America: The Story of Us... Part 2 Revolution

The Patriot

The Treaty of Paris

The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783.

• It formally ended the American Revolutionary War between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the United States of America, which had rebelled against British rule. 
• It acknowledged the Thirteen Colonies as free, sovereign and independent States. 
• It granted the Thirteen Colonies all the territory east of the Mississippi River

The Crisis

These are the times that try men's souls.

The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from 

the service of their country;

but he that stands it NOW,

deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.

Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered;

yet we have this consolation with us,

that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly:

it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.

Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods:

and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. 

Victory at Trenton

Late on December 25, 1776, Washington's army crossed the ice-choked Delaware River in small boats.  On the New Jersey shore, Washington gave his men the password for the long night march ahead: "Victory or Death."

The Hessians, sleeping heavily after their holiday feasting, were quite unaware of the approaching army. About sunrise they were surprised and most of them easily captured after a brief struggle.

African Americans and women who fought in the American Revolution

James Armistead

James Armistead [Lafayette] was an African American spy during the American Revolution. Born in Virginia as a slave to William Armistead in 1760, he volunteered to join the army in 1781. After gaining the consent of his owner, Armistead was stationed to serve under the Marquis de Lafayette, the commander of French forces allied with the American Continental Army.  Lafayette employed Armistead as a spy.  While working for Lafayette he successfully infiltrated British General Charles Cornwallis's headquarters posing as a runaway slave hired by the British to spy on the Americans.

The man in the center of the picture is Crispus Attucks

In 1770, Crispus Attucks, a black man, became the first casualty of the American Revolution when he was shot and killed in what became known as the Boston Massacre. 

Anne Bailey

Known as "Mad Ann" Bailey, she was born in Liverpool, England, and came to America at age 19, probably as an indentured servant.  She was a heroine at the battle of Griswald, often went house to house collecting material for bandages and tended to many wounded.

Margaret Corbin

Her parents were killed by Indian raiders when she was five. She married John Corbin when she was 21.  When he joined the Army she followed her husband. Even Martha Washington went along with General Washington.  Margaret cooked and took care of the sick and wounded.

When Fort Washington was attacked she was helping John load the cannon.  He was shot and killed.  She just stepped up and began firing the cannon.  She was wounded.  She was the first woman to get a pension for her service! 

James Forten

James Forten was born on September 2, 1766. He was a freeman. He grew up in the center of American democracy - Philadelphia.   He loved reading and learning. Soon was working as a sailor. Unfortunately, he was captured by the British and was held as a prisoner of war. The captain of this ship offered to send James to England for an education with his own son.  Forten refused to be a traitor to his country. The captain then traded Forten for a British prisoner. 

For more examples of African Americans and women in the Revolutionary War click HERE!

Military Terms

GENERAL

SOLDIERS

MILITIA

MERCENARIES

BOUNTY HUNTER

GUERRILLAS

George Washington through Historical Paintings

The Declaration of Independence

Excerpt taken from HBO mini series, John Adams.


Seven Key Components of The Declaration of Independence

Drafting the Declaration of Independence

Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson

Common Sense

Published in 1776, Common Sense challenged the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy. The plain language that Paine used spoke to the common people of America and was the first work to openly ask for independence from Great Britain.

If you would like to read the actual pamphlet click HERE! 

Thomas Paine 

The Olive Branch Petition

Even though the war had already started, the Americans still had not declared their independence. With the Olive Branch Petition, they made one last attempt to find a peaceful end to the revolution.

On July 5, 1775, Congress drafted the Olive Branch Petition. It outlined their issues and asked the British government to respond and deal with them. King George III of England refused to accept the petition. He believed the Americans to be in rebellion, and believed he could quickly end it with his military force.

The Siege at Boston

Siege of Boston, (April 1775–March 1776), successful siege by American troops of the British-held city of Boston during the American Revolution.  After the Battles of Lexington and Concord (April 19, 1775), Boston was besieged by American militiamen.  By June, 15,000 raw, undisciplined, ill-equipped colonials—by then called the Continental Army surrounded a force of 6,500 British regulars commanded by General Thomas Gage.

After the Battle of Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775), General George Washington assumed command of American forces, while, in October of that year, General William Howe succeeded Gage as British commander.  Fighting remained stalemated for months, with both sides hesitant to attack.  Finally, on March 4, 1776, Washington seized Dorchester Heights and trained his cannon—newly arrived from Fort Ticonderoga—on the city and harbour. Howe was forced to evacuate Boston by ship (March 17), and the siege ended.

The Battle of Bunker HIll

The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775, just a few months after the start of the American Revolutionary War. 

Boston was being besieged by thousands of American militia. The British were trying to keep control of the city and control its valuable sea ports. The British decided to take two hills, Bunker and Breeds, in order to gain a tactical advantage. The American forces heard about it and went to defend the hills.

The American forces learned that the British were planning on taking over the hills around Boston in order to gain a tactical advantage. As a result of this information, the Americans secretly moved their troops onto Bunker and Breeds Hill, two unoccupied hills just outside of Boston in Charlestown, Massachusetts. They built up fortifications during the night and prepared for battle. 

The next day, when the British realized what had happened, the British attacked. Their commander William Howe led three charges up Breeds Hill. The Americans fought back the first two charges, but started to run out of ammunition and had to retreat at the third charge. The British gained the hill, but their costs were great. Around 226 British were killed and 800 wounded while the Americans did not suffer nearly as many casualties. 

Although the British won the hill and the battle, they paid heavy costs with so many soldiers dying, including many officers. This gave the Americans courage to know that they could stand up to the British in battle. Many more colonists joined the army after this battle and the revolution continued to grow in strength. 

Patrick Henry of Virginia: "Give Me LIBERTY or Give Me DEATH!"