Chapter 8: The Chapter 8: The American American

RevolutionRevolutionSection 1: Fighting BeginsSection 1: Fighting Begins

What has happened?What has happened? Concord and Lexington in April 1775 were Concord and Lexington in April 1775 were

the first real battles of the Revolutionary the first real battles of the Revolutionary War.War.

(The Shot Heard Round the World)(The Shot Heard Round the World) Many people were afraid of breaking away.Many people were afraid of breaking away.

Why?Why? Unsure how long the war would last.Unsure how long the war would last. Afraid the British were better prepared and Afraid the British were better prepared and

trained.trained. Worried about their own families and homes.Worried about their own families and homes.

Victory at TiconderogaVictory at Ticonderoga Spring of 1775Spring of 1775

The Green Mountain Boys The Green Mountain Boys attacked Ft. Ticonderogaattacked Ft. Ticonderoga

Green Mountain Boys: Green Mountain Boys: Vermont Farmers who Vermont Farmers who formed a militia to resist formed a militia to resist the Governor of New the Governor of New York’s attempt at taking York’s attempt at taking control of Vermont. control of Vermont.

GMB’s were led by a GMB’s were led by a blacksmith, Ethan Allen.blacksmith, Ethan Allen.

GMB’s captured Fort GMB’s captured Fort Ticonderoga in a surprise Ticonderoga in a surprise attack attack

The victory yielded 100 The victory yielded 100 cannons and many guns.cannons and many guns.

“Come out of there, you rat!”

The Second Continental The Second Continental CongressCongress Delegates from all 13 colonies attended Delegates from all 13 colonies attended

the 2the 2ndnd Continental Congress in Continental Congress in Philadelphia in May 1775.Philadelphia in May 1775. It acted like a national governmentIt acted like a national government

Two things were accomplished.Two things were accomplished.1). Declared loyalty to King George if he 1). Declared loyalty to King George if he

eliminated the Intolerable Acts with eliminated the Intolerable Acts with the the Olive Branch Petition.Olive Branch Petition.

2). Established the Continental Army 2). Established the Continental Army under the under the command of George command of George Washington.Washington.

Comparing the British and Comparing the British and American ForcesAmerican Forces

BritishBritish• Trained and Trained and

Experienced.(+) Experienced.(+) • Well-Armed with a Well-Armed with a

strong Navy.(+)strong Navy.(+)• Had to fight 3000 Had to fight 3000

miles away.(-)miles away.(-)• British soldiers were British soldiers were

vastly outnumbered vastly outnumbered by American by American Colonists.(-)Colonists.(-)

AmericanAmerican• Very little training.(-)Very little training.(-)• Not very well-armed.Not very well-armed.

(-)(-)• Fighting to defend Fighting to defend

their own land. (+)their own land. (+)• Many soldiers Many soldiers

owned their own owned their own rifles and had rifles and had knowledge on using knowledge on using them. (+)them. (+)

Battle of Bunker Hill (June Battle of Bunker Hill (June 16,1775)16,1775) June 16, 1775:June 16, 1775:

Americans established a position north of Americans established a position north of Boston to fire on British ships in the harbor.Boston to fire on British ships in the harbor.

Original position was Bunker Hill, but the soldiers Original position was Bunker Hill, but the soldiers dug new positions at Breed’s Hill because it was dug new positions at Breed’s Hill because it was better.better.

At dawn, 2400 British soldiers attacked 1200 At dawn, 2400 British soldiers attacked 1200 American soldiers at Breed’s Hill.American soldiers at Breed’s Hill.

Due to low supplies Americans, were to shoot Due to low supplies Americans, were to shoot at the last possible moment. “the whites of at the last possible moment. “the whites of their eyes”their eyes”

After 3 attempts the British defeated the After 3 attempts the British defeated the Americans. Americans.

Americans showed they could withstand a Americans showed they could withstand a British attack. British attack.

The British Leave BostonThe British Leave Boston

Weeks after Battle of Bunker Hill the Weeks after Battle of Bunker Hill the British left Boston harbor, while British left Boston harbor, while being fired upon by the cannons being fired upon by the cannons captured at Ft. Ticonderoga.captured at Ft. Ticonderoga.

The British left the harbor, but they The British left the harbor, but they made a blockade around Boston.made a blockade around Boston.

Afterwards, the British King hired Afterwards, the British King hired Hessian troops from Germany.Hessian troops from Germany.

BOSTONHARBOR

The Invasion of Canada The Invasion of Canada (Fall and Winter 1775)(Fall and Winter 1775) American leaders thought French Canadians American leaders thought French Canadians

would side with the American cause would side with the American cause Americans invaded Canada to kick out the Americans invaded Canada to kick out the

British.British. One group traveled through Maine, the One group traveled through Maine, the

other down the St. Lawrence River.other down the St. Lawrence River. Americans in were defeated in Quebec Americans in were defeated in Quebec

December 1775.December 1775. The American army was tired and The American army was tired and

demoralized after such a difficult and demoralized after such a difficult and defeating experience.defeating experience.