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Lexington and Concord
This was the first battle of the Revolutionary war. The battle of Lexington was a defeat for the Patriots, but Concord ended with the patriots routing the superior British forces. Thanks to Paul Revere, the munitions and important leaders were saved from Lexington before the British could take it. -
Period: to
1775-1789
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2nd Continental Congress
They met in Philadelphia, they created the continental army and named George Washington as the General. They also became the governing body of the country and tried to make peace using the olive branch petition. -
George Washington named Commader in Chief
the second Continental Congress named him the leader of the continental army. -
Bunker Hill
The Patriots were holed up in a dirt walled fort on the hill, and the British took it purely through brute force. The Patriots technically lost after they ran out of ammunition and had to retreat, but the British lost so many through a direct storming of the fort that it really didn't help them much. This proved to both sides that this war wasn't going to be won with a quick British victory. -
Battle of Quebec
Benedict Arnold tried to liberate Quebec to get French help and to stop a British northern front. -
Thomas Paine publishes "Common Sense"
Before the pamphlet, there were still many people who didn't want to seperate from Britain, but "Common Sense" shifted the viewpoint toward the Patriot cause and bolstered the war effort. -
The Virginia Declaration of Rights
It advocated inalienable rights, including overthrowing bad governments. Thomas Jefferson used it as a guide for the opening of the Declaration of Independance. -
The first Virginia constitution
It was the basis for the US constitution, and gave Thomas Jefferson a better idea on how to write the US constituion. -
Declaration debated
The second continental congress debates the declaration, then has it sent to the pritners on july 4, read publicly july 8, and started to be signed on august 2. -
The Battle of Long Island
The British attacked the Patriots at Long Island to solidify control over New York. General Howe defeats the Americans, but instead of pushing the attack, he waited back to avoid another Bunker Hill and for Washington's surrender. Instead of surrendering, General Washington escapes under a thick fog with all of his men and munitions. This was almost the end of the war 1 month after signing the declaration. -
Britain occupies New York
The British Occupy New York and create a police state. They institute harsh rules and punishments, and as a result many people leave. -
Battle of Trenton
George Washington crossed the Delaware to surprise the Hessian army while they were drunk and unprepared from christmas celebrating. Washington captured about 1,000 Hessians and was a big victory for the Patriots. This was a desperate gamble by Washington to try and make up the previous losses. -
New tactics- Winter night attack
Before this, amies usually rested during the winter and picked up fighting after, and it would have been in broad daylight. Instead, Washington attacks in the middle of the winter at dawn, throwing the Hessians off guard. -
Flag Resolution
Made the resolution that the flag should have thirteen stripes and thirteen stars on a blue background. -
Battle of Saratoga
General Burgoyne was leading the British forces to Albany, but took a path that was too long and allowed George Washington to send troop to bolster Horatio Gates's and Benedict Arnold's army. By the time Burgoyne reahced them, he was outnumbered. He tried to hold his ground against Gates, by building defenses and waiting it out, but his indian allies deserted, and in the end was defeated by Gates. This was a major point in the war because it convinced the French to formally help. -
Occupation of Philadelphia
It was an attempt by General Howe to capture the second continental congress to end the revolution there. The Congress evaded capture though. -
New Tacctics- capitals
Instead of surrendering when their capital of philadelphia was taken, like in conventional fighting, they kept fighting long after the philadelphia occupation -
Battle of Germantown
Washington saw that the British forces were split around Germantown, so he tried to make a last victory before winter like Trenton. He led a night attack, but it went south when the british fortified a mansion and managed to hold out. Washington had to retreat with heavy casualties. -
Valley Forge
George Washington and his army winter in valley forge, by the end, they've lost 4,000: 3,000 died, the rest deserted. With Von Steuben's help, the army that leaves in June is tougher and better trained. -
The French Alliance is signed
This formally promised military support to America from France in case of British aggression. While the French were already supplying ammunition and gunpowder, the alliance was now formal. -
Henry Clinton
Henry Clinton takes over the British army from General Howe. He starts a Southern campaign. He was fromerly the governor of New York, and so hands over command of the southern camaign soon after to General Cornwallis. -
Capture of Savvanah
The British quickly take Savannah with little resistance. This was important because it nearly cut off the colonies from outside help entirely as this was one of the last ports open to the colonists. -
Spain declares war on Great Britain
Spain sends part of their Armada in exchange for the US backing their florida land claim and the strait of gibraltar. The armada pushes the British fleet north until it's surrounded by the french fleet. -
Philipsburg proclamation
This waas issued by Clinton and stated that slaves who joined the British would be given freedom and land. He managed to get thousands of slaves to join the British. -
Charles Cornwallis
He was given control of the British southern campaign after Clinton returned to New York. -
Capture of Charleston
Henry Clinton took Charleston and captured 4,000 Patriots. This was a massive blow, as Charleston was the last major port in the South, and this effectively isolated them. The patriots also lost a large part of their army. -
Battle of Camden
Horatio Gates was sent to stop Cornwallis's southern campaign, but was defeated at Camden. This effectively wiped out any resistance to Cornwallis until Daniel Morgan was sent. -
Battle of Cowpens
General Daniel Morgan was sent to take care of Cornwallis after Gates failed, and he defeated Cornwallis. This gave the Patriots control of another waterway, which stopped British movement along them. -
Articles of Confederation adopted
This was the first constitution of America, and while it had broad power on paper, the congress was nearly useless in actuality. It couldn't enforce treaties, pass laws, or collect taxes. It served as a base for the next Constitution. -
Battle of Guilford Courthouse
Nathaniel Greene lures Cornwallis into a trap at Guilford courthouse, and he is forced to fight his way out, when he runs to Yorktown, Virginia to try and restart the war. -
Battle of Yorktown
George Washington uses the French soldiers as a bluff on attacking New York while he took the rest of his troop around to Yorktown. The French Armada arived and cut off any escape. Washington took the city and Cornwallis surrendered, ending the war. -
Lord North resigns
The prime minister Lord North resign after the loss of the American Colonies. -
Britain and America sign Treaty of Paris
Acknowledged america's sovreignty, set northern border, set up fishing areas for america, recognized debts on both sides, and perpetual access to the Mississippi for America, who got the land to the Mississippi river.
