The American NationThe American Nation

Chapter 6 – Section 1The American Revolution

1775–1783

Copyright © 2003 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.

Chapter 6, Section 1

Fighting Begins in the NorthFighting Begins in the North

Objectives to learn:• How did Congress struggle between peace

and war with Britain?• What advantages did each side have as it

entered the war?• How did the Continental Army gain control

of Boston?

Introduction to the American RevolutionIntroduction to the American Revolution

How did Congress struggle between peace and war with Britain?

How did Congress struggle between peace and war with Britain?

Peace War

Chapter 6, Section 1

How did Congress struggle between peace and war with Britain?

How did Congress struggle between peace and war with Britain?

• May 10, 1775 - The Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to look for a way to avoid a break with Britain.

• President – John Hancock• July 8, 1775 - Congress sent the Olive Branch Petition to

King George III. 1. Congress declared its loyalty to the king.2. Congress asked the King to repeal the Intolerable Acts.3. Response from the King: He ordered more troops to the colonies.

• May 10, 1775 - Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys from Vermont took Fort Ticonderoga. They took:

• British cannons and gunpowder • Control of a key route into Canada.

• June 1775 - The Second Continental Congress established the Continental Army with George Washington as the commander.

The Olive Branch PetitionThe Olive Branch Petition

• What things are the colonists asking for????• “…Attached to your Majesty’s person, family, and Government,

with all devotion that principle and affection can inspire; connected with Great Britain by the strongest ties that can unite societies, and deploring every event that tends in any degree to weaken them, we solemnly assure your Majesty, that we not only most ardently desire the former harmony between her and these Colonies may be restored, but that a concord may be established between them upon so firm a basis as to perpetuate its blessings, uninterrupted by any future dissensions, to succeeding generations in both countries, and to transmit your Majesty’s name to posterity, adorned with that signal and lasting glory that has attended the memory of those illustrious personages, whose virtues and abilities have extricated states from dangerous convulsions, and by securing the happiness to others, have erected the most noble and durable monuments to their own fame…”

George Washington as Commander (Honors)George Washington as Commander (Honors)

• Read “John Adams Nominated George Washington” and complete #1-2 on the top part and #1-4 on the bottom part.

• Read “George Washington, Commander in Chief” and complete #3-4.

The Second Continental CongressThe Second Continental Congress

Ethan Allen

Second Continental Congress

British Defeat at Fort TiconderogaBritish Defeat at Fort Ticonderoga

The Second Continental CongressThe Second Continental Congress

The Opposing Armies (Onlevel/Honors)The Opposing Armies (Onlevel/Honors)

• Task: Work in groups to discuss #1-14 in “The Opposing Armies”

• Challenge: Try the Counterbalances.

Chapter 6, Section 1

Advantages and Disadvantages of Each SideAdvantages and Disadvantages of Each Side

Sides

Patriots—colonists who favored war with Britain

Advantages

Many Patriots owned rifles.George Washington was a brilliant commander.Patriots were determined to defend their homes and property.

Disadvantages

• Poorly organized and untrained

• Few cannons, little gunpowder, no navy

• Few colonists were willing to enlist for long terms

British Highly trained and experienced.Best navy in the world.Loyalists—American colonists who remained loyal to British.

• Far from home• Attacked by the colonists in

the countryside

Battle for Canada (September-December 1775) – NOT IN YOUR BOOK!!!

Battle for Canada (September-December 1775) – NOT IN YOUR BOOK!!!

• Why? – Americans want to make Canada the 14th colony

• Americans commanded by Colonel Benedict Arnold and Brigadier General Richard Montgomery

• November 13, 1775 - Montgomery captured Montreal from Arnold

• December 31, 1775 - Montgomery attacked Quebec in the middle of a snowstorm.• Montgomery was killed and Arnold was

wounded.• May 1776 - Americans were forced to retreat back to

Fort Ticonderoga.

Montgomery capturing MontrealMontgomery capturing Montreal

Benedict Arnold and his voyage to QuebecBenedict Arnold and his voyage to Quebec

Death of Montgomery, Arnold’s retreat,Death of Montgomery, Arnold’s retreat,

The Battle of Bunker HillThe Battle of Bunker Hill

Which U.S. war is depicted in this battle scene?What famous battle might this be?

Which U.S. war is depicted in this battle scene?What famous battle might this be?

Map 1 – Boston TodayMap 1 – Boston Today

Map 2 – Boston in 1775Map 2 – Boston in 1775

Drawing 1: Charlestown Peninsula, June 17, 1775.

Drawing 1: Charlestown Peninsula, June 17, 1775.

Painting 1: Battle of Bunker Hill by Howard Pyle, 1898.

Painting 1: Battle of Bunker Hill by Howard Pyle, 1898.

Photo 1: A miniature showing the redoubt atop Breed's Hill and the colonists waiting for the advancing British

troops, June 17, 1775.

Photo 1: A miniature showing the redoubt atop Breed's Hill and the colonists waiting for the advancing British

troops, June 17, 1775.

Chapter 6, Section 1

The Battle of Bunker HillThe Battle of Bunker Hill

• British troops controlled Boston. Colonial militia surrounded the city.

• Across the river from Boston, minutemen fired on British ships from Bunker Hill/Breed’s Hill under the command of Colonel William Prescott.

• British troops under the command of General William Howe drew near to attack the colonists.

• Hero – General Israel Putnam – “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes”

• 2 times the colonists turned back British attacks. • With the third attack the British took Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill,

but they suffered heavy losses.• The Battle of Bunker Hill showed:

1. Americans could fight bravely.2. The British would not be easy to defeat.

The Battle of Bunker Hill Death of Dr. Joseph Warren

The Battle of Bunker Hill Death of Dr. Joseph Warren

The Battle of Bunker HillThe Battle of Bunker Hill

Chapter 6, Section 1

How the Continental Army Gained Control of Boston???

How the Continental Army Gained Control of Boston???

• July 17, 1775 - Washington reached Boston and found 16,000 American untrained troops waiting.

• Washington began to train an army.• January 1776 - The cannon that the Green

Mountain Boys captured arrived in Boston and Washington placed them on Dorchester Heights, overlooking British ships in the harbor.

• March 1776 - British General William Howe spotted the cannon and left Boston for Canada.

• King George III ordered the blockade of colonial ports (Shutting of a port to keep people of supplies from moving in or out.)

• King George III hired mercenaries – Troops for hire

British General William Howe

July 17, 1775 – Washington takes command in Boston

July 17, 1775 – Washington takes command in Boston

Chapter 6, Section 1

Section 1 AssessmentSection 1 Assessment

When the Second Continental Congress first met, the members were hoping toa) drive the British out of Boston.b) establish an independent empire.c) crush the revolt.d) avoid a final break with Britain.

One of the Patriots’ advantages was thata) they were fighting for their own homes and property.b) they had an excellent navy.c) Loyalists were on their side.d) many colonists were willing to sign up for long periods of time.

Want to connect to the American Nation link for this section? Click here.

Chapter 6, Section 1

Section 1 AssessmentSection 1 Assessment

When the Second Continental Congress first met, the members were hoping toa) drive the British out of Boston.b) establish an independent empire.c) crush the revolt.d) avoid a final break with Britain.

One of the Patriots’ advantages was thata) they were fighting for their own homes and property.b) they had an excellent navy.c) Loyalists were on their side.d) many colonists were willing to sign up for long periods of time.

Want to connect to the American Nation link for this section? Click here.

Chapter 6 – Section 1 Study Guide (Onlevel/Honors)

Chapter 6 – Section 1 Study Guide (Onlevel/Honors)

• Read Chapter 6 – Section 1 Study Guide• Complete the Study Guide