Revolution!

1. Revolution! The Fight For Independence

2. Key Words • Continental Army- Colonial Army set up by the Second Continental Congress • Patriot- Person siding with the colonies • Loyalist- Person siding with the British • Olive Branch Petition- Loyalty to the king in exchange for repealing the intolerable acts

3. Attempt at Peace • The Second Continental Congress was convened in Philadelphia after the battles at Lexington and Concord • Sent the Olive Branch petition to King George III • The King was less than enthused • William Pitt argued for a political solution in the House of Lords • Felt the U.K. could not win • George Germain appointed to Secretary of State for the American Colonies • Desired to crush the rebellion (in part to save face)

4. The Beginnings • Volunteers known as the Green Mountain Boys took fort Ticonderoga • Captured the fort and its cannons, gun powder and control of a key route to Canada • The Second Continental Congress created the Continental Army at this same time • They appointed George Washington as its commander

5. The Forces • Red Coats • Average Age- 28 years • Average Experience- 7 years • Officers were nobility, well educated • Fought on multiple continents, never been beaten • Americans • Average Age- 20 years • Average Experience- 6 months • Officers were leftovers from the French and Indian War • Congress was against a standing army

6. Advantages • Patriots • Most colonial men owned rifles and were good shots • Rage de Militaire- Spirit of fighting for freedom and defending their own land, homes and families • Home field advantage (knew the land) • Could be immediately reinforced with supplies • Washington was a brilliant leader and tactician

7. Advantages • The British • Far superior military • Well trained army, best navy in the world • Had some colonists support (Loyalists) • Mainly the wealthy (plantation owners and merchants • Loyalists were tarred and feathered and had their homes and possessions stolen by Patriots (given the right to do so by the continental congress)

8. Bunker Hill • The Americans surrounded Boston • They did not let the British march out • Colonel Prescott and 1,200 minutemen held Bunker Hill • The British attempted to take the hill but were turned back • On the third try, the British took the hill • The British lost more than 1,000 men • The Americans lost 400 • This showed that the Americans could fight bravely • Also that the British would be very difficult to beat • Washington began to train the army • Tough with colonial differences • British set up a blockade and hired mercenaries

9. Independence • Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” justified a break from England • The Continental Congress drafted a Declaration of Independence • It was written by Thomas Jefferson • Congress voted to separate from England on July 2, 1776 • They knew they would be seen as traitors • The declaration was ratified on July 4th • Triggered much celebration in the colonies

10. 3 Parts • Natural Rights • Declared that “all men are created equal” • These are inborn rights • Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness • If these rights are not met, then the people have the right to rebel • British Wrongs • Disbanding Colonial Legislatures, sending troops in peacetime, limits on trade and taxation without representation • Declared independence as well as the rights of the colonies to carry on as a free and sovereign nation

11. New York • The obvious target for the British • Largest armada until the American Expeditionary force for D-Day to cross the Atlantic • Hoped for shock and awe to force the Americans to give up their fight • Washington well dug in though ill equipped • Needed guns, were given spears

12. Roles in the War • Native Americans were wanted by both sides • British were more effective • Convinced them that a Patriot victory would mean more settlers moving west of the Appalachians • Some, such as the Miami’s allied with the Patriots • Helped trick the British into surrendering fort Vincennes • New Spain • Spain was neutral, but Bernardo de Galvez, the Governor of Louisiana supported the Patriots • Supplied them with guns, medicine and cloth • He soon captured forts along the Mississippi and drove the British from Western Florida. • Galveston, Texas is named after him