The American Revolution

The American War of Independence

What was the American War of Independence

1.It was a war between Great Britain and 13 British colonies in North America and it became a global war between several European great powers.

2.It is also known as the American Revolutionary War.

What were the causes of the American War of Independence?

Navigation Acts: Britain used the Navigation Acts to control American trade for its own benefit. The acts stated that American products such as sugar, cotton tobacco could only be sold to England. Americans smuggled these goods and this led to clashes with the English.

Tom Paine: Tom Paine wrote Common Sense, which encouraged the Americans to fight for complete independence from Britain.

What were the causes of the American War of Independence?

Boston Massacre: In Boston, British troops killed five people who were protesting about taxes on tea.

What were the causes of the American War of Independence?

No Taxation without Representation: This was the slogan of the Sons of Liberty, who said Britain should not tax America when Americans were not represented in Parliament in London.

What were the causes of the American War of Independence?

More Taxation: Britain wanted the Americans to pay for the Seven Years’ War and for its own defence. Britain imposed the Stamp Act, which said newspapers and legal documents must be taxed. The Americans rioted against this, burnt the stamps and attacked the stamp officials.

Lexington and Concord: British troops marched from Boston to Concord to try to capture an American store of arms and ammunition. Paul Revere rode through the night to warn people so there was no arms and ammunition when the British arrived. The British were attacked at Lexington on the way there and ambushed at Concord on the way back. These were the first shots of the American War of Independence.

Progress of the War

1.George Washington was appointed as Commander-in-chief of the Continental (American) Army.

2.The Continental Congress (a meeting of the representatives of the 13 colonies) passed the Declaration of Independence on 4 July 1776. The Declaration of Independence marked the final break from Britain.

3.The British defeated the Americans at Bunker Hill in Boston, even though they suffered huge losses.

4.Washington’s invasion of British-controlled Canada failed.

5.New York City fell to the British.

Progress of the War

6. Washington retreated to Pennsylvania, but he won surprise victories at Trenton and Princeton.

7. The American general Gates won a huge victory over the British army at the Battle of Saratoga. This resulted in France (and, later, Spain and Holland) joining the war on the side of the Americans. The French provided men and ships for America.

8. The British captured Philadelphia, the capital of the American colonies.

9. Washington spent the winter of 1777-78 in Valley Forge, near Philadelphia. With the help of a German officer, Baron von Steuben, he formed a well-trained army.

10. Washington won the Battle of Yorktown. He surrounded a British army on land while the French navy surrounded it by sea.

11. In 1783 the British government recognised the independence of America in the Treaty of Versailles.

What were the results of the American War of Independence

1.George Washington was president of the Constitutional Convention which drew up the American Constitution.

2.Washington became the first president of the United States of America.

3.The USA began as 13 states, but it later expanded to 50 states.

4.America became the most powerful country in the world during the 20th Century.

5. The American Revolution inspired the French to overthrow their king in the French Revolution.

6. The ideas of the Declaration of Independence and the American Constitution were followed in other countries, such as Ireland. This led to the Rising of 1798 and the Volunteer movement in Ireland.

People in History

George Washington

American War in 9 minutes

http://madefrom.com/history/america/war-of-independence-timeline/

War of Independence Prezi

Life of George Washington

His early life

• Born in Virginia 1732
• Ancestors all English
• Family were wealthy farmers
• Farm called Mount Vernon
• Grew tobacco – owned slaves
• Inherited family farm at age 20

Career as a soldier

• Joined the Colonial army
• Trained by the English
• Became an officer
• Fought wars against Indians and French
• Became Commander of Virginia troops

His growing resentment of England

• Left army and returned to farm
• Elected to Virginia Assembly
• Resented the Stamp Act
• Angry about the Boston Massacre

His growing militancy

• Became member of Continental Congress
• Meetings held in Philadelphia
• All 13 colonies sent representatives
• Organised a boycott of British goods
• 1775 – Continental army formed
• Washington made Commander
• 1776 – Declaration of Independence issued
• Result – War

Washington and the war

• Colonial army v.s.  British troops (Redcoats)
• Colonists knew countryside well
• But many Colonists only part-time soldiers
• British better equipped army
• But British had to travel long distances

His worst period in Command

• Early victories for British
• New York and Philadelphia captured
• Major problems in Colonial army
• Forced to spend winter in Valley Forge
• Many soldiers died – morale very low
• But – one major battle won in Saratoga, New York

Importance of the French to Washington

• 1778 – French troops, arms and navy arrived
• French leaders admired Washington
• Major defeat for British at Battle of Yorktown
• British forced to surrender
• Peace talks in Paris

Washington’s final years

• New Republic declared in America
• New American Constitution drawn up
• Senate and Congress formed
• Washington elected first president
• Served two terms for eight years
• Died in last days of 1799

George Washington Profile

Key Words

Colony : a country controlled by a more powerful country

Empire : a group of countries ruled by one powerful country

Navigation Acts : Acts (laws) stated that some American products (sugar, cotton & tobacco) could be sold only to England

Revolution: a huge and rapid change in politics, economy and/or society

Stamp Acts : Newspapers & legal documents had to be stamped by government officials, who made them pay for this.

Review Questions

1. Why did Europeans settle in the American colonies in the 1600’s
2. Name 5 of the original 13 colonies.
3. What were some of the main differences between the northern colonies and the southern colonies.
4. What were the two main threats facing people in the  colonies.
5. What was the Stamp Act and why was it introduced?
6. What was meant by “no taxation without representation”.
7. What was the Continental Congress?
8. What were the main ideas put forward in the Declaration of independence?
9. What were the main advantages and disadvantages of both sides in the American war of independence?
10. Why was the Battle of Saratoga of such importance to the Americans?
11. Why was French help of such importance to the Americans.
12. What is meant by a Constitution?
13. What was meant by the federal system of government that was set up in America?
15. Who became the first president and how long did he serve?
16. How did the American war of independence affect other countries?

Answers

1. They wanted to escape religious persecution. For example, Roman Catholics from England went and named their colony Maryland. Some wanted to begin a new life and to get land to farm.

2. New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Georgia, Maryland.

3. The south was much hotter. It had a system of slavery. The north had bigger cities.

4. Being attacked by native Americans or by the French.

5. This was a special tax placed on official documents introduced by the British in order to get the money to pay for the cost of defending the 13 colonies.

6. The Americans resented the fact that they had to accept laws which were made for them a few thousand miles away in the Parliament in London.

7. This was the special meeting that took place in Philadelphia of all the representatives from the 13 colonies who were angry with the King and government of England.

8. That a person has certain rights given to him/her by God and people have governments to protect these rights. If governments fail to protect these rights then the people have a right to get rid of them.

9. Americans – knew territory really well. Had large support from people. Used hit and run tactics. But many soldiers were only part-time and there were discipline problems. English – had a very well trained army with lots of equipment but had to travel a long  distance to fight and were not familiar with the surrounding countryside.

10. It was a major victory for the Americans and it convinced the French that the time was right to provide help for the Americans.

11. The French provided new well-trained troops and weapons. They also sent over army generals such as Lafayette who were good leaders and worked well with the Americans. They also sent navy boats which prevented supplies from Britain being sent to their army.

12. A Constitution is a set of laws which outlines how a country is to be run.

13. This meant that each State had a government of its own but the really important decisions were made by the government based in the capital city (Federal government)

14. If the President wants to make a new law he has to get the Congress and the Supreme Court to agree that it is acceptable.

15. George Washington – 8 years.

16. The ideas spread to other countries such as France and Ireland. It provided the inspiration to some people that they too should have a Revolution of their own. 

Take the Revision Test.

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American War of Independence Kahoot

Kahoot questions from George Washington Clip (above)

Surrender of the British

Causes of American War of Independence