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What happened: Paul Revere, along with William Dawes and Samuel Prescott, rode through the Massachusetts countryside to warn colonial militias that British troops were marching toward Concord to seize arms and arrest leaders like Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Revere was eventually detained, but the warning reached local militias.
Who was involved: Paul Revere, William Dawes, British soldiers.
Significance: Alerted militias and helped prepare for the first battles. -
What happened: British troops encountered armed colonial militias first at Lexington, where the "shot heard 'round the world" was fired, and then at Concord, where heavy fighting broke out. The British suffered significant casualties during their retreat to Boston.
Who was involved: British troops, Massachusetts Minutemen.
Significance: Marked the official start of the Revolutionary War. -
What happened: Colonial forced fortified Breed's Hill (near Bunker Hill) overlooking Boston. British troops launched frontal frontal assaults, eventually driving the colonists back after three attacks but suffering heavy losses.
Who was involved: British General Howe, American Colonel Prescott.
Significance: Proved colonists could stand against British forces despite losing the hill. -
The Continental Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Indepence, written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, declaring the 13 colonies free and independent from Britain.
Who was involved: Thomas Jefferson, Continental Congress
Significance: Unified the colonies under a shared cause and gained international attention. -
Paine wrote a pamphlet to encourage soldiers and citizens when morale was low. Washington had it read aloud to his troops at Valley Forge and before battles to encourage Washington's troops.
Who was involved: Written by Thomas Paine, read to Washington and his troops.
Outcome: Inspired soldiers to keep fighting.
Significance: Strengthened morale during dark times. -
Washington's army attacked the Hessian garrison in Trenton, New Jersey on a early in the morning. The Hessian's were caught off guard after Christmas celebrations. The victory gave the Americans a badly needed boost.
Who was involved: Washington's army vs Hessian mercenaries.
Outcome: Over 900 Hessians captured with few American losses
Significance: Boosted morale and renewed enlistments -
The British army defeated Washington at Brandywine September 11, 1777, allowing them to capture Philadelphia. On October 4, 1777, Washington tried to retake the city at Germantown but failed. Congress had to flee, and the British occupied the capital.
Who was involved: Washington's army vs. British under General Howe
Outcome: Congress fled the capital; British held city
Significance: Showed Americans still had much to overcome. -
British General Burgoyne's plan to cut off New England failed. American forces under Gates and Arnold surrounded his army. After weeks of fighting, Burgoyne surrendered 6,000 troops.
Who was involved: General Gates, Benedict Arnold, General Burgoyne.
Outcome: Burgoyne surrendered over 6,000 soldiers
Significance: Convinced France to join America's side -
Washington's army camped through freezing temperatures with little food and clothing. Many soldiers became sick or died from disease. Baron von Steuben arrived to train the men, teaching discipline and new tactics.
Who was involved: George Washington's, Baron von Steuben, Continental army
Outcome: Army suffered but became better trained
Significance: Turning point in discipline and unity. -
What happened: Washington led troops across the icy Delaware River at night.
Who was involved: George Washington and the Continental Army.
Outcome: Surprise attack on Trenton succeeded.
Significance: Gave the army hope after many defeats. -
Washington and French allies trapped Cornwallis at Yorktown by land. The French navy blocked British ships from rescuing him. After weeks of bombardment, Cornwallis surrendered his entire army.
Who was involved: Washington, Rochambeau, Cornwallis.
Outcome: Cornwallis surrendered his British army.
Significance: Last major battle; led to American victory. -
American and British representatives met in Paris to negotiate peace. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay represented the United States. The treaty recognized independence and set new borders.
Who was involved: Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, John Jay, David Hartley
Outcome: Britain recognized American independence
Significance: Officially ended the war and created the U.S.