The American Revolution

The American Revolution

The Revolutionary War (1775-83), also known as the American Revolution, arose from growing tensions between residents of Great Britain’s 13 North American colonies and the colonial government, which represented the British crown

Causes of the American Revolution

• French and Indian War (Native American)

• Boston Tea Party (The Tea Act)

• Boston Massacre (Intolerable Acts)

• The Declaration of Independence (Government)

Declaring Independence

When the Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia, delegates–including new additions Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson–voted to form a Continental Army, with Washington as its commander in chief.

Multiple Choice

George Washington required the inoculation of which disease to the Continental Army to prevent deaths.

• The Plague

• The Spanish Flu

• Small Pox

• Diphtheria

Continental Generals

• Nathanael Greene (Washington's Subordinate)

• Benedict Arnold (Considered Traitor)

• Horatio Gates (Saratoga)

• Marquis de Layfatte (French General)

Washington's First L

 On June 17, in the Revolution’s first major battle, colonial forces inflicted heavy casualties on the British regiment of General William Howe at Breed’s Hill in Boston. The engagement, known as the Battle of Bunker Hill, ended in British victory, but lent encouragement to the revolutionary cause. 

Battle of Bunker Hill

• British Government sends fleet of 34,000 troops (New York).

• Significant Damage done towards British despite loss

• Patriotic Dedication could overturn British Superiority

Multiple Choice

The Battle of Bunker Hill was also referred to as what?

• Greed's Hill

• Breed's Hill

• Howe Hill

• Bunker Hill

Casualties on Christmas

Across the Delaware River, Washington fought back with a surprise attack in New Jersey, on Christmas night and won another victory at Princeton to revive the rebels’ flagging hopes before making winter quarters at Morristown.

Turning Point Saratoga

British strategy in 1777 involved two main prongs of attack aimed at separating New England (where the rebellion enjoyed the most popular support) from the other colonies.

Multiple Choice

What City and River did George Washington plan a surprise attack on Christmas Night?

• New York and Hudson River

• North Carolina and Mississippi River

• New Jersey and Delaware River

• Virginia and Delaware River

Washington gets the Rebound

 The British defeated the Americans at Brandywine Creek, Pennsylvania, on September 11 and entered Philadelphia on September 25. Washington rebounded to strike Germantown in early October before withdrawing to winter quarters near Valley Forge.

France Comes Back

 The American victory in Saratoga would prove to be a turning point of the American Revolution, as it prompted France to enter the war openly on the American side, though it would not formally declare war on Great Britain until later on

Multiple Choice

What War before the American Revolution was the war where France lost most of it's possessions to the British?

• Seven Years War

• Battle of Quebec

• Battle of Fort Duquesne

• Battle of Bunker Hill

Multiple Choice

This early American War General switched sides from the United States and joined the British Army and was considered a traitor?

• Nathanael Greene

• Horatio Gates

• Benedict Arnold

• Marquis de Lafayette

Stalemate in the War

• Washington's troops benefited from winter military training (Steuben)

• Washington attacked the British when trying to Withdraw

• A joint attack between Americans and French settled in stalemate with British

Battle of Yorktown

This is the battle where British General Lord Charles Cornwallis surrendered his army to George Washington's army and French allies in 1781.

Revolutionary War Comes Close to an End

Supported by a French army commanded by General Jean Baptiste de Rochambeau, Washington moved against Yorktown with a total of around 14,000 soldiers, while a fleet of 36 French warships offshore prevented British reinforcement or evacuation. Trapped and overpowered, Cornwallis was forced to surrender his entire army on October 19.

Treaty of Paris

British and American negotiators in Paris signed preliminary peace terms in Paris late that November, and on September 3, 1783, Great Britain formally recognized the independence of the United States in the Treaty of Paris. 

Multiple Choice

Which American victory during the American Revolution prompted France to join the War against Great Britain?

• Battle of Yorktown

• Battle of Saratoga

• Battle of Bunkerhill

• Battle of Brandywine