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The Revolutionary War: What happened? (What key battles played an…
The Revolutionary War: What happened?
Who played key roles for the British?
Benedict Arnold: Served in the Continental Army during the early stages of the Revolutionary War and captured Fort Ticonderoga. Later, he became a traitor and joined forces with the British.
Why is Arnold considered a traitor?!
Charles Cornwallis: Second in command of the British army. Surrendered to George Washington after the Battle of Yorktown.
King George the Third: Refused a peace settlement from the 1st Continental Congress which led to war. Remained King even after the British lost the war.
William Howe: Commander and Chief of the British army. Captured New York City, Philadelphia, and won the Battle of Bunker Hill. His downfall was losing the Battle of Saratoga.
What important events led to the Revolutionary War?
Various Taxes on certain items: These items included tea, stamps, lead, paint, paper, glass, and allowed the British to search for smuggled goods.
List of taxes placed on the colonists by the British
First and Second Continental Congress: 1st's goal: Improve relations with Britain to avoid war and that did not happen. 2nd: Represented a republican government and also helped form the Continental Army.
The Boston Tea Party: Colonists dumped 340 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor to protest the Tea Act that the British placed on the colonies.
Colonists fed up with the British!
This photo shows how angered the colonists were in regards to the Tea Act. They responded by dumping tea into the Boston Harbor. Photo Credit: Flickr: National Museum of the U.S Navy. Public Domain. 2015
What key battles played an important role in the war?
Battle of Fort Ticonderoga: Led by Benedict Arnold. Patriots goal was to capture weapons and supplies from the British. Outcome: Patriot victory.
Battle of Bunker Hill: "Don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes." This was the message to British soldiers. Patriots lost a high amount of ammunition and forced to retreat. Outcome: British victory.
This photo gives insight as to the strategies were for both sides. The lines of soldiers might have made for an easier target for both sides. Photo Credit: Flickr: Sue Clark. 2009. CC-By 2.0
Battle of Lexington and Concord: First battle of the Revolutionary War. Outcome: The British were forced to retreat from Boston.
Background information on the first battle of the Revolutionary War
Battle of Trenton: Christmas night, 1776. Washington and his men sailed across the Delaware and led a surprise attack on the British. Outcome: Washington captured 900 British soldiers and it was a tide turning event in the war.
This photo shows the courage Washington and his men had to plan this surprise attack. Not even saying a word while traveling across the Delaware showed the poise and discipline of his army. Photo Credit: Flickr: Scott Wright, 2009. CC-By-2.0
Battle of Saratoga: The turning point in the Revolutionary War for the Patriots. Outcome: A victory for the Patriots and morale soared as a result and many new men enlisted.
This is a map of the battle plans for the Battle of Saratoga. It provides insight as to why this battle was so crucial to both sides. Photo Credit: Flickr: Special Collections Toronto Public Library. CC-BY-SA 2.0, 2012.
Battle of Yorktown: The last major battle of the Revolutionary War. Patriots took over 8,000 British troops prisoner. Outcome: Victory for the Patriots.
Who played key roles for the Patriots?
Thomas Paine: His pamphlet, Common Sense, helped people living in the colonies realize that they need to make the laws, not the king and queen of Britain.
Thomas Paine and Common Sense video
George Washington: Leader of the Continental Army. His strategic planning and leadership led him to become the first President of the United States.
Benjamin Franklin: Crucial in the makeup of the Declaration of Independence. Also helped negotiate a peace treaty with the British to end the war.
Patrick Henry: Had a famous line of "Give me liberty or give me death." This was after the relations with the British did not get better after the 1st Continental Congress.
Patrick Henry upset with what the British were doing to the colonies in terms of taxes. Photo Credit: Flickr: Marlon Doss, 2008. CC-BY-SA
Paul Revere: Member of the Sons of Liberty. Warned the colonies that the British were coming in 1775.
Mini biography of Paul Revere
Paul Revere's ride to inform the colonies that the British are coming! Photo credit: Flickr: Marlon Doss, 2008. CC-BY-SA
Baron Friedrich von Steuben: Very important in terms of military tactics. He helped retrain the Continental army by installing discipline into the soldiers and having them fear him.
