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Battle of Lexington and Concord
These were the first official battles of the Revolutionary War. Patriots lost at Lexington, but won at Concord. Paul Revere rode from Boston to warn the people that the British were coming. Minutemen and militia were wating for the Britsh when they arrived. This battle is know as "The Shot Heard Around the World." -
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Timespan of Revolutionary War
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Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
Benedict Arnold teamed up with Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys to capture Fort Ticonderoga. The Patriots succeeded and obtained more supplies such as weapons and gunpowder. -
Second Continental Congress Meets
The Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and decided to continue with the war effort by establishing the continental army and appointing General George Washington as commander. By appointing Washington, the whole war changed. -
George Washington named commander-in-chief
General George Washington was appointed commander by the Second Continental Congress. This gave Americans an advantage in the war for independence. He issued his first orders on July 3rd. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Although the Battle of Bunker Hill was a British win, it proved that winning would not be easy for the British. Over 1200 minutemen were lead by William Prescott and together the wounded or killed over 1000 British soldiers. -
American Defeat at Quebec
Benedict Arnold and Richard Montgomery attacked Quebec and failed to get support from Canada. Patriots also failed to drive out the British forces. -
British Evacuate Boston
During the seige of Boston, American troops fortified Dorchester Heights with heavy artillery. General William Howe evacuated his troops to avoid another frontal assault which could lead to more British casualties. -
Declaration of Independence Issued
On July 2nd, the Second Continental Congress met and agreed to cut all ties with Britain.Thomas Jefferson got to work writing and on July 4th, a public announcement and publication of the document established the birth of our country. It was read to Washington's troops in and around New York to give them hope. -
Battle of Long Island
This battle was a British victory lead by William Howe. Patriots retreated and British took over New York and was then occupied until 1783. This was also the first of several consecutive Patriot defeats. -
British Occupy New York
After the Battle of Long Island, this was the worst period of war for Washington's army. They were starting to lose hope and many were thinking about deserting. -
Battle of Trenton
George Washington planned a surprise attack on Hessians. He and his men crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night and attacked. By winning this battle, it revived the struggle to secure independence. -
Battle of Brandywine
The Battle of Brandywine was the largest battle of the Revolutionary War. Washington's army was driven out of Philadelphia by General Howe and his men. Two weeks later Philadelphia occupied by British troops. -
British Occupy Philadelphi
After Washington and his army is driven out of Philadelphia, British troops seige Philadelphia in an attempt to break up the colonists yet again. Congress was forced out of its capitol and to relocate to York, Pennsylvania until Philadelphia was taken back by Patriots. -
Battle of Saratoga
After British failed to cut New England off from the rest of the colonies, Burgoyne surrenders making this a Patriot win. This battle alos influenced French to declare war on Great Britain. -
Winter at Valley Forge
The Continental army camped at Valley Forge through the winter of 1777-1778. George Washington and his troops suffered greatly through harsh weath, lack of food, and lack of clothing and other supplies. Many troops lost hope deserted or died. -
Alliance with France
In February of 1788, France signed a treaty of alliance with America. This gave Americans and changed the whole aspect of the war. Americans now had more troops and supplies needed to win the war. -
Battle of Monmouth Court House
This was the longest battle of the War for Independence. It reflected the reforms in training and discipline constituted during encampment at Valley Forge. General Charles Lee had planned to continue the battle after exhausted troops had rested, but the next morning he learned Henry Clinton and his redcoats was snuck away during the night. This was neither a patriot ot British victory; it is considered a draw. -
Fall of Savannah
The south was regarded as cruciak for subduing the war so British captured Savannah, Georgia easily and with little resistance. General Benjamin Lincoln and Admiral Valerie D'Estaing tried to take back Georgia, but failed. Americans started to lose hope again. -
Spain Enters the War
Although Spain refused to take America as an ally, Spain assisted the French by joining in naval and and land operations against the British. This meant more aid and help for the patriots. -
Siege of Charleston
Sir Henry Clinton made a plan to restore British control in the south and get loyalist support. The patriots were forced to surrender due to this having the largest number of casualties and loss of supplies. This also gave British complete control over the south. -
Benedict Arnold's Treason Discovered
Wanting large amounts of money and a high rank in the British army, Benedict Arnold committed treason against the United States. He was given command of West Point, an American fort, and gave it to British Major John Andre. The conspiracy was discovered and Andre was hung. Arnold then fled to the British. -
Articles of Confederation Adopted
The Articles of Confederation was the first Constitution of the United States when Congress stated we needed a stronger central government. Benjamin Franklin wrote and presented the first, but it wasn't formally agreed upon. In 1777 another version was submitted to the states to vote and was finally went into effect on March 1st, 1781 once all states had agreed. -
French and British Battle in Chesapeke Bay
This was a crucial naval battle between the French and British and a major defeat for the Brits. Admiral Francois Joseph Paul defeated Sir Thomas Graves. Because of that, Cornwallis was unable to recieve reinforcements so the French gained control over the sea lanes. This reinforced Americans by supplying artillery and troops. This helped change the outcome of the war. -
Siege of Yorktown
When a French naval fleet defeated a British naval force, Cornwallis was trapped under a siege. Washington and General Comte de Rochambeau tricked redcoats into thinking they were going to attack New York, catching Cornwallis off guard. He called for back up, but it did not come in time. -
Cornwallis Surrenders
Cornwallis, left without backup, was forced to surrender. The British gave up on fighting the Americans and this marked the end of the war. He was defeated by gunfire and raid, making the Patriots the winners of the war.
