The American Revolution 1775-1783
Yorktown
-American victory in 1781 -General Washington's men and the French Army and Navy worked together to trap British General Cornwallis and defeat him. The British surrendered and negotiated for peace. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/siege-of-yorktown/videos/yorktown
General George Washington
-Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. Brilliantly led America to victory and freedom in the American Revolution. Became 1st US president. http://www.biography.com/people/george-washington-9524786#winning-independence
American Revolutionary War
-From 1775-1783 -8 years of war with Great Britain for Independence. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/american-revolution-history video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCj1xALT9aw
American Colonists Weaknesses (-)
-Not everybody wanted independence; about 1/3 of the people were against the war. -Congress had little power over 13 colonies, it could not tax them. -Therefore, they did not have enough money, weapons, food, clothing, ammunition, ships, etc. -The Continental Army was small, and relied on volunteers who did not get paid to fight. They often refused to fight for more than a year, and went home. -They were not well disciplined, and would not always follow orders they didn't agree with. -The US had a very small Navy.
Saratoga
-October 1777, American victory at battle of Saratoga, New York. -It was the turning point of the war because it showed the French that the Americans could fight the British. France officially supports America after this battle. -American General Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold defeat British General Burgoyne. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-saratoga
Valley Forge
-Place where Washington's Army spent the winter of 1777-1778, 1/4th of troops died here from disease and harsh winter conditions, Baron Von Steuben comes and trains troops.
American Colonists Strengths (+)
-Strong Leaders, such as General George Washington. -Courageous fighters with experience fighting against French and Indians. -They knew the land and how to survive in the woods. -They believed in their cause.
Britain's Strengths (+)
-Strongest Army and Navy in the world at the time. -Experienced and well trained troops. -As the wealthiest nation in the world, Britain could buy what it needed. -Ships could bring troops and supplies from place to place.
Britain's Weaknesses (-)
-The distance was 3,000 miles from America. -It took 2 weeks by ship to get to America -Commanders got orders from Britain which took a long time and were often out of date. -Fighting in America was difficult because it was 600 miles wide and 1,000 miles long. -The British did not have enough troops, so they had to hire 30, 000 Hessians (Germans) to fight for them, who did not always speak English.
Thomas Paine
-Wrote a pamphlet called THE CRISIS, "THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." He did it to help American morale and keep up the spirit to fight for the causes they believe in.
Philadelphia
A city in Pennsylvania, on the Delaware River. Established as a Quaker colony by William Penn and others in 1681, it was the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and the adoption of the Constitution in 1787. First capital of the U.S.
Salem Poor
A free black man who was honored for his bravery during the Revolution
Sybil Ludington
A young American patriot was like a female Paul Revere. At the age of 16, she rode to warn of the British approach.
Loyalists
Also known as Tories, the term refers to those Americans who remained loyal to Great Britain during the Revolution.
Benedict Arnold
American General who was labeled a traitor, but at first was a key leader who led victories early in the war. http://www.biography.com/people/benedict-arnold-9189320
Samuel Adams
American Revolutionary leader and patriot, Founder of the Sons of Liberty and one of the most vocal patriots for independence; signed the Declaration of Independence
Patriots
American colonists who were determined to fight the British until American independence was won
Benjamin Franklin
American patriot, writer, printer, and inventor. During the Revolutionary War he persuaded the French to help the colonists.
Alliance
An agreement between nations to work together for common interests
Redcoats
British soldiers who fought against the colonists in the American Revolution; so called because of their bright red uniforms.
Marquis de Lafayette
French soldier who joined General Washington's staff and became a general in the Continental Army.
Hessians
German troops who fought in the Revolutionary war on the side of Great Britain; Hessian troops were almost all paid mercenaries.
General Henry Clinton
He replaced General William Howe as Commander-in-Chief of British forces in the American Revolution. He shifted the focus of the war to the southern colonies.
General William Howe
He took command of British troops in North America after the Battle of Bunker Hill. He captured New York and Philadelphia, but botched the plan to isolate the New England colonies in 1777. He resigned in 1778.
Thomas Jefferson
He was a delegate from Virginia at the Second Continental Congress and wrote the Declaration of Independence. He later served as the third President of the United States.
Treaty of Paris
In 1783, The British sign a peace treaty ending the Revolutionary War and the 13 Colonies become independent. -America gains independence, the Great Lakes, and territory all the way from the Atlantic ocean to the Mississippi river. Spain gets back Florida. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCDcveZ2dBQ
Abigail Adams
John Adam's wife, she appealed to her husband to protect the rights of women
Trenton, N.J.
On Christmas night, 1776, Washington led 2,400 men across the Delaware River to attack the Hessians.
General Horatio Gates
Patriot general who defeated Burgoyne at Saratoga and made Burgoyne surrender his entire army; general of the Southern Campaign.
Baron Von Stueben
Prussian officer who trained Washington's army at Valley Forge.
Fort Ticonderoga
Situated on Lake Champlain and had many cannons and was captured by the Green Mountain Boys and Benedict Arnold. The cannons were moved to Boston where newly appointed general Washington set them upon Dorchester Heights and forced the British to retreat out of Boston.
Nathan Hale
a soldier of the American Revolution who was hanged as a spy by the British, famous quote:, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country"
Deborah Sampson
was a woman who disguised herself as a man in order to serve in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War
John Paul Jones
"I have not yet begun to fight" Patriot naval leader who commanded the American ship "Bonhomme Richard", which defeated the British ship "Sarapis" in 1779
Patrick Henry
"I know not what courses others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death" From a speech to the Virginia House of Delegates to convince them to support the fight for independence.
Bunker Hill
-June 17, 1775. -Also known as Breed's Hill. -British victory outside of Boston, but with heavy losses 1,054 troops killed or wounded. -Colonists ran out of ammunition but fought bravely. -The British left Boston after heavy losses. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-bunker-hill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHkQCfu2cwc http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/british-account-of-bunker-hill/
Declaration of Independence
-On July 4, 1776, it formally declares a revolutionary war of independence from England.
General John Burgoyne
British General who surrendered at Saratoga
General Charles Cornwallis
British general who fought the Patriots in the south at Yorktown and surrendered to George Washington. Surrendered on October 18, 1781.
Molly Pitcher
Heroine of the American Revolution who carried water to soldiers and took over her husband's gun when he was wounded.
John Hancock
Patriot leader and president of the Second Continental Congress; first person to sign the Declaration of Independence.