surrendered.

Battle of Saratoga October 1777 • • • The American forces were led by General Horatio Gates, General Philip Schuyler and General Benedict Arnold. General Burgoyne led the British forces. Gates lost the first battle and after a disagreement with Arnold about battle tactics, Gates relieved Arnold of his command. The British forces were exhausted but were ordered to attack Bemis Heights. While Gates defensive moves were effective, it was General Arnold who saw an opening to turn the battle into an offensive move. Despite having been relieved of his command, Arnold joined the battle anyway. His efforts were so successful and the British troops so beaten down that General Burgoyne was forced to surrender a few days at Saratoga. This victory was the turning point in the war of independence for the Americans. SUMMARY: This victory was the turning point in the war of independence for the Americans.

Surrender! Burgoyne is forced to surrender.

Thank You, France! • Upon hearing of the American victory at Saratoga, the French declared recognition of the United States of America and fully supported their war of independence.

Battle of Yorktown

Battle of Yorktown August-October 1781 • • The last major battle of the American Revolution was fought at Yorktown. Washington learned that the French Admiral de Grasse was sailing to Virginia to prevent the British army under the command of General Cornwallis from leaving Yorktown. He and the French General Rochambeau rushed their troops to Yorktown to trap the British and prevent them from escaping over land. Cornwallis was surrounded. The American and French troops gradually closed in on him. SUMMARY: Last great battle Cornwallis surrendered to Washington on in the Revolutionary War. Oct 19, 1781. General Cornwallis surrendered on Britain’s behalf.

Outcomes of the Battle Of Yorktown • The Colonial army wins the WAR!!! • Colonists are free of British Rule! No more King! • They are their own country

The World Turned Upside Down • The British band played this tune when the British surrendered at the Battle of Yorktown • The Six and a half years of war was over.

Treaty of Paris • The Treaty of Paris was the official peace treaty between the United States and Britain that ended the American Revolutionary War. • The treaty was negotiated in the city of Paris, France. • There were three important Americans in France to negotiate the treaty for the United States: John Adams, Ben Franklin and John Jay. David Hartley, a member of the British Parliament, represented the British and King George III. • After the British Army surrendered at the Battle of Yorktown it still took a long time for an agreement between Britain and the United States to be signed. It was around a year and a half later that King George finally ratified the treaty!

Major Points • The first point, and most important to the Americans, was that Britain recognize the Thirteen Colonies to be free and independent states. That Britain no longer had any claim on the land or government. • The second major point was that the boundaries of the United States allowed for western expansion. This would prove important later as the US continued to grow west all the way to the Pacific Ocean. • Other points in the treaty had to do with agreements on fishing rights, debts, prisoners of war, access to the Mississippi River, and the property of Loyalists. Both sides wanted to protect their citizen's rights and possessions. Each of the points is called an article. Today the only article that is still in force is article 1, which recognizes the United States as an independent country