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Lexington and Concord
These battles were the first ones of the American Revoltion. It is known as the shot heard around the world. Militiamen made the British retreat and the colonial army won. -
Bunker HIll
The British won the Battle of Bunker Hill. Despite losing their strategic positions, the battle built the confidence of the Americans. They showed that the British were not easily going to win the war. -
Declaration of Independence
Twelve colonies voted in favor of the Declaration of Independence. This Declaration stated that the colonies were free and independent states. It made official what had already been happening; as the War of Independence was in full swing. -
Battle of Long Island
British won and it gave them control of the strategically important city of New York. In the American Revolutionary War it was the first major battle to take place after the United States declared independence on July 4, 1776. Continental army retreted to Manhattan then again to New Jersey. -
Battle of Trenton
Washington's army crosses Delaware river for a surprise attack on the Hessians. Forced 1000 German soldiers to surrender. American forces won and put an end to the string of British victories. -
Batles of Saratoga
Burgoyne led a three-pronged attack and Howe's troops attacked the Continetal Congress. Americans captured a portion of the British defenses when Burgoyne attacked Bemis Heights. Then the American troops forced him to surrennder in Saratoga. -
Articles of Confedertation
This was a document signed amongst the 13 original colonies that established the United States of America as a confederation of sovereign states and served as its first constitution. -
Valley Forge
200 officers resignnd, and 4000 soldiers either died or deserted at Valley Forge. However Baron von Stuben raised a tough and better disciplined force. Baron was appointed as inspector general of the Continental army. -
Treaty of Alliance
After the battles of Saratoga, the French decided that America was worth fighting with and joined the war on the Americans side. This treaty stated that once France entered the war, neither partner would sign a seperate peace without the liberty, sovereignty and independece of the United States. -
Philipsburg Proclamation
Issued by Sir Henry Clinton, the Proclomation promised protection, freedom and land to any slaves who left their master. This was a move of desperation on the part of the British, who realized that the war was not going in their favor. Led 30,000 slaves to take refruge behind British lines. -
Change of Command
Clinton forced the surrender of Charleston, South Carolina. PLus the 5000 troops occupying it. Then Lord Charles Cornwallis assumed command of the British forces. -
Change of Command
After Horatio Gates was defeated in Camden by Cornwallis, George Washington put Nathanael Greene in command in order to recapture the Carolinas. Cornwallis had taken control of South Carolina at the battle of Camden. -
Battle of Guilford Court House
American forces under the command of General Greene attacked British forces commanded by General Cornwalis at Guilford Court House. The British forces won a tactical victory, but British losses were too heavy for Cornwalis' forces to bear. Thus the battle was an American win. -
Ratification of Articles of Confederation
The formal ratification by all 13 states was completed in early 1781. Even when not yet ratified, the Articles provided domestic and international legitimacy for the Continental Congress to direct the American Revolutionary War, conduct diplomacy with Europe and deal with territorial issues and Native American relations. -
Surrender at Yorktown
General Cornwalis went to Yorktown and began preparing a naval base there. General Washington moved south and, together with French ground and naval forces, surrounded the British army, forcing its surrender. This victory by Washington and French forces ended the war. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
This treaty ended the American Revolutionary War between Great Britain and the United States of America. Great Britian formallyh recognized American independence and relinquished its claims to land south of the Great Lakes and east of Mississippi River. -
Treaty of Versailles
This treaty was signed simultaneously as the Treaty of Paris. Britain made peace with France and Spain. Both American allies did not gain much land. Spain reclaimed Florida, and France got Caribbean island of Tobago. -
Philadelphia Convention
This convention was a meeting to address problems of the government under the Articles of Confederation. James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, wanted to create a new government rather than fix the existing one. The delegates elected George Washington to preside over the Convention. Lasted till September 17, 1787. -
U.S. Constituion Signed
The members of the Constitutional Convention signed the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Constitutional Convention convened in response to dissatisfaction with the Articles of Confederation and the need for a strong centralized government. After months of debate and many compromises, the proposed Constitution was submitted to the states for approval. -
The Federalist Papers
This is a collection of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay promoting the ratification of the United States Constitution. Federalist No. 10, in which Madison discusses the means of preventing rule by majority faction and advocates a large, commercial republic, is one of the most important. -
Ratification of the Constitution
To win over other delagates, federalist leaders assured the convention that they would recommend a national bill of rights. Massachusetts ratified, then MAryland, South Carolina and New Hampshire. June 21 the constituion is offically established becasue 9 out 0f 13 states ratified it. North Carolina becomes the twelfth state to ratify the Constitution in 1789.
