Download Explain issues surrounding the important events of the American

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
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 17771778. 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.
Agreement that officially ended
the American Revolution. England recognized the independence
of the United States of America.
The new countries boundaries
extended to British Canada in the
North, the Mississippi River in the
West, and Spanish Florida in the
South