United States History Chapter 6, Lesson 4

United States History Chapter 6, Lesson 4

The Revolutionary War

Multiple Choice

What were the two sides in the Revolutionary War?

• The British vs. The French

• The British vs. The Americans

• The French vs. the Germans

The Revolutionary War

• At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, there were clear differences between the British and colonial forces

• Key strengths and weaknesses helped decide the outcome of the war

• In this chapter, we're going to get into some of those differences

The British Take NYC

• George Washington moved several thousand American soldiers to New York

• He was sure the British would try to take control of the New York harbor

• If the British were successful, the colonies would be split into two parts and greatly weakened

The British Take NYC

• British general William Howe and his brother, Admiral Richard Howe, arrived on Staten Island in the New York harbor in July of 1776

• General Washington had been correct, and he was prepared to defend the city

• King George III offered one last chance for peace

What was his offer?

• General Howe announced that all crimes against Great Britain would be pardoned if the colonists surrendered

• Basically, they wanted the Americans to admit that they were wrong, and the whole thing would go away

• The king's offer angered the Americans, and they refused it

The King's Offer

• After the Americans refused the king's offer of peace, General Howe prepared his large army for battle

• They attacked with full force

• The Americans were driven off of Long Island

Multiple Choice

To review, what does it mean to pardon someone?

• To forgive their crime

• To forgive their debt

• Neither of these answers

Nathan Hale

• Nathan Hale was a man who proved himself both at the battle of Bunker Hill, and now in this seige of New York

• A siege is when an army prevents people in a fort or city from leaving

• This is done in an attempt to capture the fort or city

• Nathan Hale showed a lot of courage during the siege on New York

Nathan Hale

• Hale offered to go behind enemy lines on Long Island to gain information for General Washington

• Unfortunately, he was caught and ordered by General Howe to be hanged

• According to legend, as he was about to die, he said, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."

The British Take NYC

• The Americans were forced beyond New York City

• George Washington realized that he could not win the battle

• He led a retreat across the Hudson River

• This prevented the remaining members of his army from being captured or killed

What did they do after that?

• Washington led a surprise attack on Trenton, New Jersey, on December 25, 1776

• He guided his troops through a blinding storm across the icy Delaware River

• He defeated the Hessians

• The Hessians were soldiers from Hesse, Germany, that were hired by the British

What did they do after that?

• Washington and his men then went on toward Princeton, New Jersey

• One week later, they defeated three enemy regiments at Princeton

• At this time, when Americans needed hope, the two victories were of great importance

• 
  

Multiple Choice

What was the name of the city that George Washington was afraid that the British would attack?

• St. Louis

• Philadelphia

• New York City

Multiple Choice

The British hired soldiers from _____ to fight the Americans.

• Germany

• France

• Russia