The American Revolution

- History

What will you be learning about?

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Some of the problems faced by the Continental Army

What led up to the colonists declaring Independence from England?

Main events that occurred at the start of the war

How did the Continental Army win the war?

Famous and infamous people involved in the Revolutionary War

Famous quotes from the Revolutionary War

Background

Causes

Heroes & Villains

Challenges

Success

Awesome Words

Whoa!

Before we go any further, what do you THINK the American Revolution was? Why did it happen, who was involved?

Background to the Rebellion

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What was the relationship between the British Empire and the American colonies?

Background

The British colonized North America in 1607 with the establishment of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement.

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In return for being sent over to the colonies and for providing the start of the settlement, England expected payment in the form of goods and materials.

Background: Revolutionary beginnings

Many colonists grew tired of England wanting them to send back money and for raising or adding new taxes.

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England believed they were owed the money spent to send the colonists over, setting up the colonies, and for sending over soldiers to help fight in the French and Indian war. War is expensive! They also paid for soldiers to stay in the colonies to help protect the colonists from further attacks.

Causes

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What caused some of the colonists to rebel against England?

Revolutionary beginnings

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England became annoyed at the colonists efforts to resist taxes so King George III sent over more troops and forced the colonists to house them in their homes. This was to keep a closer eye on the colonists.

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This started causing tension and conflicts until shots were fired in Boston. The conflict was later called the Boston Massacre because several people were killed.

Revolutionary beginnings

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To further protest the English hold over the colonies, the Sons of Liberty led several colonists dressed up as Native Americans (so they wouldn’t be identified) and threw a bunch of British tea off of merchant ships and into the bay. This was called the Boston Tea Party.

Thought: what effect might have all that tea had on the environment?

Revolutionary Beginnings

Spurred by years of tension and unrest and by the workings of the Sons of Liberty, the Continental Congress was formed. This group which included representatives from each colony, wrote the Declaration of Independence and sent it to England, letting them know that the American colonies no longer wished to be under British rule and were declaring their independence!

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*Important note: not ALL colonists were in favor of separating from England. Some were very loyal to the crown and wanted to continue being British citizens. They were called “loyalists” and they were put in a very difficult situation.

Revolutionary Beginnings

Needless to say, King George III was NOT happy about the rebellious colonists trying to separate themselves from his kingdom.

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In response, he sent over more British troops to try and regain control over the rebellious colonists and so began the American Revolution.

Heroes and Villains

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Who were the main people associated with the American Revolution?

Heroes

Samuel Adams was a thorn in the side of the British. As a political leader and activist, he spoke out against the British efforts to tax and colonists and pressured merchants to boycott British products.

George Washington was commander in chief of the Continental Army during the war. He later served as our first president, turning down the offer to be made king of America. He argued that they just fought against having a king.

Benjamin Franklin served in the Continental Congress and helped to draft the Declaration of Independence in 1776. He was crucial in forging a relationship with France, who later became an ally during the war.

Heroes

Thomas Jefferson was the main author of the Declaration of Independence. He was a leading figure in the early development of America. He later became the third president of the United States.

Alexander Hamilton was a military officer, statesman, and one of the founding fathers. He aided George Washington in decision making and writing of policies. He established the nation’s first financial system.

Marquis de Lafayette was a French officer who secured vital French support and served as a major general in the Continental Army. He played a key role in the important victory at Yorktown. He was crucial to the colonists winning the war.

Villains

King George III was the king of the British Empire. He lost the American colonies which was a major event in world history. He struggled with a mental illness, which some believe may have led to some bad decision making during the war.

Benedict Arnold was an officer in the Continental Army. He was infamous for defecting to the British, betraying the American cause for money and fame. He escaped capture and lived the rest of his life in England.

Major John Andre was British officer and served as the head of Britain’s intelligence operations (spies) during the American War for Independence. He was part of the plot which involved Benedict Arnold betraying his country.

Challenges

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The Continental Army faced several challenges in their effort to defend their new country.

Challenging Circumstances

The Continental Army faced several challenges in their efforts to free America from British rule:

• Inadequate funding - the Continental Congress struggled to raise enough money to pay soldiers, purchase supplies, and cover expenses.
• Supply shortages - the army often lacked food, clothing, shelter, and ammunition.
• Militia vs. professional soldiers - most soldiers were short-term volunteers who lacked proper training.
• Poor communication - communication between the Continental Congress and the army was slow which hindered decision-making and coordination.

Challenging Circumstances

The Continental Army faced several challenges in their efforts to free America from British rule:

• Enemy with Experience - the British Army was a professional force with a history of military experience and success
• The British had a strong supply chain and could get more troops and resources quickly
• The British navy controlled the seas with strong naval power
• Valley Forge - was the most trying episode for the Continental Army. They were stuck there during the winter of 1777-1778. They lacked shelter, blankets, coats, and even shoes.

Successes

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The Continental Army faced numerous challenges, but in the end they had enough success to win the war.

Key Factors to Success

Despite the challenges, the Continental Army won many battles and ultimately the war. Several things led to their success:

• French Alliance - the French provided crucial military and naval assistance, including troops, supplies, and ships.
• Washington’s Leadership - Washington’s ability to keep the Continental Army together and his strategic decision-making were vital to the American cause.
• Home Territory - the colonists knowledge of the land helped them utilize guerrilla tactics, ambusing and wearing down the British forces.
• Popular Support - widespread support for independence from most colonists provided the moral and logistical foundation of the revolution.

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Key Factors to Success

Despite the challenges, the Continental Army won many battles and ultimately the war. Several things led to their success:

• Key Victories - Battles like Saratoga and Yorktown shows the Continental Army’s growing strength. Eventually the British surrendered.
• British Challenges - the British Army faced several challenges like the distance between the countries making it harder to get supplies quickly, the high cost of the war, and growing opposition to the war within Britain itself.
• Spies - Washington’s spy ring provided vital information which ultimately helped the Continental Army win the war.

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Awesome Words

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Give me liberty or give me death!

- Patrick Henry, founding father.

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I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.

- Nathan Hale, captured colonial spy

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Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.

- George Washington, founding father

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Humanity has won its battle. Liberty now has a country.

- Marquis de Lafayette

Video Recap

Matching concepts

Taxation without representation

Colonists being taxed by Britain without having a voice in British laws

Declaration of independence

Boston Tea Party

Protest where colonists dumped British tea into Boston Harbor against unfair taxes

Formal partnership with France aiding the colonies in the Revolutionary War

Alliance with France

The document announcing the colonies’ break from Britain, citing rights and reasons

True or false?

True

The American Revolution was a war fought between the American colonies and Great Britain

The American Revolution was primarily driven by a desire for the thirteen American colonies to gain independence from British rule

The colonists used guerilla warfare tactics against the British instead of only “conventional” battle tactics.

The American Revolution only had support from the colonists themselves, with no involvement or assistance from other countries

False

True

False

True

False

True

False