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Paul Revere's Ride
Paul Revere was sent out on horseback to alert Patriot collaborators of the British aproach. -
Lexington and Concord
First battles of revolutionary war. 700 British soldiers were sent under Francis Smith to capture weapon staches and revollutionary leaders. Colonial soldiers fell back after losing Lexington but beat back British in Concord. -
Seige of Fort Ticonderoga
Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys sieged Fort Ticonderoga in the middle of night and the commander of the fort surrendered. Americans took about 100 cannons from the fort. -
Second Continental Congress
Resulted in appointment of Washington as leader of Continental Army, most Patriot leaders still hoped for reconciliation with Britain. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
When Patriots heard of British plans to occupy Dorchester Heights, they fortify Bunker and Breed's Hill. Patriots lose, but gain confidence and sustain less losses. Boths sides realize this will not be a quick war. -
Washington takes command
Washington assumes command of the Continental Army -
Dunmores Proclamation
Established martial law in Virginia and promised freedom to any slave that joined the Loyalist cause. -
Olive Branch Petition
Written by cough cough failure John Dickinson as a last hope of making peace with Britain. -
Common Sense
Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense, and urges colonists to ally with the Patriot cause. -
Thoughts on Government
Written by John Adams, adapted English theory of mixed government to America, was in respone to Pennsylvanias constitution. -
Declaration of Indepedence
Official declaration of independence from Britain, kind of a big deal. Written by T. Paine. -
Battle of Long Island
General Howe realizes the strategic importance of Long Island, so he surrounds Washingtons army to cut it off. washington narrowly escapes, British win. -
Pennsylvania constitution of 1776
First state constitution after Declaration, created ulicameral legislature. Alarmed many Patriots as being "too democratic". -
Battle of Trenton
Washington's army crosses the Delaware in the dead of night on Christmas Eve to launch a suprise attack on German Hessian soldiers. Washington wins. -
Battle of Princeton
Outnumbered in trenton, Washington coordinates a trick play and sneaks off to Princeton and attacks 2 British regiments. General Mawhood flees to Trenton. Patriot victory, but a small one. -
Battle of Saratoga
Turning point in war, Horatio Gates forces surrounded Burgoyne's forces near Saratoga since Howe's forces were in Philidelphia. -
Attack of Albany
An attack on N.Y. by Germain that was supposed to be "3-pronged" but Howe was taking Philidelphia instead. -
Articles of Confederation
Loose guideline for states that was appoved by Continental Congress in November 1777. Had important powers on paper, but had major weaknesses. -
Valley Forge
After Washington's retreat from New York, his army spent the cold winter starving in Valley Forge. During this time, Baron von Steuben, a Prussian military officer, disciplined Washingtons ragtag army. -
Treaty of Alliance
Made a formal alliance with France and Amweica. Established that neither partner would back out until war was over. -
Tea and Prohibitory Acts repealed
In a final attempt tp regain the colonies, Lord North persuades parliament to repeal the Tea and Prohibitory acts. The colonies don't care, diplomacy is past gone. -
Capture of Savannah
British defeat a weak American force in Savannah, Georgia in their first offense of the southern strategy. -
Philipsburg Proclamation
Declared that any slave that left a Patriot master would recieve freedom, protection, and land. -
Charles Cornwallis takes command
Due to Henry Clinton's defeat in South Carolina. -
Nathaniel Greene takes command
Washington appoints Nathaniel Greene to retake the Carolinas. -
Battle of Camden
Cornwallis defeats Gates near Camden, South Carolina. A major victory in southern strategy for Britain. -
Battle of Cowpens
A desicive victory for patriot Daniel Morgan, and turning point of recapture of Carolinas. -
Battle of Guilford Courthouse
A force of 2,100 under Charles Cornwallis defeats 4,500 of Nathaniel Greene's men, but the British sustain heavy losses, and is ultimately an American victory. -
Battle of Yorktown
A final decisive victory for American forces. While Washington faked an attack of New York, he actually snuck Rochembeaus to Yorktown to meet the French navy. Cornwallis surrendered and this was the last battle of the war. -
Treaty of Paris
Britain officialy regognized independence of America. Britain gave up 3/4 of their territory, granted american fishing rights in Nova Scotia and trading rights in Missisipi, and in return was allowed to return confiscated Loyalist property, and pursue pre-war debts. -
Treaties of Versailles
Declaration of peace with Britain and France. -
Ordinance of 1784
Established that territories could become states as long as their population grew, Written by T.J. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
Established rectangular grid system of territories and set land price to 1$ an acre. -
Shays's Rebellion
Farmers in Massachucets that could not cope with taxes set by a wealthy legislature revolted violently. This was led by Daniel Shays, a Continental Army Veteran. -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Created territories of modern day Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. -
The Federalist Papers
A series of essays published by James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton promoting thr new constitution. -
Philadelphia Convention
Delegates met to revise Articles of Confederation. -
Ratification of the Constitution
The states ratify the constitution that is still in use today.
