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First Continental Congress
Picture SourceWhen British Parliament decided to lay down the Coercive Acts, the colonists considered them an attack of their rights and freedoms. In result, the First Continental Congress was held in Philidelphia, composed of 56 members representing the different colonies to discuss what to do.They concluded to boycott British goods and ask the King to remove the laws; an appeal which was answered with rejection.
http://www.kidport.com/reflib/usahistory/americanrevolution/Video/FirstContCongress.htm -
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TEXTBOOK AS SOURCE
No room in bubbles; textbook was used for following events: Battle of Bunker Hill (109), Declaration of Independence (118-125), Common Sense (117), Valley Forge (132) Trenton (126), Princeton (127), Saratoga (131), Lexington & Concord (108), Second Continental Congress (109)
Bragdon, McCutchen, Ritchie. History of a Free Nation. Glencoe/McGraw-Hill: 1998. -
British on to Concord
Picture: British March to ConcordBoston had become occupied by British troops under General Thomas Gage in 1774. As fighting between the Americans and British broke out in this area, the Boston Sons of Liberty discovered that 700 redcoats had secretly been sent to destroy military supplised the colonists had collected in Concord. William Dawes and Paul Revere were sent as messengers to warn minutement in locations along the way. -
Minutemen Respond at Lexington
Picture Source70 minutemen were armed and present by the time the British reached Lexington.The colonists had been ordered to drop weapons and disperse, but a scene broke out leaving 18 colonists killed or wounded. The British went on to Concord and burned remaining gun powder, but on return through the countryside were under nonstop fire by the minutemen. 250 British were killed/wounded and a brigade sent from Boston prevented complete anhiiation. The Americans in comparison suffered 100 deaths and injuries. -
Second Continental Congress: Summary
Independence HallImportant FactsSummary: After fighting broke out in Lexington and Concord, Congress (including 65 delegates) met in Philidelphia and assumed powers of a central government to plan steps of war and ask colonies for supplies and troops. This is where the idea of going forth with independence was being accepted, and also ideas such as paper money and a new currency for the colonies. -
Second Continental Congress: Important People
Continental CurrencyDelegates includedThomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and the President John Hancock and Sam Adams who were also part of the Sons of Liberty and greatly wanted for capture by King George III. George Washington was selected as commander in chief not only for his skill but his background as a Virginian, to show the other colonies it wasn't just New England's war. http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/temple/part2_051075.htm -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Map of the Battle of Bunker HillOn June 17, 1775 the British discovered that a northern peninsula by Boston, Breed's Hill, had come to be occupied by American troops. Easily vulnerable from behind, it worked in favour of the Americans when the British commander made the mistake of leading a frontal attack uphill. Troops turned back two attacks, and the British made no further attempts suffering casualties over 40%. It was a proud victory as the untrained militia had held their ground against professional troops. -
Olive Branch Petition
Picture SourceDespite that the war had already begun, the Americans made a final peaceful attempt to resolve it. Written by Jefferson and edited by Dickson, the Petition stated they did not want independence but to negotiate tax and trade regulations. It asked the British government to address and deal with these issues to help end conflict.
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Olive Branch Petition: Britain's Response
Picture: King George IIIIt was a strong blow when King George III rejected the petition, and justification for independence seemed stronger than ever. However right when it was being recieved, another letter by John Adams also fell into British hands. It stated his disapproval of the petition, and outlined the preprations they had been taking for war. It's believed that as a result, Britain failed to take their intentions seriously.
http://www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com/olive-branch-petition.html -
Common Sense
Picture: Thomas PaineImpact of Common SenseWritten and published by Thomas Paine, his writing was some of the most inspirational and influential to the people and leaders of the Revolution. It attacked their bond with Britain and the tyranny of George III, pointing out the advantages of being a free nation. He made stated they were no longer just descendants of various European backgrounds under British rule, they were Americans; their own people and nation with potential to make a mark on the world. -
Declaration Influences
Picture/Quote SourceThomas Jefferson was chosen as principle author of the Declaration. He used many sources of inspiration; grievances he had written earlier, the Virginial Bill of Rights, and the writings of various philosophers on politics and natural rights. The Declaration became world renowned and recognized by many other countries, for its simple yet powerful "proposition that all men are created equal" (Lincoln). It's been used in all kinds of movements from ending slavery, to women's rights, and education. -
Declaration of Independence
Inspirational VideoPicture SourceThe Declaration was composed of 4 parts:
1) Preamble: explained why they chose to seperate from Britain
2) Declaration of Rights: theories of government upon which government was founded, as well as the natural rights and equality of the people that were to be valued and protected
3) List of grievances: charges against King George III
4) Formal Resolution: states that the colonies tried to preserve peace but were left with no other choice; pledging their lives, fortunes, and honor. -
Trenton
PictureIt was an unjoyous Christmas by evening the situation was looking grim for the Americans in their battles with the British. George Washington read excerpts of Thomas Paine in hopes of inspiration as the herried the troops across the Delaware River, just 9 miles outside of Trenton. He refused to believe all was lost and was hoping for at least one victory for his men as he planned a bold and daring attack. -
Princeton: Washington Benefits from Victory
Picture SourceDue to earlier failures and unsucessful battles with the British, Washington had been at risk of losing command. Now, Congress granted him with more power and he had new enlistees signing up to join his troops. -
Surprise Attack at Princeton
In response to Washington's victory, British General Howe sent 8000 soldiers from New York with General Cornwallis to capture him. With only 1500 left in Washington's troops, they slipped away after pretending to be trapped and then took another victory surprising the British in Princeton. They then slipped into the New Jersey highlands out of Cornwallis's reach. -
Battle of Saratoga: Part I
Picture SourceBattle of SaratogaBritish General Burgoyne met the Continental Army in the Hudson River Valley, just north of Saratoga.The Continental Army was forced to retreat, and although a British victory there was a disadvantage with casualties and lack of supplies. Having moved south from Quebec, their grand scheme was to gain control of the area and split New England from the southern colonies. -
Battle of Saratoga: Part II
Washington placed General Horation Gates in control of the Continental Army. Sucessfully defending Bemis Hill in this battle, the British were forced to retreat. After a counter attack and now surrounded, they were forced to surrender with heavy losses and low supplies -
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Valley Forge
Significance of Valley ForgeWas the sight of the Continental Army winter camp in Pennsylvania. The troops stayed in simple log structures, and lacked needed food, clothing, and strength. About 1/4 died of sickness and disease.They trained tirelessly under Prussia's von Streuben and France's Lafayette, also recieving supplies from these new allies. The hardships and perserverance of the soldiers resulted with significant improvement, strength, and confidence among the men. -
Savannah
War in South MapCapture of SavannahAmerican General Howe attempted to defend the city but faced defeat from the sly and unexpected tactics of British Colonel Campbell. Howe's defenses seemed strong, but a slave informed the British of a path through a swamp that would lead to Howe's right. British troops were split, and Howe was surrounded from both sides, with soldiers instantly attempting to escape. Savannah was held by the British as a base for Southern attack throughout the war until 1782. -
Charleston
Seige of CharlestonBritish seize CharlestonThe Americans suffer one of their worst defeats when General Lincoln is forced to surrender to General Clinton's mass army of 10,000. 3000 Patriots were captured and a large quantity of supplies were seized. Cornwallis was left in charge, but the colony was deeply divided and a civil war broke out between the Loyalists and Patriots. The Carolina campaign eventually pushed British forces up into Virginia. -
Yorktown: Part II
The World Turned Upside DownSpecifics of YorktownWith heavy losses and poor supplies, 6000 British surrendered. This ended the war, following with the Paris Treaty recognizing American independence. Surprisngly enough, the Americans and French joined British officers for dinner following their surrender. -
Yorktown: Part I
The Battle of YorktownWas the last major battle of the American Revolution. General George Washington led the Americans allied with Lieutenant General de Rochambeau of France, against the British General Lord Cornwallis. After losing his grip on the Carolinas, Cornwallis marched his troops to Yorktown. As French and American troops arrived, Cornwallis began to make poor judgements and ran into trouble due to the assumption that General Major Clinton would sail from New York with relieving forces. -
Treaty of Paris
DocumentTreaty of Paris- BackgroundTwo years after the British were defeated in Yorktown, they signed a treaty with the the Americans finally recognizing full independence. The treaty also outlined the new borders of the States, allowed them to fish off the coast of the St. Lawrence, stated that debts would still be paid, prisoners of war would be released, and Loyalists would have their properties returned to them.
