Essential Questions

• Despite all the hardships in the early years of the American Revolution, how was Washington able to keep the army together?

• How effective was Washington as a military commander? What were his greatest achievements? What were his biggest mistakes?

Revolutionary War

Ticonderoga, New York, Trenton, Saratoga

Fort Ticonderoga

• May 11, 1775• Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen• Force of 83 captured the fort and 48 British• Strategic importance: Guards Lake Champlain

the gateway to Canada• Americans captured 100 cannons and other

supplies

Boston• After Lexington and Concord the Colonists

besieged Boston with Washington becoming commander in June after Bunker Hill

• Siege lasts eleven months until March 17, 1776

• Henry Knox takes the artillery from Ticonderoga to Boston

• Set up on Dorchester Heights overlooking city and force the British to evacuate

American Crisis--Movie

Defeat in NYHessiansCharles LeeMolly PitcherAmerican POW’s

Trenton and Princeton

• Washington’s army crosses the Delaware on Christmas Night and attacks December 26.

• Hessians had been warned but ignored it• Washington captured 900 out of 1500 and

only lost 2• Washington’s first major success• Convinces many to reenlist for the following

year, boosts morale going into winter camp

Brandywine

September 11, 1777Washington tries to stop the British from

taking PhiladelphiaBritish send a portion of their army across

the creek into a frontal attack and send the rest on a 12 mile flanking march

Washington thinks he has taken the day but is sent reeling in retreat by the attack on his right flank

Saratoga

Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne attacks from Canada hoping to meet up with the Howe’s and cut New England off from the rest of the colonies

Burgoyne gets surrounded and is forced to surrender in a series of battles culminating on October 7, 1777

British had 6,600 while the Americans had 11,400

Burgoyne surrenders his entire armyTurning point of the war, convinces France to

join

Valley Forge

British winter in Philadelphia forcing Washington to remain close

Continental Army winters in Valley ForgeLack of food, shelter, fuel, and clothing leaves

the men dangerously close to mutiny"We have this day no less than 2,873 men in

camp, unfit for duty because they are barefooted and otherwise naked."

Baron Von Steuben brings much needed discipline and training to the army

1778

February, US and France sign the French Alliance France Declares war on England Sends troops and supplies to the US Most of the French troops and Navy (in the US) are in

Rhode Island Battle of Monmouth Courthouse

British are returning to NY when the Continentals attack but it ends in a draw

British occupy Savannah December 29

1779

Spain declares war against England on June 21

September 23 John Paul Jones on the Bonhamme Richard captures a British Man of War

Several minor skirmishes in the Ohio River Valley and in the South

Tarleton reeks havoc in South Carolina but the militia give as good as they get

1780

British Capture Charleston on May 12August 16 General Cornwallis defeats

General Gates at the Battle of Camden General Gates resigns his post as commander of the

Southern Army Washington replaces Gates with Nathaniel Greene the

“Fighting Quaker”

1781

The states officially ratify the Articles of Confederations and now have an official form of government

January 17 Daniel Morgan defeats the British at the Battle of Cowpens

October 19 Cornwallis surrendered at the Battle of Yorktown