Key Events People

  • The Battle Of Lexington and Concord

    The Battle of Lexington and Concord was the first battle that kicked off the American Revolution. The British marched to Boston to seize a stockpile of weapons, which caused fighting between troops. The Americans won. This battle showed Britain that America had a real army and that revolution had begun.
  • Second Continental Congress

    The Second Continental Congress was the governing bodies of the colonies during the American revolution. It was founded when British failed to address the grievances of the First Continental Congress and they decided the colonists decided they wanted to organize an Army to fight.
  • The Battle of Bunker Hill

    The Battle of Bunker Hill occurred in Massachusetts when the Americans learned that the British over hills around Boston to gain a tactical advantage in the war and gain Intel. The Americans moved their troops onto Bunker Hill and the battle began. The British defeated the Americans in this battle, but the colonial forces inflicted significant casualties upon the British, which boosted their confidence during war.
  • George Washington

    George Washington was the commander in chief of the Continental Army. He was also the leader of the Continental Congress. He had significant military experience, which allowed him to lead the Colonial forces to victory and become a hero.
  • The Olive Branch Petition

    The Olive Branch Petition was a document by the colonists that pledged their loyalty to the king and Britain. This was their final attempt at making peace without going to war. King George rejects this petition, and sees it and the Congress as rebellion. This made the colonists upset and sent them into a full blown war.
  • The French and English Enlightenment

    The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism. was one of the main influences for the colonies to become their own nation. Our leaders took influence from the enlightenment for the declaration of independence to make ideas like freedom of speech and press, equality, and religious freedom.
  • John Locke

    John Locke established the Natural Rights (life, liberty, and property) that influenced the declaration of Independence. John Locke's ideas also influenced the Enlightenment.
  • Thomas Jefferson

    Thomas Jefferson was the primary draftsman of the Declaration of Independence. He served in the Virginia Legislature and the Continental Congress, and was a leading figure in Americas early development.
  • The Treaty of Amity and Commerce

    The Treaty of Amity and Commerce recognized the United States as an independent nation and promoted trade and commerce between then and France. This was a big step towards the United States getting independence in the revolution.
  • The Declaration of Independence

    The Declaration of Independence was a document from all thirteen colonies declaring their independence from Great Britain. This document cut American ties from Britain and gave them freedom.
  • The Battle of Trenton

    The Battle of Trenton was a small, pivotal battle during the revolution that took place in Trenton, New Jersey. The Continental Army, commanded by George Washington, won the battle.
  • Battles of Saratoga

    The Battle of Saratoga is considered a major turning point for the American revolution. The British troops surrendered their arms in this battle, giving the colonists a victory. This victory convinced the French government to join the war as an American ally.
  • The Battle of Princeton

    The Battle of Princeton was a small battle fought in Princeton, New York. The Americans won this battle, causing the British to lose control of New Jersey and retreat to New York. This war gave the colonists a lot of hope that they were able to win the war.
  • Valley Forge

    During the Winter of 1777, the Continental Army stationed at Valley Forge. The conditions were cold and harsh, and they were very low on supplies. Soldiers were also dying of sickness and disease. The soldiers didn't leave this way though, the troops left Valley Forge with a rejuvenated spirit and confidence thanks to a former Prussian military officer, Friedrich Willhelm Baron von Steuben.
  • The Treaty Of Alliance

    The Treaty of Alliance was a defensive alliance between France and the United States, which promised mutual military support if fighting were to break out between French and British forces.
  • Spain joins the Revolutionary War

    Spain acted as a supply source for munitions and other supply's.Their motivation for joining to war was to regain land they had lost from Britain they had lost in the past. Spain was a important part of the Americans winning their independence.
  • The Battle of Cowpens

    The Battle of Cow pens took place in South Carolina, where the Americans were led by Brigadier General Daniel Morgan. The Americans won this battle, taking it a turning point for the war because the British were learning how strong they were.
  • The Battle of Yorktown

    In the Battle of Yorktown American troops trapped to British forces and forced them to surrender. This battle ended the revolutionary war by showing the British it was just too costly to continue.
  • The Treaty of Paris

    The Treaty of Paris was an agreement signed by the King and the American representatives which ended the Revolutionary war. It set boundaries between the British empire and the United states, recognizing them as independent.