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Battle of Lexington and Concord
The battles of Lexington and Concord was the beginning of the war. This battle was the first shot of the war. Known as the "shot heard around the world". -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress met in Philidalphia under the nose of the British. They discussed how to deal with the British occupation of Boston. -
George Washington named Commander in Cheif
It is decided to name George Washington Commander in Cheif of the continental army at the Second Continental Congress. -
Declaration of Independence is adopted
The Declaration of Independence states the desire of the colonies to be free from Great Britian. The document includes a list of greivences and how the Americans are choosing to react to them. -
Battle of Long Island
The Americans are defeated at the Battle of Long Island. The American army is surrounded and Howe is expecting a surrender from Washington. Washington changes the game and evacuates his army and all supplies in the night. -
Battle of Trenton
Washington crosses The Deleware on Christmas eve to launch a surprise attack on the Hessians. European armies typically did not fight in the winter. This balltle was the first time the Americans took on the offensive. -
Battle of Saratoga
Saratoga is considered the "turning point" of the war.This battle convinced the French that the American Army could stand on its own two feet. -
French Alliance
The French and the United States sign the French Alliance which commits French aid to the Americas. -
British occupy Savanah
The British change their military tactics. The new goal is to start in the south and move north to end the rebellion of the American colonists. -
Spain declares war on Great Britian
Spain declares War on Great Britian creating a "world war". The fighting is spread across two continents, and forces Britain to fight a two front War. This stretching of British heps the colonists to win the war. -
British capture Charleston, SC
Cornwallis takes control of a major port in the Southern Colonies. The Chesapeak bay area. -
French Troops Arrive
The French arrive at Newport Rhode Island. The British fear the French are coming to invade. Washington leaves some troops in the north to run drills, to freak out the British. He sends the rest south to take on Cornwallis. -
Nathaniel Greene named Commander of Southern Army
Washington cannot be in all places at once, so Greene is named the Commander of the Southern Army to defend against the new British presance. -
Articles of Confederation are adopted
The Articles of Confederation allowed states to maintain sovereignty, and every state had a vote, no matter its size. Gave the central government the power to make war or peace. Served as their system of government until 1788. -
Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
Cornwallis is surrounded by American and French troops, as well as blocked in by the French Navy at Charleston. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris officially ended the Revolutionary War. It also stated that Great Britian recognized American Independence, and relinquished all land holdings south of the Great Lakes, and East of the Mississippi River. -
US Constitution is signed
The Constitution outlined American government and society. It stated how the government was to be structured, and included the Bill of Rights. The Constitution is considered a living document because it is still receiving amendments today, over 200 years later.
