People In History ~ George Washington Flashcards
Early life
George Washington, a wealthy farmer from Virginia, had served in the British army in the war against the French. After 1765 he was opposed to British policies and has attended the first continental congress in 1774. I’m 1775, the second continental congress meeting at Philadelphia chose Washington as commander in chief of the American army
Battle of bunker Hill
The British had attempted to end the siege of Boston at the Battle of bunker hill in 1785, but had failed. Washington began to bombard the city with cannons. In March 1776, the British army left the city. Washington has his first victory
New York, Long Island
In the summer of 1776, the British attacked Washington at New York. In the biggest battle of the war in Long Island, they defeated Washington and forced him to leave the city.
Christmas Day 1776
On Christmas Day 1776, Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware river and launches an attack on British troops at Trenton, New Jersey
The winter at valley forge
In 1777, the British defeated Washington and captured the American capital of Philadelphia. Washington was now forced to spend the winter at valley forge near Philadelphia. At the same time the Americans had a very important victory at Saratoga. The Americans, lad by General gates forced a large British army to surrender. This was the turning point of the war. When news of Saratoga reached France, King Louis XVI decided to join the war in support of the Americans
Trapping general Cornwallis
The British sent troops to the south were they believed there was a large number of loyalists who would fight for them. Led by General Cornwallis they took the city of Charleston. Cornwallis then led his troops into Virginia. He found himself trapped by Washington at Yorktown. A French fleet prevented help reaching Cornwallis. He surrendered in October 1781. The war was over - the Americans had won
Later life
Washington became the president in 1789. He served for 2 terms. He then returned to his farm in 1797. He died two years later and is regarded the father of the American nation. The capital of the new nation was named Washington in his honour.
