The American The American RevolutionRevolution

NC HistoryNC History

The Colonists PrepareThe Colonists Prepare

Few Colonists wanted Few Colonists wanted war with Britain, war with Britain, however many began however many began to prepare for battle.to prepare for battle.– Ordinary citizens armed Ordinary citizens armed

themselves and trained themselves and trained to fight.to fight.

– They called themselves They called themselves MinutemenMinutemen because because they could be ready to they could be ready to fight at a minute’s fight at a minute’s notice.notice.

The Battle of Lexington and The Battle of Lexington and Concord.Concord.

– In Massachusetts governor In Massachusetts governor General Thomas GageGeneral Thomas Gage was ordered to arrest two was ordered to arrest two leaders of the leaders of the Sons of Sons of Liberty.Liberty.

He was also required to He was also required to confiscate any weapons confiscate any weapons and ammunition that and ammunition that had been stockpiled by had been stockpiled by the minutemen.the minutemen.

– John HancockJohn Hancock and and Samuel Samuel AdamsAdams were in were in LexingtonLexington, , a small town 20 miles North a small town 20 miles North of Boston.of Boston.

The minutemen had The minutemen had hidden an arsenal in the hidden an arsenal in the nearby town of Concord.nearby town of Concord.

– On April 18, 1775, 700 On April 18, 1775, 700 British British “Red Coats”“Red Coats” marched on Lexington.marched on Lexington.

The Midnight RideThe Midnight Ride – The Sons of Liberty The Sons of Liberty

heard of the British heard of the British plan and arranged a plan and arranged a system to warn the system to warn the Colonists between Colonists between Lexington and Lexington and Concord.Concord.

– Three messengersThree messengers, , Paul Revere, William Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Dawes, and Samuel PrescottPrescott, would ride , would ride on horseback along on horseback along three different routes three different routes and warn the colonists. and warn the colonists.

The fate of the RidersThe fate of the Riders

Paul Revere was captured by Red Paul Revere was captured by Red Coats soon after he left Lexington.Coats soon after he left Lexington.

Dawes was thrown from his horse Dawes was thrown from his horse and captured.and captured.

Prescott was the only one who Prescott was the only one who managed to complete his route and managed to complete his route and warn the Colonists at Concord. warn the Colonists at Concord.

Battle of Lexington and Concord Battle of Lexington and Concord cont.cont.

– By the time the British arrived in By the time the British arrived in Lexington, 70 Minutemen had assembled Lexington, 70 Minutemen had assembled on the village green (a common meeting on the village green (a common meeting area in the center of the town.)area in the center of the town.)Both sides were under orders not to Both sides were under orders not to

shoot.shoot.– Somehow a shot was accidentally Somehow a shot was accidentally

fired and the fired and the Revolutionary WarRevolutionary War began.began.

No one knows which side fired the No one knows which side fired the first shot.first shot.

The Battle of Bunker Hill, June The Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 177517, 1775

Would become known as one of the fiercest Would become known as one of the fiercest battles of the American Revolution.battles of the American Revolution.

To gain control of the Charlestown To gain control of the Charlestown Peninsula, the Americans built a fort on Peninsula, the Americans built a fort on ““Breed’s HillBreed’s Hill.”.”

– The British were ordered to attack the fort and The British were ordered to attack the fort and drive the Patriots out.drive the Patriots out.

The Americans fought bravely but were The Americans fought bravely but were running low on gunpowder.running low on gunpowder.

– Forced to retreat.Forced to retreat.– Despite the loss of the Fort, the Despite the loss of the Fort, the Patriots Patriots

proved that they could stand up to the proved that they could stand up to the British in battle.British in battle.

NC BattlesNC Battles Battles of Moores Creek BridgeBattles of Moores Creek Bridge::

– To prevent a meeting b/t Loyalists and To prevent a meeting b/t Loyalists and the British, Patriots ambushed a group the British, Patriots ambushed a group of loyalists along the road to Wilmington of loyalists along the road to Wilmington near near Moores CreekMoores Creek..

Battle of Guilford CourthouseBattle of Guilford Courthouse::– Patriots led by Patriots led by Nathaneal GreeneNathaneal Greene

fought Red Coats near what would be fought Red Coats near what would be Greensboro NC.Greensboro NC.

– British technically won, but lost over ¼ British technically won, but lost over ¼ of their soldiers.of their soldiers.

NC was FIRST IN FREEDOM!NC was FIRST IN FREEDOM! ResolveResolve: formal statement of purpose.: formal statement of purpose. The The Mecklenburg ResolvesMecklenburg Resolves severed the severed the

ties between England and Mecklenburg ties between England and Mecklenburg County, NC.County, NC.– Created an independent local government for Created an independent local government for

Mecklenburg County.Mecklenburg County.– Drawn up more than a year before the Drawn up more than a year before the

Declaration of Independence.Declaration of Independence. The The Halifax ResolvesHalifax Resolves made the very first made the very first

official call for independence from official call for independence from England.England.– Also urged that all the Colonies should declare Also urged that all the Colonies should declare

independence together.independence together.

Battle of Yorktown Battle of Yorktown October 19, 1781October 19, 1781

The last battle of the Revolution.The last battle of the Revolution.– The Patriots were helped by more than The Patriots were helped by more than

7,000 French Troops and the French 7,000 French Troops and the French Navy.Navy.

The British Surrendered.The British Surrendered. The document called the “Treaty of The document called the “Treaty of

Paris” officially ended the war.Paris” officially ended the war.– Britain recognized the Colonies Britain recognized the Colonies

IndependenceIndependence– Officially set the borders of the new Officially set the borders of the new

United States of America!United States of America!

Revolutionary PersonalitiesRevolutionary Personalities

George WashingtonGeorge Washington– General in charge of the Continental General in charge of the Continental

Army.Army.– His excellent leadership resulted in His excellent leadership resulted in

Patriot victory despite many Patriot victory despite many disadvantages.disadvantages.

Lord Charles CornwallisLord Charles Cornwallis– In charge of the British forces in the In charge of the British forces in the

Southern Colonies.Southern Colonies.

Revolutionary Personalities cont.Revolutionary Personalities cont.

Nathaneal GreeneNathaneal Greene– Commanded Colonial Troops in the Commanded Colonial Troops in the

south.south.– Known for his ability to defeat the British Known for his ability to defeat the British

with a small number of men and just a with a small number of men and just a few basic supplies.few basic supplies.

Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin– America’s Ambassador to France.America’s Ambassador to France.– Convinced the French to aid the Patriots.Convinced the French to aid the Patriots.