Battles of the American Revolution

Learn about key Battles of the American Revolution!

WarmUp: Thinking ThursdayWhat was the Tea Act? It created a monopoly so that tea could be sold cheaply, but only by one British tea company. It closed the port of Boston and took away all their government leaders. It was a tax on all paper goods such as books, playing cards, and legal documents. It was a meeting where representatives from each colony discussed what to do about the king's action. The Battle of Lexington and Concord Watch the short video and then answer the questions. 1. Why were General Thomas Gage and British troops sent to Concord? To arrest Benjamin Franklin To take away weapons of the Massachusetts militia and arrest their leaders To quarter their soldiers 2. The colonist already knew their weapons and supplies were in jeopardyand had moved them to other secret locations before the arrival of the Redcoats. What does the word jeopardy mean? threatened safe destroyed damaged 3. Who warned the militias in Lexington and Concord about the arrival of the British troops? Thomas Gage William Dawes and Paul Revere Paul Revere and John Adams 4. Who fired the first shot at Lexington? No one knows A spectator The British The colonists Declaration of Independence After the Battle of Lexington and Concord, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. They decided to draft a Declaration of Independence to take a stand towards becoming an independent nation. Thomas Jefferson, the main writer of this document, used the philosophies of John Locke. Locke wrote that people were born with natural rights of life, liberty, and property; that people formed governments to protect those rights; and that a government interfering with these rights should be overthrown. Jefferson and many Americans believed in those philosophies amending them to say that people had certain "unalienable rights" among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Battle of Trenton Watch the video and answer the questions. 1. Who was the group of German mercenaries - or hired soldiers- that were fighting for the British army in the winter of 1777? Hessians Americans militias 2. On Decemeber 25th, George Washington and Continental Army decided to make a surprise attack on the Hessians while in Trenton, New Jersey. What made this a difficult plan? George Washington couldn't let the Hessians know ahead of time of their attack George Washington's leadership skills were questioned by the troops George Washington and his troops has to cross the cold and icy Delaware River 3. To get his troops motivated for this surprise attack in Trenton, George Washington read quotes from _ about independence and how these "are times that try mens' souls." Thomas Jefferson Sam Adams John Locke Thomas Paine 4. What happened after the crossing of the Delaware River? The Battle of Trenton The weather cleared and became sunny The death of two soldiers A nine-mile march towards Trenton 5. Which best describes the Battle of Trenton? It raised the morale of the Continental Army and its trust in George Washington Tactics used were useless and didn't result in victory Totally unimportant to the overall war The next major battle in the American Revolution, the Battle of Saratoga, is considered the turning point of the war. The battle was fought in late 1777. It was actually two engagements: the Battle of Freeman's Farm (September 19) and the Battle of Bemis Heights (October 7). The Americans were led by General Horatio Gates. The British were led by General John Burgoyne. On October 17, Burgoyne surrendered his army of nearly 6,000 British soldiers. The American victory helped convince France to come to the aid the Continental Army. It also helped them recognize the United States.A turning point can be defined as an event or point in time that changes the direction of something important such as a life, a war, education, or athletic season. In the Revolutionary War, historians point to the Battle of Saratoga as the turning point, because after the battle, the momentum of the war shifted in favor of the Patriots, who were able to procure the help of the French military as a result of their victory. Can you identify a turning point in your life, or, in the life of a character in literature you have read about? What event changed everything? Explain how things were different before and after. Winter at Valley Forge Word of the French-American alliance did not reach the United States until the spring of 1778. Meanwhile, the British army spent the winter in comfort in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. General Washington and the Continental Army set up camp at Valley Forge, about 20 miles to the west of Philadelphia. Washington and his troops endured a winter of terrible suffering.Watch the following video about Valley Forge (America, The Story of Us...) Share some of the difficulties the Continental Army endured while camping during the winter at Valley Forge. Valley Forge in FOUR minutes... Here's another video to watch about Valley Forge The Battle of Yorktown Six years after war began, a critical point is reached and both armies sought victory. General George Washington made plans to attack the British at Yorktown, Virginia.Watch this video to learn about the Battle of Yorktown. Why the Americans Won?? How did the Americans manage to win the Revolutionary War? How did they defeat Britain, the world's greatest power?What DO YOU THINK?