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On the night of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere was tasked by Dr. Joseph Warren to ride to Lexington, Massachusetts, to spread the news that British soldiers stationed in Boston were about to march in the countryside northwest of the town. He also shared news that they were to arrest the leaders of the Son’s of Liberty, but that was not true. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord was fought on April 19, 1775, but started the day before when General Thomas Gage got 700 British troops who were ordered to destroy the colonists' military supplies in Concord. On the way to Concord the troops met 77 minutemen and shots were fired, colonists were killed. Colonists were able to hide most of their ammunition but British troops still destroyed all they could find. The British met minutemen again leading to 270 British killed/wounded. -
This battle was the first major battle of the American Revolution, happening on June 17, 1775, near Boston, Massachusetts. On the night of the 16th colonial forces were sent to go to Bunker Hill. They went to the hill next to Bunker Hill, Breed's Hill instead. The next morning British ships began attacking the colonists on the hill. Later the British advanced up the hill to attack twice and retreated both times. The 3rd time the British advanced the Colonists were forced to give up the hill. -
The Declaration of Independence is the founding document of America. At the start of the Revolution colonists were not looking for independence but as the war went on more were looking for freedom from the British. On June 7 Richard H. Lee asked the Continental Congress to declare independence from Great Britain. They got a committee of 5 to write it. Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft and on July 2 the document was approved by Congress then 2 days later accepted by representatives. -
Thomas Paine’s writing of “The American Crisis” was a collection of writings published during the American Revolutionary war. One of the most famous is "Common Sense" which argued for independence from England. It proved to be a powerful piece, inspiring George Washington and his troops, who he read it to, helping them stay determined. -
The night of Christmas 1776, George Washington led the continental army to cross the Delaware River to surprise Hessian forces in New Jersey. They got to the river late into the night and winter weather slowed them down. This weather along with currents and the dark made passing difficult. Due to that pushing back their time they considered not doing it all, but decided against it. Leaving the Continental army arriving on the Jersey shore on December 26. -
On December 26, 1776, after Washington led his troops across the Delaware River they pulled a surprise attack on the Hessian mercenaries stationed at New Jersey. They succeed, this encouraged the next American victory where they also win at the Battle of Princeton. -
The battles of Saratoga were fought on September 19 October 7, 1777. The battle took place in New York 9 miles away from Saratoga when the British attacked the Americans. They were prepared as Benedict Arnold had predicted this attack and around 600 British soldiers were killed/wounded, twice the losses of the Americans. The 2nd attack Americans held against the British were able to attack back and regain any lost land. This win was a turning point it helped them gain French assistance. -
The battle of Philadelphia was an attack by 11,000 American troops to 9,000 British troops and Hessians stationed at Germantown who were under General sir William Howe. The plan was to hit William with 4 columns. The Americans ultimately lost this battle but was important because it showed George Washington's boldness in strategy which impressed the French. -
During the winter of 1777-1778, Washington camped with his troops near Valley Forge. It proved to be a rough winter, lacking proper clothes for the weather and were poorly sheltered. It’s said that Washington had around 11,000 troops when he arrived to Valley Forge and that winter 3,000 of them died. -
The Battle of Yorktown took place in Virginia on September 28 - October 19, 1781. Both sides of the army were tired at this point in the war Washington and his army made the decision to aim for south, in Yorktown, Virginia. Over the next 22 days American and French forces heavily attacked the British. This battle ended up being the decisive fight for the American Revolution with this being the fall of British war efforts. -
The American Revolution officially comes to an end when Representatives of Great Britain, United States, France, and Spain signed the Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783. After British General Charles Lord Cornwallis surrendered to American and French forces at the Battle of Yorktown England agreed to begin peace negotiations with America. This treaty helped officially end the war, recognize the borders of the United States, and withdraw troops from U.S. territory.