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Lexington and Concord
Commander Thomas Gage ordered all of his British soldiers to march toward Concord. Their goal was to seize the Patriot's stock pile of weapons located there. The Patriots had their signal for when the British were marching: "One if by land, two if by sea." Paul Revere is the most famous messenger, although he never made it to his destination. The British were forced to retreat, and suffered humilation from their defeat by colonists. The revolution was on. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Although it is remembered as the Battle of Bunker Hill, the battle took place on Breed's Hill. It was a win for the British, but they suffered the tremendous loss of 800 wounded and 226 killed. They even lost a large number of officers. The patriots may have lost, but they proved that they could take on the British soldiers. Their commander told them "Don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes." The British lost twice the amount of soldiers. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a unanimous decision. The primary author was Thomas Jefferson. The declaration listed their 27 grievances from being under British control. The Second Continental Congress said they "hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal... that they are endowed with certain unalienable rights." The delaration formmally anounced the colonies' separation from England. The author claimed that this was a right to the colonists. -
Battle of Long Island
The British had noticed the importance of New York to the Patriots fr communications between the north and south parts of the colonies. The Battle of Long Island was the British attempt of seizing control of New York. In this action, they would then isolate New England from the other twelve colonies. The British were successful in seizing New York and the defeat could have caused the surrender of Washington's soldiers. However, he escaped and continued fighting the British force. -
Battle of Trenton
On Christmas night in 1776, Washington and his troops were crossing the Delaware to go take on the Hessians. If they did not win this battle, Washington would be fired and his troops would not re-enlist at the start of the new year. General Howe (British) was certain the Continental Army would disband and left New Jersey in the Hessian's hands. The Hessians were not expecting the arrival of the patriots. After the Hessians were defeated, Washington's soldiers re-enlisted and his job was saved. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga is known as the turning point of the revulotion. France was awaiting the win of the patriots until they would join their side. When the patriots defeated the British, France agreed to fight alongside the colonists and give them supplies that would help them take on the world's superpower, England. -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown was the last major battle fought in the Revolutionary War. Leading up to the battle, the Patriots were running low on money to pay their soldiers and buy supplies. The British, at this point, held most of the south, New York, and Philadelphia. George Washington saw a chance to trap the British General, Charles Cornwallis, in Yorktown. The French-American army marched toward Yorktown and cut off escape routes. After weeks of fighting Cornwallis and his soldiers surrendered. -
Treaty of Paris
Great Britain lacked the money to pay for a new army and started having "peace talk" with the Americans. The delegates took over two years to agree on the terms in which they would be free. In the treaty, Great Britain recognized the independence of America and set American boundaries in the Treaty. The areas west of the colonies were back open for settlement and trade thanks to the British leaders.
