III. An Early American Surprise Victory!

1. III. An Early American Surprise Victory! A. Where? Fort Ticonderoga, New York

2. Importance of the fort: p136 Large fort along banks of Lake Champlain; Only 22 soldiers; Many cannons; Controls part of the waterway to Canada

3. The American force • A group of Vermont volunteers called the Green Mountain Boys were upset about the killings at Lexington/ Concord. They decided to strike the British on their own. 2. Leader: Ethan Allen

4. Who joined them? Benedict Arnold led some militia. Allen was the main person in charge. • How did they do it? They arrived at the fort early in the morning when the fort was asleep. They took out the guard & quietly a rebel climbed into

5. the fort and opened the gate. Quietly Allen sent his men to key places in the fort- barracks, arsenal, officers headquarters. They captured each area. The commander will have no choice but surrender.

6. Importance of the win: Colonials will receive 100+ cannons, gunpowder, & ammunition. This was an early boost to the morale of the patriots.

7. Second Continental Congress • Where? Philadelphia, Pa. • Who? 13 colonies sent reps eventually. • President of the congress: John Hancock

8. This group will be the government of America during much of the Revolutionary War. • Early Decisions • Olive Branch Petition -Olive Branch=symbol for peace. -Letters will go to the king & Parliament saying -America is still loyal but they demand the repeal of the Intolerable Acts.

9. They formed the colonial army called: The Continental Army • Commanding general of the Continental army: George Washington

10. The Battle of Bunker Hill • Most of the actual battle took place on Breed’s Hill

11. Where is Bunker Hill? Hills next to Charlestown over looking part of Boston & Charles River. • Goal? Put pressure on the British in Boston. If one put cannons on the hills, they would be a threat to British ships.

12. American forces: 1200 militia men under the command of Colonel William Prescott At first they took position at Bunker Hill but most relocated to Breed’s Hill thinking it a better position. They dug trenches. A few cannons & men were left on Bunker Hill.

13. British forces: Gen. Howe will send 2400 redcoats on ships to land and attack the colonial positions. The ships fired cannons as the British marched over newly plowed fields & over fences to reach the hills. Part of Charlestown will burn from the cannon fire.

14. Diagram:

15. The British soldiers carried 125 lbs. field packs on their backs. Prescott’s Order: As the British lines marched closer, he says “Don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes.”

16. Why? Each militia member had enough gunpowder to fire 3 shots. Every shot must count! • First British Charge: Driven back with heavy losses; • Second charge: Driven back with heavy losses;

17. I. Third Charge: British reach the colonial lines. Hand to hand combat. Americans forced to retreat. British take both hills. • Losses: • American: 400/ 1200 2. British: 1000/2400

18. Importance: The British won the battle but it showed the Americans can and will put up a fight. This was an extremely costly victory.

19. Review • Why was the capture of Ft. Ticonderoga considered a “prize?” • Why did the Comms. Of Correspondence wish word to be spread about Ft. Ticonderoga’s fall? • Why did the British view the militia on Breeds and Bunker Hills a threat that must be dealt with?

20. What famous quote came from the Battle of Bunker Hill? • What did it mean? 6. British General Clinton said if we win many more battles like Bunker Hill, we will lose the war. What did he mean?

21. V. Dorchester Heights-Washington Arrives! • Location • Hills overlooking Boston and its harbor (by Great Neck).

22. Leader: George Washington • His force: 16,000 people!! -From children to age 80 living in tents & huts in the hills. Some only had corn knives and rakes. Soldiers often would not obey officers from other colonies.

23. Washington places 59 cannons in the hills overlooking Boston and the harbor. they could reach into the city or hit British ships. • Where did they come from? Ft. Ticonderoga

24. Henry Knox had taken the cannons apart, put them on sleds and brought them 300 miles over rough terrain to Washington. • The British & Colonials have a few skirmishes. Howe is trying to see what he is up against.

25. What will Howe do? He orders his army to load ships and he leaves the city of Boston. • Where will he go? Halifax Nova Scotia, huge British military base.

26. Boston is freed! Port of Boston opens again.

27. VII. Using the Navy • King George III ordered the blockage of all colonial ports. • To blockade means to shut off a port to keep people or supplies from moving in or out.

28. VIII. Invasion of Canada • How many armies? 2 • Who are the commanders? Richard Montgomery Benedict Arnold • Where did Montgomery leave from? Ft. Ticonderoga

29. What Canadian city did he win? Montreal • MAIN TARGET of both armies: Quebec • Both armies were to join Forces to attack.

30. Arnold’s army marched through what is today the state of ________in the winter. Maine

31. Terrible journey: Reduced to eating boiled bark, candles, & shoe leather. • The Americans hoped they would receive help in Canada from whom? French Canadians • Did they? Not in any large number

32. Both Arnold & Montgomery attack Quebec during a blinding snow storm on Dec. 31, 1775 Montgomery was killed. Arnold was seriously wounded. The attack failed so the armies The death of Montgomery camped outside the city to lay siege to it.

33. How long did the siege last? until May, 1776 British reinforcements were coming so the Americans were forced to retreat.

34. IX. “Common Sense” • A pamphlet written by: Thomas Paine

35. His main ideas: 1.The colonies are large & strong enough to be a country on their own. 2. The colonies have tried to work it out with England. The king rejected the Olive Branch Petition.

36. 3. “It is foolish to be always running 3 or 4 thousand miles with a tale or a petition, waiting 4 or 5 months for an answer, which when obtained requires 5 or 6 more to explain it.” Notes>>>> It is just common sense to seek independence.

37. It sold 500,000 copies In 6 months. • Importance: It stirred many colonists to favor declaring independence. (G. Washington will stop toasting the king At meals).

38. Declaring Independence • What group served as the govt. of America during much of the Rev. War? 2nd Continental Congress • What group commissioned the writing of a declaration of indep.? 2nd Continental Congress

39. A committee of 5 people was chosen to develop a declaration. John Adams Ben Franklin Thomas Jefferson Robert Livingston Roger Sherman 5 man drafting committee

40. Chief Author: Thomas Jefferson • What will the rest of the committee do? Help and edit.

41. The committee made very few changes to Jefferson’s draft. One part was a problem. Jefferson blamed the king for not getting rid of slavery. No slavery has been allowed in England since 1689. • Why did they object to this? They were afraid some colonies with slavery would refuse to support the Declaration.

42. Date Adopted: July 4, 1776 • Who was given the honor of signing it first? John Hancock, President of the Congress

43. Why did he sign it so boldly? One idea: He wanted the king to be able to see his signature without his glasses. 2nd idea: Others signed their names smaller.

44. XI. The Declaration of Indep.-Main Ideas • Three Main Ideas expressed by Jefferson. P 868 • Main Idea 1> Everyone has certain basic natural rights. 1. He calls these rights: unalienable rights

45. Unalienable rights are natural rights we are born with. • Three examples: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (right to own personal property)

46. How do govts. today put people in prison, execute criminals, or may take property away for the public good and still respect Jefferson’s unalienable rights? Governments must follow fair & established steps one of which is trial.

47. Main Idea 2: The purpose of govt. is to protect these basic rights. • Main Idea 3: If govt. don’t, then the people have a right to change the government. • Wrongs done by the king source of info for letter to editor section of project.

48. XII. Howe’s Return • From where? Halifax, Nova Scotia • Size of British force: 34,000 regulars 10,000 sailors 400 ships 1. Washington’s army? It was at its peak of 20,000 men. No navy

49. Where will Howe attack? Washington believed it would be a large port city-Boston? New York? • Which port city? Washington guessed New York City, but wasn’t sure.

50. Washington’s strategy: He did not know for sure where Howe will attack. Washington divides his army into pieces. He stationed these pieces along the coast between south of Boston to New York City area. He has the largest group north of New York City.