The Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence was signed and adopted on July 4 th 1776 This represented an official declaration of war against the British Government Early Battles ID: 707419
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Slide1
The Battle of Trenton
And the Victory at PrincetonSlide2
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was signed and adopted on July 4
th,
1776This represented an official declaration of war against the British GovernmentSlide3
Early Battles
Most early battles involved few troops
Bunker Hill
2,200 British
1,200 Americans
The British had not won a decisive battle over the Patriots
Summer of 1776British sent 32,000 troops to New YorkGeneral Howe hoped that the huge army would convince the Patriots to give upSlide4
Fighting in New York
Long Island
Washington had fewer than 20,000 troops
But they were determined to fight
Continental Army was outnumbered
They suffered heavy losses
Americans ran short on suppliesCasualtiesBritish – 400
American - 1500
Washington retreats to Manhattan then to New Jersey and on to PennsylvaniaSlide5Slide6
Nathan Hale
Hero at Long Island
Teacher from Connecticut
Disquised
as a Dutch Schoolteacher
Wanted to spy on British
Hale was discovered and hanged“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”Nathan HaleSlide7
A Low Point
Winter of 1776 – 1777
Continental Army dwindles
Soldiers went home or deserted
Washington wrote his brother
If new soldiers were not recruited soon, “I think the game is pretty near up.”
Washington could not believe that the fight for liberty would truly fail.Slide8
African Americans Join the Fight
Continental Army needed soldiers
Estimated 5,000 African-American joined the Patriots
Enslaved Africans who had run away
Fought to earn their freedom
By wars end, all colonies except South Carolina had enlisted African AmericansSlide9
The Winter of 1776-1777
General Howe took his troops to New York for the Winter
He left New Jersey in the hands of the Hessians
Howe’s delay allowed Washington to gather reinforcements
Thomas Paine said, “These are the times that try men’s souls.”
He urged Patriots to remain loyal to their causeSlide10
The Battle of Trenton
Washington plans a surprise attack on the Hessians
December 25, 1776
Washington and his men cross the Delaware River into Trenton
2,500 Men
Lasted less than 1 hour
Patriots captured more than 900 HessiansOnly 5 American Cassualties
The victory boosted American SpiritsSlide11Slide12Slide13
On to Princeton
Washington was not satisfied
Patriots march toward Princeton
January 2, 1777
Patriots keep campfires burning
Left camp under the cover of night
The encircled the British TroopsPrinceton was another victory for the Patriots“It is a fine fox chase, my boys!”
George WashingtonSlide14Slide15