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Battle of Lexington and Concord
The battle is important due to being the first official battle of the war. It is known as the shot heard around the world. British won at Lexington and colonist won at Concord by chasing British back to Boston. -
Capture of Fort of Ticonderoga
Benedict Arnold along with Ethan Allan and the Green Mountain Boys take the fort. Much needed supplies will be taken. The fort will be later recaptured by the British. -
Second continental congress meets
Convention of delegates from the 13 colonies in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Managed the colonial war effort, and moved incrementally towards independence on July 4, 1776. By raising armies, directing strategy, appointing diploments, and making formal treaties, the congress acted as the de facto national government of what became the united states. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The British defeated the Americans with the help of commander Sir Thomes Gage. Despite their loss, the inexperienced colonial forces inflicted significant casualties against the enemy. The battle provided them with an important confidence boost. Also commonly the fighting was mostly on Breeds Hill, it's referred to as Bunker Hill. -
George Washington named commander-in-chief
Father of the united states was selected over other (June 19, 1775) candidates such as John Hancock based on his previous military experience and the hope that a leader from Virginia could help unite the colonies. -
American defeat at Quebec
Patriots forces under colonial Benedict Arnold and General Richard Montgomery attempted to capture the British- occupied city of Quebec and with it win support for the American cause in Canada. The attack failed, and the effort cost Montgomery his life. The Battle of Quebec was the first major defeat of the Revolutionary war for the Americans. -
British evacuate Boston
British forces are forced to evacuate Boston following patriot General George Washington's successful placement of fortifications and cannons on Dorchester Heights, which overlooks the city from the south. -
Declaration of Independene Issued
The 13 American colonies severed their political connections to Great Britain. The declaration summerized the colonists' motivations for seeking their independence. By declaring themselves an independent nation, the American colonists were able to conclude an official alliance with the goverment of the France and obtain French assistance in the war against Great Britain. It was authored by Thomes Jefferson. -
Battle of Long Island
The British Army successfully moved against the American Continental Army led by George Washington. The battle was part of a British campaign to seize control of New York and thereby isolate New England from the rest of the colonies. Washington's defeat could have led to the surrender of his entire force, but his ingenuity insted allowed him to escape and continue the fight. It was though a British Victory. -
British occupy New York
32000 British and hired Hessian troops assembled.General George Washington had only 20000 untrained men in his command and meager supplies. British commanders,Major General William Howe and Vice Admiral Richard Howe, were reluctant to attack.They hope that nothing more than a show of force would be necessary to subdue the colonies.This accounts for the long intervals that passed between the battles that took place in N.Y and the frequent failure of the British to capitalize on avictorywithpusuit -
Battle of Trenton
General George Washington and his army crossed the Delaware river. When they arrived in Trenton the Hessians were not prepared for such an attack force. They soon surrendered. The casuattles were low on both sides with the Hessians suffering 22 deaths and 83 injuries and the Americans 2 deaths and 5 injuries. The Americans captured around 1000 Hessians. -
Battle of Brandywine
Fought between the American army of Major General George Washington and the British army of General Sir William Howe. The British defeated the Americans and forced them to withdraw toward the American capital of Philadelphia. -
British occupy Philadelphia
In anticipation of their arrival, the capital abandoned by the patriots and many in the business community. Things were in turmoil until the forts held by Patriots were taken by the British and a steady supply of food and equipment flowed into the city. They were ready to settle in for warm, cozy, and party-filled winter. When the French alliance was announced the occupying British feared an attack from the French armada and quickly abandoned the city, leaving the tories unprotected and frighten -
Battle of Saratoga
Fought 18 days apart, the 2 battles of saratoga were the turning points to the American Revolution. British General John Burgoyne achieved a small but costly victory over American forces led by Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold. Though his troop strength had been weakened, Burgoyne again attacked, but this time was deafeted and the American victory convinced the French Government to formally recognize the colonist's cause and enter the war as their ally. -
Articles of Confederation adopted
An agreement among the 13 founding states that established the United States of American as a confederation of sovereign states and served as its first constitutuin. The authors were the Continental Congress. -
Winter at Vally Forge
In Pennsylvania was the site of the military camp of the American Continental Army over the winter of 1777-1778 during the American Revolutionary War. It is approximately 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Starvation, disease, and exposure killed nearly 2500 American soldiers by the end of February 1778. -
Alliance with France
France and America, formed in the midst of the American Revolutionary War, which promised military support in case of attack by British forces indefinitely into the future. Delegates of King Louis XVI of France and the 2 continental congress signed the Treaty. -
Battle of Monmouth Court House
The continental army under general George Washington attacked the rear of the British Army colmn commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton as they left Monmouth Court House. British Tactical victory strategical draw. Washington tried to hit the exhausted British rear guard on both flanks, but darkness forced the end of the engagement. -
Fall of Savannah
Between local American Patriot militia and Continental Army units holding the city and a British invasion force under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Archibald campbell. It was the opening move in the British southern strategy to regain control of the rebellious southern provinces by appealing to the strong Loyalist sentiment believed to be there. British victory, he successfully flanked the American position outside the town. -
Spain enters the war
Spain's King Charles III wouldn't consent to a treaty of alliance with the United States. For one imperial power to encourage another impenal power's colonies in revolt was a treacherous game, and he was unwilling to play. However, French foreign Minister Charles Gravier, comte de vergennes, managed to negotiate a treaty with spain to jion their war against British. As the ally of the United States' ally, spain managed to endorse the revolt at a critical diplomatic distance. -
Siege of Charleston
One of the major battles. After the British began to shift their strategic focus towards the American southern colonies. After about 6 weeks of seige, continental army Major General Benjamin Lincoln surrendered forces numbering about 5000 to the British. It was a British Victory. -
Benedict Arnold's Treson discovered
Discovered by 3 young patriots who grew suspicious of a passerby who turned out to be a British spy, John Andre. -
French and British battle in Chesapeake Bay
Battle was tactically inconclusive but strategically a major defeat for the British.Since it prevented the Royal Navy from reinforcing or evacuating the blockaded forces of Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown,When the French were able to achieve temporary control of the sea lanes against the British, the result was the reinforcement of the rebel army with siege artillery and French troops-all of which proved decisive in the siege of Yorktown, effectively securing American Independence -
Siege of Yorktown
General George Washington, commanding a force of 17000 French and continental troops, begins the siege known as the Battle of Yorktown against British General Lord Charles Cornwallis and a contingent of 9000 British troops at Yorktown,Virginia, in the most important battle of the Revolutionary War. -
Cornwallis surrenders
Surrenders 8000 British soldiers ans seamen to a French and American force at Yorktown,Virginia, bringing the American Revolution to a close.
