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Paul Revere was sent out on horseback to alert Patriot collaborators of the British aproach.
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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.
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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.
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Resulted in appointment of Washington as leader of Continental Army, most Patriot leaders still hoped for reconciliation with Britain.
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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.
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Washington assumes command of the Continental Army
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Established martial law in Virginia and promised freedom to any slave that joined the Loyalist cause.
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Written by cough cough failure John Dickinson as a last hope of making peace with Britain.
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Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense, and urges colonists to ally with the Patriot cause.
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Written by John Adams, adapted English theory of mixed government to America, was in respone to Pennsylvanias constitution.
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Official declaration of independence from Britain, kind of a big deal. Written by T. Paine.
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General Howe realizes the strategic importance of Long Island, so he surrounds Washingtons army to cut it off. washington narrowly escapes, British win.
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First state constitution after Declaration, created ulicameral legislature. Alarmed many Patriots as being "too democratic".
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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.
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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.
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Turning point in war, Horatio Gates forces surrounded Burgoyne's forces near Saratoga since Howe's forces were in Philidelphia.
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An attack on N.Y. by Germain that was supposed to be "3-pronged" but Howe was taking Philidelphia instead.
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Loose guideline for states that was appoved by Continental Congress in November 1777. Had important powers on paper, but had major weaknesses.
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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.
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Made a formal alliance with France and Amweica. Established that neither partner would back out until war was over.
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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.
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British defeat a weak American force in Savannah, Georgia in their first offense of the southern strategy.
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Declared that any slave that left a Patriot master would recieve freedom, protection, and land.
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Due to Henry Clinton's defeat in South Carolina.
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Washington appoints Nathaniel Greene to retake the Carolinas.
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Cornwallis defeats Gates near Camden, South Carolina. A major victory in southern strategy for Britain.
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A desicive victory for patriot Daniel Morgan, and turning point of recapture of Carolinas.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Declaration of peace with Britain and France.
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Established that territories could become states as long as their population grew, Written by T.J.
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Established rectangular grid system of territories and set land price to 1$ an acre.
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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.
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Created territories of modern day Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
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A series of essays published by James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton promoting thr new constitution.
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Delegates met to revise Articles of Confederation.
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The states ratify the constitution that is still in use today.
