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Battles at Lexington and Concord
Gerneral Gage in Boston sent 700 British troops to Concord to arrest Sam Adams and John Hanncock and capture militia supplies. There was a small batle in Lexington and the British continued to Concord where the colonial militia assembled and forced the British to retreat to Boston. This battle showed that the colonists will fight and will resist the British military before the Decloration of Independance was signed. -
Second Continental Congress
The congress created a colonial army and nominated George Washington to lead the military. The congress also decided to invade Canada to stop a British invasion from the north. -
Declaration of Independence
Congress approved the Decloration of Independence which justified American Independence and bringing republicanism to Americans. The Declaration was wrtten by Thomas Jefferson. In the Declaration popluar sovereignty and other political values for the new nation. -
Battle of Long Island
General Howe was ordered to capture New York City by Lord North to show the strength of the British. The British outflanked Washington's troops and forced Washington to retreat to New Jersey. -
Battle of Trenton
Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware River at midnight and marched 9 miles to invade a camp of German soldiers. Washington's surprise attack in the middle of winter caught the British off guard and forced a surrender from the Brtitish. This new strategy showed the colonists not fighting a normal war. -
Battle of Saratoga
American troops led by General Gage forced General Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga resulting in a colonial victory. The Patroits cut off British supply and surrended the Brits with no escape route. This inpart to Gerneal Hoew not sending British troops to New York. -
Articles of Confederation
This document created a country in which "each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence". The new country lacked the power to tax the states and the population. -
Valley Forge
Washington retreats to Valley Forge for the winter of 1777. Washington's men began to strave, leave and commit crimes resulting in the death of many colonial soldiers. Baron von Steuben came to Valley Forge and trained the American military with drill and professionalism which caused highly discilined military. -
Treaty of Allience
Benjamin Franklin signed a treaty that provided French military assistance to the colonies. In return the colonies will recognize any French holdings in the West Indies. -
Repeal Tea and Prohibitory acts
British Parlement repeals the tea and prohibitory acts and renounces its power to tax America. The Patriots reject the offer from the British. -
British take Savannah
Colonel Archibald Campbell invades Savannah, Georgia to begin the British's southern strategy. By 1779 the British had 10,000 troops posted for an invasion of South Carolina. -
Philipsburg Proclamation
Put into effect by Sir Henry Clinton, this proclamation declared that any slave left a patriot master will recieve land, protection and freedom form the British. Over 30,000 slaves joined the British. This cause General Washington to allow blacks to enlist in the Continental Army. -
British take Charleston
The British take over Charleston, South Carolina. This is important for the British because the port of Charleston is the second most important port for the colonies. 5,000 colonial troops surrendered with the town. -
Camden
Lord Charles Cornwallis takes control of the southern British army. He then defeats General Gates at Camden, SC. Cornwallis has taken South Carolina from the Patriots. -
1780 French send troops
Marguis de Lafayette persuaded King Louis XVI to send troops to the colonies. 5,500 French troops under Gernal Comte de Rochambeau land in Newport, Rhode Island threatering the British hold on New York City. -
Guerrilla Warfare
General Francis Marison engages the British in several small yyet successful battles. This new style of fighting had the colonist poping up everywhere and firing on the British and runing away before the British have time to react. -
Battle of Cowpens
General Morgan led an American victory at Cowpens, SC. This began to weaken the British moral and holding in SC. -
Battle at Guilford Court House
General Greene fought Cornwallis at Guilford Courthouse. The bloddy battle ended in a draw as there was no clear victor of the battle. Cornwallis left South Carolina to Greene and seeked an easier victory in Viginia. -
New York rumors
The patriot forces began to spread rumors that they wil be invading New York City and also began military exercises. However Washington, Greene, Morgan, Rochmbeau,and the French Naval made for Yorktown, Virginia. Benadict Arnald and Corwallis also made for Yorktown. -
Yorktown
The patriots invaded Yorktown during a 6 day siege in which the armies surrouned from one side and the French Navy on the other. By being outnumbered and surounded, Cornwallis surrenderd to the Patriots. This was the final battle of the American Revolution. -
Treaty of Paris
Britian formally recgonized American Independence. The British also gave up all claims south of the Great Lakes and east of the Mississippi. There was no recognition for the Native Americans. -
Shay's Rebellion
This was a revolt against taxes. This was similar to the stamp act revolt. The American government is facing the smae challenges the British faced. -
The Philadelphia Convention.
55 Delegates from every state execpt Rhode Island gathered in Philadelphia. The goal of the Convention was to increase national athority. -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
This document created the Northwest Territory which contains the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Schools were provided for the territory and there is no slavery. Congress will also povide a governor. -
Creation of the Consitution
The United States created a new constitution that gave more power to the ferderal government. The Govenment was able to control commerce and control taxes on the people. Slaves were counted a 3/5 of a person in the consitution. -
US Constitution Ratified
The United States Constitution is ratified by the states and the country is now run by the federal government. This document is what we still use today in out country.
