Lexington Green

Old North Bridge

The Road Back

Battle of Lexington and Concord

Battle of Lexington and Concord: First battles of the War of Independence: Major General Thomas Gage sent troops to capture two rebel leaders: John Hancock and Sam Adams. On April 19th, the redcoats met the Minutemen on Lexington Green, someone fired a shot and war began. British troops routed the militia, but suffered over 250 casualties on their return to Boston. 93 colonials died in the battles. With shots finally fired, all of New England prepared for war. Two expeditions, one from the Green Mountain part of New Hampshire (Vermont) led by Ethan Allen, and one from Massachusetts led by Benedict Arnold planned to attack a British outpost on Lake Champlain, Fort Ticonderoga. The forces met in May 1775 and with help of local spies the colonials overpowered the British garrison. Winning the fort itself was less significant than taking what was in it: 174 artillery pieces and a huge cache of ammunition. The large guns, by mid-June would be transported back to Boston. In a daring nighttime artillery assault, George Washington's Continental Army moved the guns to Dorchester Heights, south of the city, thus holding the highest land in the sector and putting important British installations in range.

The other colonial regions were less united in their response to Lexington and Concord. In some, patriots organized the militia, while Tories (a.k.a. loyalists) opposed war.

The other colonial regions were less united in their response to Lexington and Concord. In New York, patriots organized the militia, while loyalists sent a letter to Gage asking him to suspend further attacks until orders came from England. New Jersey was split between patriots and Tories, led by Governor William Franklin. Quaker Pennsylvania divided between pacifists and fighters, while the rest of the colony divided into patriots, led by Franklin, and loyalists, led by John Dickinson.In the Chesapeake, Maryland opposed revolution, while Virginia (and especially Patrick Henry) supported it. A month before Lexington, Henry urged the House of Burgesses to organize a militia, giving his oft-quoted speech, “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

On May 20th, Mecklenburg County issued four resolutions and declared its independence: “We do hereby declare ourselves a free and independent people; are, and of right ought to be a sovereign and self-governing association, under the control of no power, other than that of our God and . . . Congress: To the maintenance of which Independence we solemnly pledge to each other our mutual co-operation, our Lives, our Fortunes, and our most Sacred Honor.”

Loyalism was stronger in the Lower South, particularly in the back-country among the Scots-Irish who distrusted the Low Country planters. But a strong patriot contingent also existed in the Carolinas, as well as Georgia. On May 20th, Mecklenburg County issued four resolutions and declared its independence: “We do hereby declare ourselves a free and independent people; are, and of right ought to be a sovereign and self-governing association, under the control of no power, other than that of our God and . . . Congress: To the maintenance of which Independence we solemnly pledge to each other our mutual co-operation, our Lives, our Fortunes, and our most Sacred Honor.”

“There is something charming to me in the conduct of Washington: a gentleman of one of the first fortunes upon the continent, leaving his delicious retirement, his family and friends, sacrificing his ease and hazarding all in the cause of his country.” John Adams

Second Continental Congress: Meeting, beginning in May 1775 in Philadelphia, after the Battles of Lexington and Concord, it was the first to include delegates from all of the colonies. The delegates were split. There was strong sentiment to avoid further conflict, but preparedness was important. The Congress named George Washington as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.

“ Do not fire until you see the whites of their eyes.” Colonel William Prescott

Battle of Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775): First major battle of the war; 2,200 Redcoats fought to take the heights north of Boston. Overdressed on a blistering hot day and with the colonists holding the better position on Breed’s Hill, wave after wave of British soldiers attacked and was mowed down. The British won the battle but it was a costly victory; they suffered 1,054 casualties.

“ Do not fire until you see the whites of their eyes.” Colonel William Prescott

Battle of Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775): First major battle of the war; 2,200 Redcoats fought to take the heights north of Boston. Overdressed on a blistering hot day and with the colonists holding the better position on Breed’s Hill, wave after wave of British soldiers attacked and was mowed down. The British won the battle but it was a costly victory; they suffered 1,054 casualties. After Bunker Hill, John Dickenson tried once again to restore peace. He wrote the “Olive Branch Petition,” sent to England on July 8th, 1775. But showing the split in Congress, Thomas Jefferson wrote a companion piece that explained the action of forming colonial militias: On the Necessity of Taking Up Arms, July 1775.Ironically, the Olive Branch Petition reduced the colonies’ ability to negotiate because if the king rejected it, then there would be little for the colonies to do but either give in or become independent.In August, King George III called the colonials rebels and rejected the petition. Instead, he turned to Europe for troops. Prussia, Russia, and Holland rejected his entreaty, but several German principalities and city-states complied, most notably the state of Hesse, which supplied nearly 13,000 Hessian mercenaries.

In August, King George III called the colonials rebels and rejected the petition. Instead, he turned to Europe for troops. Prussia, Russia, and Holland rejected his entreaty, but several German principalities and city-states complied, most notably the state of Hesse, which supplied nearly 13,000 Hessian mercenaries.

John Adams: Boston lawyer, led Independence Movement at Second Continental Congress. Although short in stature, he had a strong mind, a huge ego, and a way of driving his colleagues crazy with sheer force of character. He was ambassador to Britain during the Confederation era, 1st Vice-POTUS and 2nd POTUS.

Thomas Jefferson: Main author of the Declaration of Independence, inventor, writer, and musician. He was ambassador to France during the Confederation era, the first Secretary of State, second Vice-POTUS, and third POTUS.

The Battle of Moores Creek Bridge

• In the year following the Battle of Bunker Hill, the war spread slowly north and south. Loyalists and Patriots clashed from Maine to Georgia.

• February 27, 1776 1st Battle of the American Revolution took place at Moores Creek Bridge near Wilmington.

• Governor Josiah Martin had a plan to unite NC Loyalist, Scots-Irish settlers, with British troops . His plan would restore control of the Southern colonies to British control.

• Patriots hid along the banks of Moores creek in order to prevent the Loyalists and British from meeting. Patriots took the planks off the bridge and greased the supporting logs with animal fat and soap creating a “killing zone”.

• 50 Loyalists were killed or wounded while the Patriots lost one man.

• Called the “Lexington and Concord of the South”

• Helped prevent the British from gaining control in the South.

Battle of New York• The British had been driven out of Boston but they would not

give up the colonies with out a fight. In the summer of 1776, General William Howe decided to attack New York.

• Washington moves his army to New York to defend the city but the British win 3 battles; the Battles of Long Island, Brooklyn Heights, and Harlem Heights.

• By November 1776 Long Island, New York City, Fort Washington, Westchester County and Fort Lee in New Jersey were under British control.

• General Washinton led his army through New Jersey and across the Delaware river into Pennsylvania.

• The Patriot side thought they were close to losing the war. In response Thomas Paine writes The American 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 it now, • deserves the love and thanks • of man and woman. • Thomas Paine, The American Crisis

Battles of Trenton and Saratoga

• Christmas night 1776• General Washington attacks a group of

Hessians, German mercenaries, at Trenton, New Jersey.

• It was a much needed victory.

• October 17, 1777: Patriot forces beat the British at the Battle of Saratoga.

• This battle is considered the turning point of the American Revolution.

Declaration of Independence: Founding document of the U.S. signed on July 4, 1776. It was written by committee (Ben Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston) with most of the work done by Jefferson: the document is in four parts:

1. a preamble, offering an introduction as to the purpose of the document

2. explanation of natural rights, based on Locke's “social contract:” life, liberty, pursuit of happiness

3. presentation of the list of complaints against King George III 4. statement of intent, i.e. the actual declaration that the colonies are sovereign and independent

The War in the South: American troops were commanded by Nathaniel Greene (called Washington’s “ablest general”). After Cowpens, King’s Mountain, Greene’s troops chased the retreating British to Guilford Court House (Greensboro) where another costly victory for the British marked the beginning of the end British control in the U.S.

Battle of Yorktown (1781): Just miles from the site of Jamestown, the U.S., under George Washington and with considerable help from the French, defeated the British after a long siege and Cornwallis surrendered, ending the war.

Treaty of Paris (September 1783): Treaty ending the War of Independence, negotiated by Ben Franklin, John Jay, and Henry Laurens: with it the U.S. gained control of all the land east of the Mississippi River, north of Florida, and south of British Canada; U.S. gained fishing rights in the Grand Banks. In November, the British evacuated New York City. A month later, General Washington resigned his commission as Commander of Continental Army, showing that a civilian government would run the U.S.