Class Notes

1. Battles, Events, and Leaders of the American Revolution
Standard 8.25
Essential Question:________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Bell Ringer
Complete the list below:
 __________________________- Prussian born officer who trained
Washington’s troops at Valley Forge. Made the Continental Army a
more efficient fighting force.
 __________________________- Led many attacks into the Northwest
Territory. Won the battles of Kaskaskia and Vincennes. Known as
the “Conqueror of the Old Northwest.”
 __________________________- French aristocrat who became an
officer for Washington. Convinced the king of France to give
supplies and aid to the Americans.
 __________________________- Used “hit and run” tactics to win
battles in the South Carolina region. Known as “The Swamp Fox.”
 __________________________- American military leader who attempted
to turn West Point over to the British. Infamous as being a
traitor. Eventually joined the British army as a brigadier
general.
 __________________________- Commander in Chief of the Continental
Army. Had a tremendous ability to command and inspire troops. Made
great strategic decisions with little resources.

2. Battles of Lexington and Concord
1. Early militia units were called ____________________.
2. Why were they called this? ___________________________
______________________________________________________
3. Why were the British troops trying to get to Concord?
______________________________________________________
4. Who warned the colonists that the British were coming? (Hint:
“The Midnight Ride)
______________________________________________________
5. The small battle at Lexington is often called ______
______________________________________________________
6. Why were the battles of Lexington and Concord significant?
______________________________________________________
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Fort Ticonderoga
7. List two reasons why this fort was desirable for the colonists:
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

3. 8. Who, along with his “Green Mountain Boys,” took Fort
Ticonderoga?
______________________________________________________
9. What was unique about the capture of Fort Ticonderoga?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
10. What effect did the siege of Fort Ticonderoga have on future
battles?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Battle of Bunker Hill (Breed’s Hill)
11. How were American troops different from British troops?
______________________________________________________
12. It took British general, _________________, three attempts to win
the hill.
13. Why did the Americans eventually lose this battle?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
14. What message was sent to the British after this battle?
______________________________________________________

4. ______________________________________________________
15. What quote is became famous at Bunker Hill?
______________________________________________________
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Battles of Trenton and Princeton
16. Why was the voyage across the Delaware River difficult for
Washington’s troops?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
17. Why did the British use Hessian mercenaries during these battles?
______________________________________________________
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18. What strategy did Washington use at the Battle of Trenton?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
19. Why were the victories at Trenton and Princeton significant?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

5. Battle of Saratoga
20. Which American general forced the British to surrender at
Saratoga following heavy casualties?
______________________________________________________
21. What was the significance of the American victory at Saratoga?
______________________________________________________
Valley Forge
22. What kinds of hardships did the Americans face at Valley Forge?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
23. _________________________________ helped by bringing supplies.
24. _________________________________ helped by training soldiers for
future battles.
Battle of Kings Mountain
25. What was significant about the Battle of Kings Mountain?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Battle of Yorktown

6. 26. Why was British general, Charles Cornwallis, trying to get to the
James River and Chesapeake Bay?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
27. How did the French help win the Battle of Yorktown?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
28. Why was the Battle of Yorktown significant?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Extension Activity- Choose ONE of the following activities for
ONE of the major battles of the American Revolution.

7. Illustrated Timeline:
Construct an illustrated
timeline over the major
battles of the Revolution.
Include a short summary
as well as a drawing for
each major event.
- Work with your
assigned partner
- One partner should
construct the
drawings and one
partner should
construct the
summaries
Revolutionary War Leader
Interview Podcast: Choose
a figure from one of the
major battles. Construct an
3-5 minute interview about
the battle.
- Work with your
assigned partner
- In addition to your
recorded podcast,
you should turn in
your interview
script.