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Learn about the early conflicts between the Continental and British armies and the formation of the Continental Army. Understand the importance of Fort Ticonderoga and the Battle of Bunker Hill. Discover Congress' last attempt at peace through the Olive Branch Petition.
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Copy this chart onto the top half of NB p. 27. Action Importance or Outcome
Section 6.4a: Fighting for Independence Today we will discuss early skirmishes between the Continental and British armies and how each side responded to the growing conflict.
Vocabulary • discuss – talk about • outcome – the end result of an action or event • casualties – those who are killed or wounded, usually during combat • mercenaries – professional soldiers who fight for hire, not for their own country • ‘olive branch’ – universal symbol of peace
Check for Understanding • What are going to do today? • What does it mean to discuss? • What would it mean to offer your enemy an olive branch? • What does this famous saying mean?: “The first casualty of war is truth.” • If he gets paid, why is an American soldier not considered a mercenary?
What We Already Know After the Boston Tea Party, Parliament ordered harsh reprisals against Boston and the colony of Massachusetts.
What We Already Know Congress recommended that every colony begin training militia forces to defend itself against the British.
What We Already Know At Lexington and Concord, the first shots of the Revolutionary War were exchanged between British troops and colonial militia.
The Continental Army Is Formed In April 1775, after Lexington and Concord, 20,000 colonial militiamen gathered from the countryside around Boston.
The Continental Army Is Formed The British moved back into the city, which would be hard for the colonists to attack since it was full of civilians and nearly surrounded by water.
The Continental Army Is Formed • On May 10, 1775, Ethan Allen and a force of backwoodsmen known as the Green Mountain Boys captured British Fort Ticonderoga in northern New York, along with its cannon. • These cannon would later be used to drive the British from Boston.
The Continental Army Is Formed The same day, colonial leaders met in Philadelphia at the Second Continental Congress, where they made George Washington the commanding general of the Continental Army.
The Continental Army Is Formed • Congress also authorized the printing of paper money to pay the troops. • It was beginning to act like a real government.
Why was the American victory at Fort Ticonderoga important? • Washington’s victory there convinced the Continental Congress to appoint him commander of the Continental Army. • The captured British cannon would later be used to drive the British from Boston. • It prevented the capture of members of Congress by the British army. • It led directly to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Who was chosen to be the head of the Continental Army? • Bendict Arnold • George Washington • John Hancock • Henry Knox • Ethan Allen ?
What was the outcome of the Second Continental Congress’ meeting in May, 1775? • It sent diplomats to London to begin discussing colonial independence with the British government. • It appointed John Hancock as Acting President of the United States. • It selected the Stars and Stripes to be the national flag of the country • It created the Continental Army and authorized the printing of paper money to pay the troops
The Battle of Bunker Hill In Charlestown, outside Boston, the colonial militia seized Bunker Hill and Breeds Hill and built fortified positions.
The Battle of Bunker Hill The British marched up the hill time after time, until the militia ran out of gunpowder and shot, and were forced off the hill.
The Battle of Bunker Hill • Although the British won, they suffered huge losses. • About 1,000 British soldiers and about 400 of the militia were casualties. • Although Britain won, the colonists proved they could fight well against the British.
What were the results of the Battle of Bunker Hill? • About 1,000 British soldiers and about 400 of the militia were killed or wounded. • Congress decided to declare independence. • The Continental army was forced to retreat from New York. • The British troops won, but the colonists proved how well they could. • British cannon were captured that later would be used against the redcoats. Choose all that are true!
A Last Attempt at Peace • Colonial leaders sent the Olive Branch Petition to King George III, asking him to restore peace between the British Parliament and the colonies. • The petition arrived just after news of the Battle of Bunker Hill, so the king rejected the petition and announced a blockade of the American ports.
A Last Attempt at Peace He also sent thousands of German mercenaries to fight the Continental army and to punish the colonists.
A tell B • What are mercenaries? • Be sure to re-state the question in your response!
Why did Congress send the Olive Branch Petition? • They were still hoping to find a peaceful way to resolve their problems with Britain. • They doubted that the Continental Army could defeat the redcoats. • They were trying to buy George Washington enough time to train his army. • They were trying to persuade France to support the American revolutionary effort.
How did George III respond to the Olive Branch Petition? • He saw it was just a ploy to buy time for Washington, and scornfully rejected it. • He withdrew the German mercenaries and re-opened the port of Boston. • Since the petition arrived just after the news of the Battle of Bunker Hill, he angrily rejected it. • Since he did not accept the authority of Congress, he ignored it completely.
Washington’s Army • The soldiers of the Continental Army believed they were the equals of the redcoats. • George Washington knew that the British soldiers were the best-trained and best-equipped soldiers in the world.
Washington’s Army • Washington knew that his troops would need training and supplies if they were to have chance against the British army. • In the summer of 1775, Washington arrived in Boston and began to gather materiel and to train the Continental Army.
Washington’s Army • In the fall, Washington sent Benedict Arnold to lead an attack on the British in eastern Canada. • Washington hoped that a British defeat in Canada would get the Canadians to fight on the colonists’ side.
Washington’s Army The winter attack at Quebec failed, and the Americans limped home in defeat.
18. What TWO challenges did Washington face in forming the army? • He had to create a trained army. • He had to persuade Congress to recognize and pay the army. • He had to develop a winning strategy to defeat the British army. • He needed to get enough supplies for his troops. Be sure to choose TWO!
What was the outcome of the Continental Army’s invasion of Quebec in November 1775? • American general Benedict Arnold was killed. • Canada joined the colonies’ war for independence. • France decided to give its support to the Americans. • Under harsh conditions, the American forces were defeated badly by the British.
The British Retreat from Boston In Massachusetts, the Continental Army had surrounded British forces in Boston.
The British Retreat from Boston It had taken two months, but Colonel Henry Knox had used oxen to haul the cannon captured at Fort Ticonderoga over the snow-covered mountains to Boston.
The British Retreat from Boston • Now armed with heavy guns, Washington moved his troops to a place overlooking Boston. • This threat forced the British to retreat from Boston.
The British Retreat from Boston • On March 17, 1776, 9,000 British soldiers departed Boston in more than 100 ships. • As Boston Patriots joyfully reclaimed their city, more than 1,000 Loyalists left with the British, fearing for their safety.
What was the outcome of the surrounding of Boston by the Continental Army in January 1776? • The Americans won a great victory at the Second Battle of Bunker Hill. • The British boarded their ships and left Boston. • Over 1,000 British soldiers were taken prisoner by the Americans. • General Howe led his redcoats in a desperate battle to break through the American lines. • Over 1,000 Loyalists left along with the British troops. Choose all that are true!
What caused British troops to leave Boston? • French ships, supporting the Americans, sailed up the coast and blockaded Boston. • German mercenaries went over to the American side for more money. • The Americans surrounded Boston, preventing escape or relief by land. • Washington placed artillery from Fort Ticonderoga on the hills around Boston. • Loyalists persuaded the British to move out of Boston. Choose all that are true!
Why did over 1,000 Loyalists leave Boston with the British troops? • They were homesick for England. • They were going to continue spying on the British for the Patriots. • Most of them earned their livelihood by doing work for the British troops. • Anti-British sympathy was so strong in Boston, they feared for their safety.
