Title: Revolutionary War Battles
1Revolutionary War Battles
2 3Fort TiconderogaMay 1775
- During the American Revolution, Fort Ticonderoga
(located on the western side of Lake Champlain in
New York) was an important post on the route from
Canada to the colonies. - Colonel Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen with his
Green Mountain Boys led a surprise attack on the
British fort in May of 1775. The Americans took
the fort without firing a shot. - In mid-winter of January 1776, Colonel Henry Knox
led an expedition to Fort Ticonderoga to bring
back the cannons that Arnold and Allen had
captured. The cannons were lined up to face the
British ships that were blockading the port of
Boston. The British were forced to evacuate
Boston, leaving the city and port to the
Americans.
4Battle of Bunker HillJune 1775
- Actually took place at Breeds Hill
- The colonists build earthworks to protect
themselves in battle - The British rush the hill 3 times
- The Colonists are forced to retreat due to lack
of ammunition and supplies
5These are the times that try mens souls
6 7American Invasion of Canada
- June 1776
- First major military initiative of the
Continental Army - Plan gain control of Quebec, convince French
speaking Canadians to join the cause - One expedition left Fort Ti (led by Montgomery)
and captured Ft. St. Johns, then went on to take
Montreal - Second expedition (led by Arnold) traveled
through the Maine wilderness to Quebec. - The armies joined forces, but were defeated at
the Battle of Quebec in a snowstorm.
8American Invasion of Canada (2)
- Montgomery was killed Arnold was wounded
- The British sent Burgoyne and Hessians to Quebec
in May 1776 as reinforcements. - Americans were driven back to Fort Ticonderoga
- Burgoyne made plans to take control of the Hudson
River Valley in 1777.
9Declaration of Independence
- Right about now is when it was signed
- July 4, 1776
10Battle of Long Island/Brooklyn Heights
- When the British army abandoned Boston, they
sailed to New York City - Late August, 1776 battle is fought
- In terms of troop size, largest battle of the war
- Washington trying to defend port city of New York
from British navy - British general Howe landed across the harbor on
Staten Island to prepare for attack. Howe
attacked from the front, but brought his main
army and flanked the rear of the colonial army.
1,000 Americans were killed. - Howe dug in for a siege of New York, but
Washington retreated through New Jersey into
Pennsylvania. - Snuck men across the East River to Manhattan in
boats at dark. Some men stayed behind to burn
campfires.
11Who were the Hessians?
- Hessians are soldiers from Germany. King George
hired these soldiers to fight the colonists. - They came from a region in Germany called the
Hesse region.
12Surprising Them in their Undies!
13Battle of Trenton, December 1776
- Continental army continued fighting and
retreating through October and November. The
British chased them across the Hudson River and
south into New Jersey. - Lots of soldiers began to desert Washingtons
army. 3,000 men left by the end of November. He
crossed the Delaware and set up camp in PA. - On the night of December 25, 1776, George
Washington crossed the freezing Delaware River to
attack the British and Hessians. - Washingtons troops marched nine miles in the
early morning hours to reach Trenton at eight
o'clock. - The American troops surprised the Hessian
mercenary soldiers in an early morning raid and
the Americans captured nearly 1000 men. There
were no American casualties. - This victory was a turning point in the war of
independence for the Americans.
14 15Battle of Princeton
- January 3, 1777
- On January 2, the American army repulsed a
British attack at Assunpink Creek in Trenton - Washington then circled around Cornwalliss army
and attacked outside of Princeton - Mercer (colonial army) clashed with Mahwood
(British army) - Washington sent reinforcements, and both groups
tried to flee. Washington rallied the men and
they were able to drive Mahwoods forces back to
Cornwallis. - In Princeton, British troops hiding in Nassau
Hall surrendered. - Washington moved his army to Morristown, and the
British evacuated New Jersey after their third
defeat in 10 days. - Morale was boosted and more men began enlisting
in the American army.
16Battle of Brandywine
- Washington vs. Howe, September 11, 1777
- British defeated Americans and forced them to
withdraw toward Philadelphia. - Howes army sailed from NY to the Chesapeake Bay,
Maryland - Howe took his troops on a long march north and
defeated the Americans. - Nathaniel Greenes division held off the British
army so the army could escape to the northeast.
17Battle of Germantown
- British victory here insured the British would
hold Philadelphia through the winter of 1777
1778.
18Battle of SaratogaOctober 1777
- The American forces were led by General Horatio
Gates, General Philip Schuyler and General
Benedict Arnold. - General Burgoyne led the British forces.
- Gates lost the first battle and after a
disagreement with Arnold about battle tactics,
Gates relieved Arnold of his command. The British
forces were exhausted but were ordered to attack
Bemis Heights. While Gates defensive moves were
effective, it was General Arnold who saw an
opening to turn the battle into an offensive
move. Despite having been relieved of his
command, Arnold joined the battle anyway. His
efforts were so successful and the British troops
so beaten down that General Burgoyne was forced
to surrender a few days at Saratoga.
19Surrender!
- Burgoyne is forced to surrender.
20What do I Need to know about the Battle of
Saratoga?
- The British plan was to cut the colonies in two
like a snake- when you cut off a snakes head it
dies!
- This plan did not work because one army for the
British didnt show up and another was late! The
only army there was easily defeated.
21Outcomes of the Battle of Saratoga
- The colonial army WON!!!
- France decides to help out the colonists.
22Battle of SaratogaHope for the Colonies!
23Thank You, France!
- Upon hearing of the American victory at Saratoga,
the French declared recognition of the United
States of America and fully supported their war
of independence.
24Valley ForgeSeptember 1777
- When General William Howe and his British troops
took Philadelphia in September of 1777, General
Washington was forced to make winter camp about
20 miles from Philadelphia at Valley Forge. - It was a miserable winter for the 10,000 soldiers
of the Continental Army at Valley Forge. Many
soldiers lacked shoes and warm clothing. Food was
scarce. Diseases such as smallpox and typhoid
fever swept through the camp. 2500 men died that
winter from the cold, disease and malnutrition. - During this winter, General Lafayette joined the
Continental Army, without pay, and impressed the
troops and Washington by living under the same
conditions as the soldiers. - Another important addition to the Continental
Army was Baron Friedrich von Steuben. He knew how
to train an army. Even under the hardships of the
camp, he drilled the soldiers repeatedly during
the winter so that by springtime the Continental
Army had become a strong and disciplined fighting
force.
25 26Clarks Campaign in the Northwest
- George Rogers Clark VA soldier who led the
Kentucky militia during the war - Captured key northwestern cities during the war
and weakened British influence there - Northwest Territory was ceded to the United
States in the 1783 Treaty of Paris
27Battle of Monmouth Court House
- June 28, 1778
- France entered the war on the side of the
Americans. - British commander Clinton evacuated Philadelphia
and began marching his forces toward NYC. - Washington attacked the rear of the British army
(commanded by Clinton) leaving Monmouth Court
House - Groups clashed in 100 degree heat and fought to
a standstill. - In the evening, Clintons army withdrew and
resumed marching toward NYC.
28Battle of Monmouth Court House (2)
- Americans burned bridges, muddied wells, and
built abatis across roads to slow down the
British. - Washington attacked at Monmouth because he felt
the British were vulnerable with their long
supply trains. - Washington sent General Lee to attack the rear of
Clintons line. Lee and his men fled from the
attack, bumping into Washington as they ran. - Darkness ended the battle.
- The British marched to Sandy Hook and transported
their troops to Manhattan. - Tactically a British victory, strategically a
draw because the Americans kept possession of the
field.
29 30John Paul Jones
- Jones was considered the Father of the American
navy and was a Scottish naval fighter. - Congress was busy building boats to comprise a
U.S. navy. - Jones fought off the coast of England, wreaking
havoc on English ships. - His most famous battle was aboard a boat given to
the U.S. from France (The Bonhomme Richard) vs.
the English boat, The Serapis
31 32Battle of Camden
- August 16, 1780
- Major victory for British General Cornwallis vs.
American General Gates - Gates (hero of Saratoga) was humiliated in this
battle - Once France had entered the war, Britain adopted
a southern strategy - The British captured Savannah in 1778 and
Charleston in 1780. - The British decided to attack at Camden to gain
control of the back country of the Carolinas.
33Benedict Arnold Commits Treason
- Arnold (from CT) joined the army and
distinguished himself at Ticonderoga and
Saratoga. - Despite successes, was passed over for promotions
because other officers claimed credit for his
accomplishments. - Spent much of his own money on war efforts.
- Disgusted that colonies rejected a 1778 British
proposal for self-governance and representation
in the Parliament. - Arnold changed sides and schemed to surrender
West Point to the British but his plan was
exposed. - Arnold escaped and led British forces on raids
against the colonies.
34Battle of Kings Mountain
- October 7, in North Carolina.
- Patriot militia defeated Loyalist militia.
- Patriots had to retreat quickly to avoid
Cornwalliss advance. - Pivotal moment after several rebel defeats by
Lord Cornwallis. Raised Patriot morale. - Cornwallis had to abandon plan to invade North
Carolina and he retreated into South Carolina.
35(No Transcript)
36 37Battle of Cowpens
- Decisive victory by Continental Army
- Turning point in re-conquest of South Carolina,
which was mostly under British occupation. - When Cornwallis was told of this American
victory, he placed his sword tip on the ground
and leaned on it until the blade snapped. - Surprise victory for Daniel Morgan and changed
the psychology of the war. - This battle set other events in motion that
changed the wars outcome.
38Battle of Guilford Court House
- March 15, 1781
- Cornwallis abandoned his plans in South Carolina
and chased American forces into North Carolina. - Cornwallis, with 2,100 troops, defeated Nathaniel
Greenes 4,500 American army. - The British suffered such heavy casualties it is
considered a strategic victory for the Americans. - Cornwallis brought his army north to Virginia to
rest.
39Battle of Yorktown
40Battle of YorktownAugust-October 1781
- The last major battle of the American Revolution
was fought at Yorktown. - Washington learned that the French Admiral de
Grasse was sailing to Virginia to prevent the
British army under the command of General
Cornwallis from leaving Yorktown. He and the
French General Rochambeau rushed their troops to
Yorktown to trap the British and prevent them
from escaping over land. - Cornwallis was surrounded. The American and
French troops gradually closed in on him. - Cornwallis surrendered to Washington on Oct 19,
1781.
41What do I need to know aboutThe Battle of
Yorktown?
- The British army set up camp on a peninsula
- Washingtons army blocks them in to the west and
the French Navy blocks them to the east. - They are trapped and help can not arrive
42Outcomes of the Battle Of Yorktown
- The Colonial army wins the WAR!!!
- Colonists are free of British Rule! No more
King! - They are their own country
43The World Turned Upside Down
- The British band played this tune when the
British surrendered at the Battle of Yorktown - The Six and a half years of war was over.