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Lexington and Concord
These were the first military conflicts between Patriot and British forces; the "shot heard 'round the world" is thought to have been fired by Sam Adams. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Initially the Patriot forces have the upper hand due to strategic position and tactics, but their shortage of ammo results in a British victory. Nonetheless, the casualties inflicted on the Redcoats leave the Patriots psychologically victorious. -
Declaration Adopted
The Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence; it is sent to the printer, and copies are dispersed throughout the colonies. In this way, the 13 colonies banded together and announced their own sovreign autonomy. -
Battle of Long Island
Nearly wiped out by General Howe's army, Washington's troops manage to escape Long Island in the dead of night. Though their evasion preserved the Continental Army, it did not prevent the British from occupying NYC in Fall 1776. -
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Trenton and Princeton
Washington and his troops cross the Delaware on Christmas Eve, surprising the Hessians and leading to victories at Trenton and subsequently Princeton. This establishes a pattern for American warfare and asserts Washington as a formidable commander. -
Ticonderoga
Previously captured by Ethan Allen and the Green Mtn. Boys, Fort Ticonderoga was surrendered to British Gen. Burgoyne following a military standoff. The British would use the fort as a jumping-off point for the Saratoga Campaign to obtain the Hudson River Valley. -
British occupy Philadelphia
Patriots especially resented this intrusion, as it obstructed trade and symbolically demonstrated British power, as Philadelphia was the center of colonial government. -
Battle of Saratoga
General Burgoyne's Saratoga Campaign comes to a halt after the British forces are defeated at Saratoga, NY. -
Winter at Valley Forge
Washington's troops spend the winter at Valley Forge, being trained by Prussian general Baron von Steuben. -
Taxation Acts Repealed
Lord North repeals the offensive acts-- Tea Act, Coercive Acts, Prohibitory Acts-- but the colonists are not appeased. His actions are seen as too little, too late, and the colonies are already ensnared in a revolution. -
Treaty of Alliance
Motivated by the Patriot victory at Saratoga along with a desire for revenge against the British, the French crown agrees to an alliance. In the years to come, France will prove valuable to the Patriot cause, supplying naval power, soldiers, supplies, weapons, and ammunition. -
British Change Strategy
After Burgoyne retires from combat, Gen. Clinton assumes responsiblity for the new British offensive into the Southern colonies. This is intended to break the colonies economically by severing ties between North and South. About 30,000 escaped slaves join the British side, coerced by the promise of protection, freedom and land described in the Philipsburg Proclamation. -
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British Southern Campaign
Under the control of Generals Henry Clinton and later Charles Cornwallis, British forces rout the Southern colonies. The attacks begin with the occupation of Savannah and conclude with the capture of Charleston, the last major British victory. -
American Strategy Change
Washington names Nathaniel Green and Daniel Morgan responsible for the Southern Army's defense against the British, who have been fighting their way up the East Coast from Savannah to Virginia. The Battle of King's Mtn. marks a significant Patriot victory over Cornwallis' army in October. -
Battle of Cowpens
Patriot leader Daniel Morgan defeats Gen. Tarleton at Cowpens, SC. This decisive victory helped to turn the tide of the war on the southern front. -
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Americans Retake Territory
As British forces begin to withdraw, American colonists regain cities and territory previously under British occupation. Cities like Augusta GA, Savannah GA, Charleston SC, and later NYC all return to Patriot hands. -
Navy in the Chesapeake Bay
Foreign troops involve themselves in major conflict as the French navy strives to oust British ships from the Chesapeake Bay. The bay comes under French control, a factor that ultimately forces British surrender. -
Surrender at Yorktown
The combined forces of Washington and French General Rochambeau prove to be too much for the Redcoats. Hemmed in by the French fleet and besieged by the advancing Continental Army, British Gen. Cornwallis has no choice but to surrender at Yorktown, VA. -
Treaty of Paris
Two years after Cornwallis' surrender, the United States and Great Britain sign the peace treaty. The later Treaty of Versailles includes France and Spain as well, and gives America full rights to the Mississippi River and all lands to the east. -
Constitutional Convention
Delegates from every state except RI travel to Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. After months of debating over slavery, representation, and separation of powers, the delegates come to a consensus. When the convention ends in September, the Articles have been completely scrapped and replaced by a new document: the American Constitution. -
Constitution Ratified
By spring 1788, the requisite nine out of thirteen states ratified the Constitution. North Carolina and New York ratified by 1789, after alterations were made, and in 1790 Rhode Island became the final state to accept the Constitution. In the aftermath of the Revolution, the states had managed to unify against overwhelming odds.
