Topic
Background/Factual
Information
 British marched west of Boston to seize
colonists munitions at Concord
Lexington
and Concord
 British had a total of almost 1,800
soldiers compare to almost 4,000
American militia
 British took most of Lexington but were
turned back by the Americans and Capt.
John Parker using guerrilla fighting style.
 Americans occupied Bunker Hill.
 British attacked on Breed’s Hill but their
Battle of
Bunker Hill
plan was complex and they
underestimated the Americans.
 Britain forced Americans to withdraw
and won but suffered heavy losses
 British losses in the first 2 battles equaled
1/4 of the army in Boston; proved the war
would last longer than expected
 Followed Washington’s retreat from NY.
 At Trenton, his army crossed the
Trenton/Princeton
Delaware River on early Christmas
morning, 1776. They caught the British
& Hessians off guard taking over 1,000
hostages with 0 American casualties.
 At Trenton, on Jan. 3, 1777 Washington
was victorious against the British.
 Both victories boosted American spirits.
 Britain planned to take control of the
Battle of
Saratoga
Hudson River Valley, cutting the patriots
in New England from the other colonies.
 3 British generals were to meet in NYC.
 B. Arnold & H. Gates’ men won victories
and forced a British surrender.
 The victory was a turning point which
later led to European allies (France and
Spain) fighting with the Americans.
Interesting Info from
Date/Location/
the Poster
Outcome (importance)
Background/Factual
Information
Topic
 Washington’s army spent the winter of


Valley Forge




Battle of
Flamborough Head:
USS Bonhomme
Richard vs.
HMS Serapis
‘77-’78 camped here in Pennsylvania.
Soldiers lived in poorly made tents.
They lacked proper clothing, food, and
supplies
It was known as the “Winter of terrible
suffering”
Baron von Steuben trained the soldiers.
Lafayette suffered with the Americans.
The men who endured used it as a fuel
to encourage them in the future.
 John Paul Jones led 4 ships, including
his U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard against 2
British ships, led by the H.M.S. Serapis.
 Americans were aided by a French ship
 Jones was able to force the Serapis to
surrender. He told the Brits “I have not
yet begun to fight!” when demanded to
surrender.
 The battle was an embarrassment for
the British Navy and made Jones a hero.
 In late March, 1780, the British turned
their attention to the Southern colonies.
Siege of
Charleston
 The port was attacked and it forced the
surrender of 4,500 patriots.
 It was greatest loss of American
manpower and equipment of the war.
 It gave the British almost complete
control of the South.
 Washington met the British in VA with
Battle of
Yorktown
3 armies: his, one led by Lafayette, and
a French army
 The French navy blocked the British
retreat and supplies at Chesapeake Bay.
 The British surrendered.
 Motivated the negotiation of the Treaty
of Paris to end the war due to its
unpopularity in Great Britain.
Interesting Info from
Date/Location/
the Poster
Outcome (importance)