THE A

MERICAN

REVOLUTI

ON

1775-1783

THE COMBATANTS

BRITISH ADVANTAGES

Army of Regulars

Top Navy in the world

30,000 Hessian – German mercenaries

50,000 Tories – American loyalist

Large industrial base

Money and Supplies

AMERICAN ADVANTAGES

3,000 miles of ocean

Home field advantage (defensive war)

Fighting for independence – Desire to be FREE

Leadership (Washington)

Possible French assistance

Guerilla tactics – shoot and run

April 19, 1775

First military engagement of the Revolution

Unclear start to a revolution

“The shot heard round the world”

LEXINGTON AND CONCORD

LEXINGTON

FIRST BATTLEWHERE EIGHTCOLONISTS ARE KILLED BY BRITISH SOLDIERS ON THEIR WAY TO CONCORD TO TAKE A COLONIAL MILITARY SUPPLY DEPOT

CONCORD

LOCATION OF THE COLONIAL MILITARY SUPPLY DEPOT THAT THE BRITISH TRIEDTO CAPTURE. LED TO THE CALLING OF THE 2ND CONTINENTAL CONGRESSOlive Branch PetitionRejected by England

North Bridge

THE SHOT HEARD ROUND THE WORLD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ikO6LMxF4

BREED’S HILL/ BUNKER HILL

June 17, 1775

British driven from Massachusetts (siege ends)

England ‘wins’ but loses ½ its men

Bloodiest battle of the war

British realize the scope of the revolution

BATTLE OF TRENTON

December 26, 1776Washington crossed the Delaware river during the winter Defeated the Hessiansthe American victory boosted Patriot morale

BATTLE OF SARATOGA

September 19 and October 7, 1777

Turning Point

American victory

French have confidence to support Patriots with supplies

Franco-American Alliance of 1778

COST OF WAR

During the war, the British navy blockaded, or cut off from outside contact, the Atlantic Coast, which severely disrupted American trade.

Necessities were scarce. A few colonists took advantage of these shortages by profiteering, or selling scarce items at unreasonably high prices. Washington suggested that profiteers should be hanged.

Even when goods were available, it was not always possible to buy them. Inflation, a steady increase in prices over time, reduced people’s ability to buy goods. In Massachusetts, for example, the price of a bushel of corn rose from less than $1 in 1777 to almost $80 in 1779.

VALLEY FORGE

December 19, 1777 – June 1, 1778

Low point for Continental Army

Suffered through the winter without food or supplies

3,000 soldiers die from starvation and disease

One of the biggest problems facing Washington and his troops was a lack of food and clothing.

YORKTOWN

October 19, 1781

Last major battle

Cornwallis cornered between land and sea

French and American army surround

TREATY OF PARISSeptember 3,

1783

Ends the American Revolution

Acknowledging the United States to be free, sovereign and independent states

American boundary: all the land from New England to the Mississippi River and north to the Great Lakes.

MAP OF BATTLES

REVERBERATIONS

The spread of the idea of liberty and equality

Influence the French Revolution