End of the Revolutionary War

End of the Revolutionary War

End of the Revolutionary War

Earlier Battles

• In the first few years, the Continental Army was not winning.

• The British army was better trained, equipped and fed.

• George Washington relied mostly on strategy in order to gain victories.

Earlier Battles

• Siege of Boston--when Washington had cannons placed on top of the hill and chased the British off into Canada (1776)

• Battle of Trenton--morale victory that boosted the self-esteem of a freezing and beat up army (1776)

• Battle of Saratoga--turning point of the war; with the victory, France joins in the fight (1777)

Multiple Choice

George Washington led the Continental Army over the frozen Delaware River on December 26, 1776. They successfully surprised the Hessians at the Battle of Trenton for a morale victory. What does it mean that it was a morale victory?

• The Continental Army had been very winning against the British and this strengthened their victories.

• The Continental Army captured the Hessian soldiers and kept them as prisoners.

• The Continental Army had not been winning and this victory boosted their self-esteem.

• The British Army forced the surrender of the Continental Army ending the war.

Battle of Yorktown

• September 28 to October 19, 1781

• Back in May, the British leader of forces in the South, Lord Cornwallis, moved his troops to Virginia.

• Combined French and American troops in Virginia kept them on the move until they were pushed into Yorktown, VA.

• Cornwallis tried desperately to keep a sea route open for communication.

Washington Applies Pressure

• First, he ordered French leader Lafayette to block the British from retreating by land.

• On August 21, over 6,000 combined American and French troops began a fast march to Virginia from New York.

• They then met up with a French fleet of 24 ships that created a blockade of the sea around the British.

No Where to Run

• By October, Washington had over 14,000 combined troops at Yorktown.

• Lord Cornwallis was trying to hold out for reinforcements, but it was too late.

•  Surrounded, outgunned, and running low on food, Cornwallis surrendered his entire army on October 19, 1777.

Multiple Choice

Who was the leader of the British Army at the Battle of Yorktown?

• George Washington

• Marquis de Lafayette

• Henry Knox

• Lord Cornwallis

Not Quite Over...

• Yorktown was the last major battle of the American Revolution.

• Battles did still break out mostly on the frontier and involved Native Americans.

• Battle of Blue Licks in Kentucky (August 1792) is considered the official last battle of the Revolution.

Multiple Choice

After Yorktown, the American Revolution was over and there wasn't any more fighting.

• True

• False

Decisions.Decisions.

• After the defeat at Yorktown, Parliament members began to support ending the war.

• The costs of the war were starting to mount up.

• King George III and Parliament had to decide if an ongoing war with the colonies and France would be worth the costs in the end.

Independence?

• The Continental Congress chose John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay to travel to Europe to negotiate peace with Britain.

• Franklin had been in France for most of the Revolution and was able to begin peace talks early.

• Negotiations kept getting stalled because Britain was refusing to recognize the United States as a free, independent country.

Multiple Choice

Why did King George III and Parliament start to consider ending the Revolutionary War?

• They believed America had fought hard for their independence.

• The war was starting to cost way too much.

• They were embarrassed that their leaders kept losing.

• Benjamin Franklin convinced them to give up.

Treaty of Paris

• Parliament got new leadership and soon decided to grant America their independence.

• The treaty was finalized and signed on September 3, 1783.

• It was officially accepted by the Continental Congress on January 14, 1784.

Terms of the Treaty

• Britain recognized the United States of America as an independent nation.

• Defined the borders of the United States

• Allowed Americans and the British to use the Mississippi River.

• Promised fair treatment to people in America who had supported Britain during the war.

Multiple Choice

What document officially ended the American Revolution?

• Declaration of Independence

• U.S. Constitution

• Olive Branch Petition

• Treaty of Paris

Multiple Choice

The Treaty of Paris officially recognized the United States as...

• forever belonging to Great Britain.

• now under control of France.

• an independent nation.

• colonies in rebellion.

Multiple Choice

The United States now had borders that stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the...

• Rocky Mountains

• Pacific Ocean

• Mississippi River

• Appalachian Mountains