Revolution Turning Points Guided Notes
8th Grade U.S. History • Guided Notes
Name: Date: Period:
The Road to Independence Part 1
Fill in the blanks using the first-letter clues and the word bank.
Fill In First Letters
Word Bank • Page 1 (Cross out each word as you use it)
Philadelphia Washington Independence Jefferson Traitors Boston Nova Scotia New York Defeated Pennsylvania Collapse
Topic 1
Second Continental Congress (May 1775 – July 1776)
Meeting City: The Second Continental Congress begins meeting in P_________ to organize colonial defense.
Army Leader: Delegates voted to raise an army and chose George W_________ as Commander-in-Chief.
Call for Freedom: In June 1776, Congress formed a committee to explain why I_________ was necessary.
The Document: Thomas J_________ mainly wrote the Declaration of Independence, approved on July 4, 1776.
Danger of Death: The English King viewed all signers as T_________; if the Patriots lost, their penalty was death.
Topic 2
The War in 1776: Dark Days for the Patriots
Boston Evacuation: In March 1776, Patriots placed artillery on Dorchester Heights, forcing the British to leave B_________.
British Regroup: After evacuating Boston, the British military sailed north to regroup in N___ S_____.
Invasion Force: In July 1776, the British landed 32,000 troops in N__ Y___, including 9,000 German mercenaries (Hessians).
String of Defeats: Late in 1776, Americans were D_________ at Long Island, White Plains, and Fort Lee.
Desperate Retreat: Washington's army was pushed across New Jersey and retreated into P_________.
Near Collapse: Freezing, defeated, and losing soldiers, the Continental Army was near total C_________.
Unit 4: American Revolution Guided Notes Page 1 of 2 • Turn Over to Page 2 →
8th Grade U.S. History • Guided Notes
Name: Date:
Turning the Tide: Victories & Alliances Part 2
Complete the notes for Trenton, Princeton, and the turning point at Saratoga.
Key Turning Points
Word Bank • Page 2 (Cross out each word as you use it)
Christmas Hessians Recruits Jersey Morale Surrender France Turning Point
Topic 3
The Battle of Trenton (December 1776 • New Jersey)
Surprise Crossing: With enlistments expiring, Washington led a surprise attack across the icy Delaware River on C_________ night 1776.
Capturing Hessians: More than 900 German mercenaries called H_________ were captured, and not a single Patriot died in battle.
Inspiring Soldiers: This victory inspired troops to serve longer and attracted new R_________ to join Washington's army.
Topic 4
The Battle of Princeton (January 1777 • New Jersey)
Driving British Out: Washington attacked again in January 1777, driving the British out of central New J_________.
Confidence & Supplies: Trenton and Princeton provided captured supplies and gave the U.S. a huge boost in M_________ (hope and spirit).
Topic 5
The Battle of Saratoga (Sept – Oct 1777 • New York)
Crushing Victory: Nearly 85% of the British northern army was killed or forced to S_________.
Allies in Europe: After hearing of this triumph, the nation of F_________ officially recognized the United States government.
The War's Shift: Ben Franklin helped negotiate a treaty of alliance, making Saratoga the major T___ P____ of the war.
Big Idea Quick Check (Circle the correct answer)
1. Why was Trenton a big deal?
○ (A) It gave soldiers hope to keep fighting
○ (B) It was the final battle of the war
2. Why was Saratoga the turning point?
○ (A) The British army surrendered all of Canada
○ (B) France joined as an ally to help the U.S.
Unit 4: American Revolution Guided Notes Page 2 of 2 • Notes Complete! ✓
Revolution Notes Answer Key
Teacher Answer Key & Facilitation Guide • Part 1
Educator Copy Unit 4: American Revolution
The Road to Independence (Answer Key)
Complete solutions for student guided notes with SPED instructional callouts.
11 / 11 Answers Verified
Quick Key Reference (Page 1)
1. Philadelphia 2. Washington 3. Independence 4. Jefferson 5. Traitors 6. Boston 7. Nova Scotia 8. New York 9. Defeated 10. Pennsylvania 11. Collapse
Topic 1
Second Continental Congress (May 1775 – July 1776)
5 Answers
Meeting City: The Second Continental Congress begins meeting in Philadelphia to organize colonial defense.
Army Leader: Delegates voted to raise an army and chose George Washington as Commander-in-Chief.
Call for Freedom: In June 1776, Congress formed a committee to explain why Independence was necessary.
The Document: Thomas Jefferson mainly wrote the Declaration of Independence, approved on July 4, 1776.
Danger of Death: The English King viewed all signers as Traitors; if the Patriots lost, their penalty was death.
Co-Teaching Note: Remind students why signing was dangerous. Thomas Jefferson was only 33 years old when he drafted the Declaration!
Topic 2
The War in 1776: Dark Days for the Patriots
6 Answers
Boston Evacuation: In March 1776, Patriots placed artillery on Dorchester Heights, forcing the British to leave Boston.
British Regroup: After evacuating Boston, the British military sailed north to regroup in Nova Scotia.
Invasion Force: In July 1776, the British landed 32,000 troops in New York, including 9,000 German mercenaries (Hessians).
String of Defeats: Late in 1776, Americans were Defeated at Long Island, White Plains, and Fort Lee.
