The war has begun....
and, according to the colonists, "It's Too Late To Apologize"!
Here is a great site for information on The Revolutionary War.
The year is 1776 and the conflict in the colonies has escalated to the point of no return. War is eminent! The Colonists decide that they must formally declare their independence from Britain. Delegates from all thirteen colonies meet in Philadelphia to draft one of the most important documents in history. This meeting is know as the Second Continental Congress. They met from May, 1775 - August, 1776. Finally, in June of 1776, it is decided that a young man named Thomas Jefferson and a committee of his choosing, including John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, will write the declaration. They sat down and, in just 17 days, wrote THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE!!!
Once it was written and approved, all 56 delegates signed the declaration, starting with John Hancock. This was an incredibly brave thing to do. They knew that, if Britain won the war, they would all be jailed or hung as traitors! The three signers from Georgia were; Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, and George Walton. Do these names sound familiar to you?
Fun Fact: Even though we celebrate Independence Day on the 4th of July, the Declaration was not actually signed until August. The 4th of July is the day is was first read out loud for everyone to hear.
Here are our class notes on the Declaration of Independence.
Check out this fun Schoolhouse Rock video on
the Declaration of Independence.
Once it was written and approved, all 56 delegates signed the declaration, starting with John Hancock. This was an incredibly brave thing to do. They knew that, if Britain won the war, they would all be jailed or hung as traitors! The three signers from Georgia were; Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, and George Walton. Do these names sound familiar to you?
Fun Fact: Even though we celebrate Independence Day on the 4th of July, the Declaration was not actually signed until August. The 4th of July is the day is was first read out loud for everyone to hear.
Here are our class notes on the Declaration of Independence.
Check out this fun Schoolhouse Rock video on
the Declaration of Independence.
Watch this video if you want to learn more about Thomas Jefferson's conflict with the King.
This video has more information about the writing of the Declaration of Independence.
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams shared a fascinating friendship. Watch this video to learn more.
Fort Ticonderoga and the Green Mountain Boys
On the same day the the Second Continental Congress convenes in Philadelphia, Ethan Allen and his "Green Mountain Boys" joined up with Benedict Arnold and his soldiers to launch a sneak attack on Fort Ticonderoga. The took the fort without firing a shot. This was the first battle of the Revolutionary War. (May, 1775)
Here are our class notes on Fort Ticonderoga.
On the same day the the Second Continental Congress convenes in Philadelphia, Ethan Allen and his "Green Mountain Boys" joined up with Benedict Arnold and his soldiers to launch a sneak attack on Fort Ticonderoga. The took the fort without firing a shot. This was the first battle of the Revolutionary War. (May, 1775)
Here are our class notes on Fort Ticonderoga.
The Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill took place outside of Boston on June 16, 1775. The colonists lost this battle, but the British sustained heavy casualties and they finally realized that the colonists were not going to give up! This battle took place while the Second Continental Congress was meeting in Philadelphia. It was one of the events that spurred them to write the Declaration of Independence.
Fun Fact: This is where we first here the saying, "Don't fire 'till you see the whites of their eyes!"
The Battle of Bunker Hill took place outside of Boston on June 16, 1775. The colonists lost this battle, but the British sustained heavy casualties and they finally realized that the colonists were not going to give up! This battle took place while the Second Continental Congress was meeting in Philadelphia. It was one of the events that spurred them to write the Declaration of Independence.
Fun Fact: This is where we first here the saying, "Don't fire 'till you see the whites of their eyes!"
Watch this video on the Battle of Bunker Hill.
The Battles of Trenton and Princeton
These were the famous battles that began when Washington crossed the Delaware on Christmas night, 1776. The Americans surprised the Hessians (German soldiers hired by the British) who were exhausted from their holiday celebrations. The Battle of Trenton lasted only 45 minutes and 900 - 1000 Hessians were taken prisoner. The Americans continued their march to Princeton and won there too! These were important victories for the weary Americans, and they were an opportunity to gain some badly needed guns and ammunition.
These were the famous battles that began when Washington crossed the Delaware on Christmas night, 1776. The Americans surprised the Hessians (German soldiers hired by the British) who were exhausted from their holiday celebrations. The Battle of Trenton lasted only 45 minutes and 900 - 1000 Hessians were taken prisoner. The Americans continued their march to Princeton and won there too! These were important victories for the weary Americans, and they were an opportunity to gain some badly needed guns and ammunition.
Here is a video on Washington's surprise attack on Trenton.
The Battles of Saratoga
The Battles of Saratoga were actually two significant battles during September and October of 1777, they were a crucial victory for the Patriots and are considered the turning point of the Revolutionary War. The Battles were the reassurance that France needed to enter the war against Britain. The decisive victory gave the French a reason to believe that the Americans could win. These battles also re-invigorating Washington’s Continental Army and providing much needed supplies and support.
The Battles of Saratoga were actually two significant battles during September and October of 1777, they were a crucial victory for the Patriots and are considered the turning point of the Revolutionary War. The Battles were the reassurance that France needed to enter the war against Britain. The decisive victory gave the French a reason to believe that the Americans could win. These battles also re-invigorating Washington’s Continental Army and providing much needed supplies and support.
Here is a video on the Battle of Saratoga.
The Winter at Valley Forge
Washington and his troops settled in for the winter of '77 - '78 just outside Philadelphia, in Valley Forge, PA. The winter was extremely harsh and the living conditions were poor. They had little food, clothing, or supplies. 2,500 of the 10,000 men died of typhoid fever, dysentery, pneumonia, starvation, or hypothermia. Washington gained the respect of his men by staying with them all winter and living in the same conditions as they were.
A Prussian drill sergeant, Baron Von Steuben, spent the winter with the Americans. He trained them in the skills of warfare and turned them from patriots with guns, into a trained fighting force. This winter was vital for the training and commitment of the American soldiers.
Here is some more information on the Winter at Valley Forge.
Kid Port Reference Library: Valley Forge
Eyewitness to History
Library ThinkQuest: Valley Forge
Washington and his troops settled in for the winter of '77 - '78 just outside Philadelphia, in Valley Forge, PA. The winter was extremely harsh and the living conditions were poor. They had little food, clothing, or supplies. 2,500 of the 10,000 men died of typhoid fever, dysentery, pneumonia, starvation, or hypothermia. Washington gained the respect of his men by staying with them all winter and living in the same conditions as they were.
A Prussian drill sergeant, Baron Von Steuben, spent the winter with the Americans. He trained them in the skills of warfare and turned them from patriots with guns, into a trained fighting force. This winter was vital for the training and commitment of the American soldiers.
Here is some more information on the Winter at Valley Forge.
Kid Port Reference Library: Valley Forge
Eyewitness to History
Library ThinkQuest: Valley Forge
Watch this video to learn more about the Winter at Valley Forge.
The Articles of Confederation
The Article of Confederation were American first attempt at a unified government. It was not successful for many different reasons, but it was a good first try! We'll be studying more about this in our next unit, but you can check out these links for more information.
Congress for Kids
SS for Kids
Ben's Guide
The Article of Confederation were American first attempt at a unified government. It was not successful for many different reasons, but it was a good first try! We'll be studying more about this in our next unit, but you can check out these links for more information.
Congress for Kids
SS for Kids
Ben's Guide
The Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown was the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. In September of 1781, General George Washington, commanding a force of 17,000 French and Continental troops, began the siege against British General Lord Charles Cornwallis and a contingent of 9,000 British troops at Yorktown, Virginia.
Earlier, in a stroke of luck for the Patriots, the French fleet commanded by Francois, Count de Grasse, departed St. Domingue (the then-French colony that is now Haiti) for the Chesapeake Bay, just as Cornwallis chose Yorktown, at the mouth of the Chesapeake, as his base. Washington realized that it was time to act. He ordered Marquis de Lafayette and an American army of 5,000 troops to block Cornwallis' escape from Yorktown by land, while the French naval fleet blocked the British escape by sea. By September 28, Washington had completely encircled Cornwallis and Yorktown with the combined forces of Continental and French troops. After three weeks of non-stop bombardment, both day and night, from cannon and artillery, Cornwallis surrendered to Washington in the field at Yorktown on October 17, 1781, effectively ending the War for Independence.
Check out this map of the battle. We really had them surrounded!!
The Battle of Yorktown was the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. In September of 1781, General George Washington, commanding a force of 17,000 French and Continental troops, began the siege against British General Lord Charles Cornwallis and a contingent of 9,000 British troops at Yorktown, Virginia.
Earlier, in a stroke of luck for the Patriots, the French fleet commanded by Francois, Count de Grasse, departed St. Domingue (the then-French colony that is now Haiti) for the Chesapeake Bay, just as Cornwallis chose Yorktown, at the mouth of the Chesapeake, as his base. Washington realized that it was time to act. He ordered Marquis de Lafayette and an American army of 5,000 troops to block Cornwallis' escape from Yorktown by land, while the French naval fleet blocked the British escape by sea. By September 28, Washington had completely encircled Cornwallis and Yorktown with the combined forces of Continental and French troops. After three weeks of non-stop bombardment, both day and night, from cannon and artillery, Cornwallis surrendered to Washington in the field at Yorktown on October 17, 1781, effectively ending the War for Independence.
Check out this map of the battle. We really had them surrounded!!
Here is more information on the Battle of Yorktown.
ThinkQuest on the Battle of Yorktown
SS For Kids: Yorktown
Battle of Yorktown
Here is a video on the American Victory at Yorktown!
The Treaty of Paris 1783
(Yes, another one)
The Treaty of Paris was signed in Paris on September 3, 1783. It was the official end of the Revolutionary War. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay represented America and David Hartley, a member of Parliament, represented Britain. Under the terms of the treaty, Britain recognized the independent nation of the United States of America. Britain agreed to remove all of its troops from America. The treaty also set new borders for the United States including all land from the Great Lakes on the north to Florida on the south, and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River. The United States agreed to allow British troops still in America to leave. America agreed to pay all existing debts owed to Britain. They also agreed not to persecute loyalists still in America, and allow those that left America to return.
Here is more information on the Treaty.
Britannica Online: Treaty of Paris
In the words of Benjamin Franklin
(Yes, another one)
The Treaty of Paris was signed in Paris on September 3, 1783. It was the official end of the Revolutionary War. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay represented America and David Hartley, a member of Parliament, represented Britain. Under the terms of the treaty, Britain recognized the independent nation of the United States of America. Britain agreed to remove all of its troops from America. The treaty also set new borders for the United States including all land from the Great Lakes on the north to Florida on the south, and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River. The United States agreed to allow British troops still in America to leave. America agreed to pay all existing debts owed to Britain. They also agreed not to persecute loyalists still in America, and allow those that left America to return.
Here is more information on the Treaty.
Britannica Online: Treaty of Paris
In the words of Benjamin Franklin
Here are two examples of timelines of the American Revolution.
Timeline from our class notes
Climb the Ladder to American Independence
Timeline from our class notes
Climb the Ladder to American Independence
Unit Vocabulary
redcoat
loyalist
patriot
continental
unalienable (rights "given by God")
self-evident
consent of the governed
independence
liberty
Traitor
redcoat
loyalist
patriot
continental
unalienable (rights "given by God")
self-evident
consent of the governed
independence
liberty
Traitor
Our unit two assessment is a keynote project where each student will research the five most important events of the Revolutionary War, plus an additional event/person/topic that he or she finds interesting. Read the document below for more information and the guidelines for the project.