Siege of Boston APUSH, Definition, Lesson Plans

Siege of Boston APUSH provides a quick overview and access to lesson plans and resources for students and teachers preparing for the AP US History exam.

Definition

The Siege of Boston was a prolonged military blockade that began in April 1775 and lasted until March 1776 during the early stages of the American Revolutionary War. Colonial forces, primarily the Continental Army, surrounded British-occupied Boston, preventing the British from resupplying or reinforcing their troops. The siege culminated with the American capture of Dorchester Heights, which forced the British to evacuate Boston.

Quick Facts

Also Known As — The Battle of Boston.
Date — April 19, 1775–March 17, 1776.
Location — Boston, Massachusetts.
Key People Involved — George Washington, Thomas Gage, Artemas Ward, Israel Putnam, Joseph Warren, Henry Knox, John Thomas, William Heath, John Burgoyne, Henry Clinton, William Howe, Nathanael Greene, John Stark.
Historical Context — The Siege of Boston started the same day the Battles of Lexington and Concord happened. It was the first siege of the American Revolutionary War. While American forces continued the siege, a portion of the army was sent to invade Canada in the fall of 1775. Although this operation failed, the British evacuated Boston and did not return for the remainder of the war.

Review

Beginning of the Siege of Boston

The Siege of Boston started after the Battles of Lexington and Concord when the Massachusetts Militia pinned British forces in Boston.

After the Battle of Lexington and the Battle of Concord, British troops marched back to Boston.
Along the way, American militia forces shot at them, including at Parker’s Revenge and the Battle of Menotomy.
When the British reached Charlestown, the Americans stopped their pursuit because there were British ships in the harbor that could fire on them.
The Americans stayed out of range of the guns and set up camps at Cambridge and other areas around Boston.

American Militia Forces Organize

The colonies referred to themselves as the United Colonies at the time, not the United States of America. The name “The Association” was also used, which referred to the Continental Association.

Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut sent militia forces to help keep the British trapped in Boston.
The militia forces set up a siege line from Chelsea, North of Boston, to Roxbury, South of Boston
On April 23, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress voted in favor of calling more men to arms and putting the Massachusetts militia under the command of Artemas Ward.
Joseph Warren was named Major General of the Massachusetts militia.
American forces were known as the New England Army of Observation because the troops were militiamen from the New England Colonies.
The other colonies agreed to put their forces under the command of General Artemas Ward.

British Fortifications

The British built fortifications at:

Barton’s Point
Copp’s Hill
Fort Hill
Across the road to Roxbury
Beacon Hill

Congress Creates the Continental Army

On June 14, the Second Continent Congress reorganized the Army of Observation into the Continental Army.
On June 15, George Washington was named Commander-in-Chief, replacing Artemas Ward.

Battle of Bunker Hill

The Battle of Bunker Hill took place during the Siege of Boston, while Artemas Ward was in command of the Army of Observation.

During the night of June 16, American forces built fortifications on Breed’s Hill.
On June 17, the British bombarded Charlestown and then launched an assault on American positions.
The British charged up the hill twice and were driven back.
However, the Americans ran out of ammunition, and when the British stormed the hill a third time they overran the Americans and forced them to run.
Joseph Warren was killed in the retreat.
Major John Pitcairn, who led the British infantry into Lexington on the morning of April 19, was killed during the battle. Legend has it that an African-American, Peter Salem, was responsible for the shot that killed Pitcairn.

Changes in Command

Washington arrived at Watertown, Massachusetts on July 2. The next day, he took command of the army at Cambridge.
On October 10, William Howe replaced Gage as Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in North America.
Gage sailed to Britain on October 11.

Americans Force the British to Evacuate Boston

Henry Knox traveled to Fort Ticonderoga in New York, retrieved cannons and artillery, and transported them back to Boston. He called his expedition the “Noble Train of Artillery.”
On January 25, Henry Knox and his men arrived with cannons and guns they had retrieved from Fort Ticonderoga.
In early March, the Americans placed the artillery around Boston and started bombarding British positions.
On March 4, the Americans placed cannons on Dorchester Heights, close enough to fire on the British fleet in the harbor.
Howe decided to evacuate Boston on March 7.
The British sailed out of Boston, five miles south to Nantucket Roads.
The British stayed there until March 17, when they sailed to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
March 17 is known as Evacuation Day in Boston.
Americans won the Siege of Boston, even though they were poorly trained compared to the British.

AP US History Significance

The Siege of Boston is important to the APUSH curriculum because it led to the formation of the Continental Army and forced the British to leave Boston. Afterward, the British targeted New York and slowly pushed George Washington and his army out of New York, across New Jersey, and into Pennsylvania. This set up the dramatic Crossing of the Delaware River and Washington’s victory at the Battle of Trenton, which likely saved the American war effort.

Video

This video from the American Battlefield Trust provides a quick overview of the Siege of Boston.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Siege of Boston?

The United Colonies won the Siege of Boston. On March 3, 1776, Continental Army forces placed cannons on Dorchester Heights. The position gave the Americans a tactical advantage, and they could fire on the British ships in Boston Harbor. The British decided to evacuate Boston and left on March 17.

Was the Siege of Boston successful?

Yes, the Siege of Boston was successful — in more ways than one. First, American forces stood up to the British after Lexington and Concord. Second, many colonies sent militia to reinforce the Massachusetts Militia. Finally, Washington was able to keep the army together long enough to force the British evacuation.

When was Evacuation Day in 1776?

Evacuation Day was March 17, 1776. On that day, around 11,000 British troops and hundreds of Loyalists who lived in Boston left the city. They boarded the British ships that were in Boston Harbor and sailed to Halifax. However, the Americans did not know the destination.

Resources

APUSH Units

The Siege of Boston is part of the following:

America Secedes from the Empire (1775–1783)

American History Central Resources

Lesson Plans and External Resources

Written by Randal Rust