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Explain issues surrounding the important events of the American revolution
Battles of Lexington and Concord – 1775
1st battles of the war; (“The shot heard ‘round the world”)
Declaring independence – 1776
reaction to King George III’s refusal to acknowledge the colonial requests/demands, “dissolve the political
bands” with Britain, provided philosophy for the establishment of the new nation (“all men are created
equal and endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and
pursuit of happiness”), and listed grievances against the King of England
Battle of Saratoga – 1777
turning point of the war; France joined the colonists after this victory, tipping the scale
Battle of Yorktown – 1781
surrender of Cornwallis brought end of war
What effect did the resolution of the war have on the balance of power in North
America?
The boundaries of the United States extended to Canada in the North, the Mississippi River in the West,
and Florida in the South. Spain controlled everything west of the Mississippi and Florida. England maintained control of Canada.
What role did American allies play in the Revolutionary War?
The Marquis de Lafayette –
a French aristocrat who played a leading role in two revolutions in France and in the American Revolution.
He respected the concepts of liberty and freedom and constitutional government. Between 1776 and 1779
he fought in the American Revolution, commanding forces as a major-general in the colonial army; important because France joined the Colonists against the British.
Bernardo de Gálvez –
Spanish nobleman who became governor of the province of Louisiana (January, 1777), protected American ships in the port of New Orleans and helped transport war supplies, and took up arms and fought to
protect Louisiana. Captured British controlled areas at Natchez and baton Rouge and won victories
against the British army in the west forcing Britain to keep soldiers in the west to protect against the
Spanish.
Baron von Steuben German military officer who helped turn inexperienced American soldiers into a skilled fighting force by
training the men at Valley Forge how to handle weapons properly and how to execute a charge with bayonets
Saratoga
Valley Forge
Turning point of the war; British forces
were trying to march down the Hudson
River and divide the American colonies.
American forces led by Benedict Arnold
and Horatio Gates defeated the British
in a series of Battles and forced General Burgoyne to surrender. The American victory convinced France to join the
colonists efforts against England, The
economic and military support of
France tipped the scale in favor of the
Americans
After suffering several defeats, Washington took his army to Valley Forge for
the winter of 1777-1778. There the
men were trained and became more of
a professional army (rather than militias). The winter was harsh and men
suffered from starvation and frostbite.
The experience of suffering and hardship brought the army together.
Yorktown
Treaty of Paris 1783
Washington surrounded English forces
at Yorktown, Virginia, with help from
French naval force. Forced the surrender of General Cornwallis that brought
end of war. Last major battle of the
American Revolution.
1)Agreement that officially ended the
American Revolution. 2)England recognized the independence of the United
States of America. 3)The new countries boundaries extended to British
Canada in the North, the Mississippi
River in the West, and Spanish Florida
in the South
Revolutionary Leaders and Soldiers
George Washington– he was appointed to command Continental Army at 2nd CC and inspired his troops
to victory despite odds
Benjamin Franklin– he was helped secure French aid and negotiated the Treaty of Paris
John Paul Jones– he was the best U.S. Naval commander and defeated the Serapis after stating, “Ihave not
yet begun to fight”
Hessians– they were ruthless fighters from Germany hired by Britain to fight the colonial uprising
Spies and Women of the Revolution
James Armistead– he served as a double agent giving the British bad information while giving good
information to Washington
Mercy Otis Warren– she was a friend to Abigail Adams who wrote many essays urging the colonists
support the Revolution
Haym Solomon– he was a Polish Jew who helped the colonies by serving as a spy and supporting them
financially, and helpng prisoners escape the British