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Lexington
The King's troops reached Lexington, Massachusetts and ordered the minutemen to surrender. The minutemen surrendered, shot at the King's troops, and the battle began. Eight minutemen were killed, ten were injured, and only one British soldier was injured. This was the first battle of the Revolutionary War. -
Concord
After the Battle of Lexington, the British troops marched to Concord, their original destination, and were fooled by the colonists empty arsenal. As they were heading back out to Boston, around three to four thousand minutemen assembled and fired at the troops. Many soldiers died but some survived and escaped back to their home base. The colonists then sieged Boston and its troops. -
Bunker Hill
British General Thomas Gage planned to strike on Breed's Hill, close to Bunker Hill with 2,500 men. The colonists held their fire then attacked. They lost 450 men while the British soldiers lost 1,000. This was the deadliest battle of the war. -
New York
In the summer, the British decided to seize New York City with 32,000 soldiers. The colonists tried to defend New York in August but retreated. -
Trenton
Commander George Washington led 2,400 men across the Delaware River to Trenton, New Jersey. They defeated German loyalists of the British. -
Philadelphia
After losing the Battle of Trenton, the British troops regrouped in September. They planned to take over the American capital, Philadelphia. -
Saratoga
British General John Burgoyne planned to lead an army to Albany, New York but colonial troops found him and fought. They surrounded Burgoyne and he surrendered. -
Valley Forge
The American troops went through a cold winter in Valley Forge but persevered regardless. They did not have food, clothes, shoes, or supplies. Friedrich von Steuben, a Prussian captain, helped to train and strengthen the Continental Army. -
Marquis De Lafayette
French military leader Marquis De Lafayette offered to help the Continental Army, alongside Steuben. He lobbied for French reinforcements and led the army in a battle in Virginia. -
Yorktown
British General Charles Cornwallis led an army of 7,500 men in Yorktown and were found by the Continental Army. In September of 1781, there were 17,000 men from the Continental Army, both French and American troops. Cornwallis surrendered the next month. -
Treaty of Paris
American representatives negotiated with France for a peace treaty in September and they accepted.This confirmed the American independence from the British.