Transcript The War moves South

The Revolutionary War
1776-1783
• 2nd continental Congress was convened in
response to growing unrest in the colonies
in May of 1775.
• Benjamin Franklin, the oldest present, and
Thomas Jefferson, the youngest present,
were major players.
• George Washington, hero of the French and
Indian War, was also present.
The Continental Congress tries Peace
• The Continental Congress sent King George
one last document, The Olive Branch
Petition, which asked him to recognize and
honor their requests.
• King George refused to
even read it.
The Continental Congress also….
• Formed the Continental Army and made George
Washington commander.
• Began a Post Office so that they could
communicate with each other. Benjamin Franklin
was named the first Postmaster General.
• Set up a committee to write a document to
declare the colonies independent from Britain. It
included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and
Thomas Jefferson.
First Battles:Ticonderoga
• The war began before the Declaration of
Independence was finished.
• Fort Ticonderoga: May 1775, Ethan Allen and
the Green Mountain Boys capture the British
Fort and cut off supplies to the British from
Canada.
First Battles : Bunker Hill
• The Battle of Bunker Hill was actually fought
on Breed’s Hill in June 1775.
First Battles
The Patriots take back Boston
• In June of 1776, the Patriots finally drove the
British out of Boston. Henry Knox used.
captured British canons he dragged from Fort
Ticonderoga and pointed them at the British
ships in Boston harbor forcing them to sail
away to New York.
The war turns bad for
the Patriots
• British General William Howe leads
troops (including Hessians who were German troops
hired to fight for the British) into New York and
New Jersey.
• The Continental Army retreats into
Pennsylvania.
A bright moment for the Patriots
• Christmas night 1776 George Washington
secretly takes his army across the Delaware
river and attacks and routs Hessian troops at
Trenton, NJ.
• A week later he defeats the British at
Princeton and takes back New Jersey.
The Patriots hold off the British
• George Washington’s plan was to only fight
the British if he was sure he could win.
• He knew that if his army could remain “in the
field” he could drag out the war.
• If he keeps the war going, the British might
give them what they want, INDEPENDENCE.
Valley Forge
• The low point for the Patriots was in the
winter of 1776-1777 at Valley Forge.
• Thousands of troops died of exposure and
starvation.
The “up side” of Valley Forge
• von Stueben helps Washington train his troops
in the ways of European fighting.
• As a result, Washington’s army was a welltrained, capable fighting force ready to defend
their country.
Enter the French
• October 1777 the Americans defeat the
British, commanded by General
Johnny Burgoyne, at Saratoga.
• 1778 the French pledge support
to the Patriots because they want to humiliate
their longtime foes the British.
• They send troops,
supplies,
and most
importantly, SHIPS.
The War moves South
• With France
entering the war in 1778 and
Spain
entering in 1779, the Continental
army was holding their own with the British.
• The British high command decides on a
“Southern Strategy.”
• They would enter at Charleston and move
through the south to defeat the Patriots.
• They believed there were many LOYALISTS in
the south that would help them.
The War Moves South
The Battle of Kings Mountain
• The Battle of Kings Mountain / Summer 1780 .
• Cornwallis sends Major Patrick Ferguson into
the mountains to root out the Patriot irregulars
and protect the Loyalists.
• Ferguson warned the Overmountain Men that if
they didn't lay down their arms, he would
"march his army over the mountains, hang their
leaders, and lay waste the country with fire and
sword."[6]
The Overmountain Men Answer
Ferguson
• Upon receiving Ferguson’s threat to march
into his community, terrorize his neighbors,
and destroy their homes, Isaac Shelby saddled
his horse and rode forty miles to the home of
John Sevier, another prominent militia leader
in the overmountain region.
• The militia leaders decided it would be best if
they crossed the mountains on their own
terms and defeated Ferguson on the east side
of the mountains. Thus did Patrick Ferguson,
the would-be hunter, become the hunted.
• September 25, 1780, several hundred
frontiersmen gathered at Sycamore Shoals.
The “Hunt” for Ferguson
• October 4, the Overmountain Men reach
Ferguson’s base at Gilbert town(now
Rutherfordton).
• Ferguson had moved east to Charlotte to be
closer to the main British army.
The Chase Is On
• October 5/a spy informs the Overmountain
men that Ferguson is headed for Ninety-six,
SC.
• October 6/the Overmountain men reach
Cowpens, SC and are informed by a spy that
Ferguson is 30 miles
away.
• they march all-night
hoping for a battle .
The Battle of Kings Mountain
• October 7/ Ferguson has entrenched at the
top of Kings Mtn.
• Patriot forces arrive, form in a u-shape around
the mountain and at 3pm begin their assault.
• Around 4pm
Ferguson is killed
and the rest of
his troops
Surrender.
GUILFORD COURTHOUSE
The Turning point of the war
• Fought at Guilford Courthouse, NC .
• American troops General Nathaniel Greene fought
British troops under General Cornwallis.
• The Americans lost the battle but Cornwallis lost
many troops and supplies.
• Cornwallis heads for Yorktown.
VICTORY AT LAST
The Beginning of the End
• American and French troops surround
Cornwallis who has entrenched at Yorktown
awaited British ships with reinforcements and
supplies.
• Siege warfare ensues.
• 28th September
to 19th October 1781.
VICTORY AT LAST
The Battlefield
The French fleet blockaded the York River and
the British were unable to resupply Cornwallis’
army.
The Conclusion
• The 2nd Treaty of Paris was signed Sept. 3, 1783.
• This painting, by Benjamin West, shows only
the American delegation because the British
refused to sit
for the painting.
AFTERMATH
What the Colonies gained
• Preface. Declares the treaty to be "in the name of the most holy and
undivided Trinity," states the bona fides of the signatories, and declares
the intention of both parties to "forget all past misunderstandings and
differences" and "secure to both perpetual peace and harmony."
• Acknowledging the United States to be free, sovereign and independent
states, and that the British Crown and all heirs and successors
relinquish(give up) claims to the Government, property, and territorial
rights of the same, and every part thereof;
• Establishing the boundaries between the United States and British North
America;(CANADA)
• Granting fishing rights to United States fishermen in the Grand Banks, off
the coast of Newfoundland and in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence;
• Recognizing the lawful contracted debts to be paid to creditors on either
side;
Aftermath(continued)
• The Congress of the Confederation will "earnestly recommend" to state
legislatures to recognize the rightful owners of all confiscated lands
"provide for the restitution of all estates, rights, and properties, which
have been confiscated belonging to real British subjects [Loyalists]";
• United States will prevent future confiscations of the property of Loyalists;
• Prisoners of war on both sides are to be released and all property left by
the British army in the United States unmolested (including slaves);
• Great Britain and the United States were each to be given perpetual
access to the Mississippi River;
• Territories captured by Americans after the treaty will be returned without
compensation;
• Ratification(approval) of the treaty was to occur within six months from
the signing by the contracting parties.
• Spain received East and West Florida under the separate Anglo-Spanish
peace agreement