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Battle of Lexington and Concord
-The commencement of the fighting between colonists and British Redcoats.
-Massachusetts Bay
- "Shot heard around the world"
-Colonial victory -
Second Continental Congress
-Management and disscussion of war effort
-Met in the Pennslyvania State House
- 12 representatives from 12 colonies
-No authority to do so, yet assumed many of the functions of a national government
-Articles of Confederation were signed and Continental Congress henceforth be known as the Congress of Confederation. -
Commander in Chief: George Washington
On this day George Washington was appointed Commander in Chief of the continental army. Washington was about 42 years old at the time and was appointed by the Continetnal Congress. His position helped slingshot the country's faith in him, and eventually supported his progress into becoming the first president of the United States. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
-British victory
-Considered a "pyrrhic victory" (when the losses are greater than what you have gained from winning)
-Fought adjacent to Bunker Hill, but mostly fought on and around Breed's Hill -
Common Sense Published
The pamphlet, Common Sense, was written by Thomas Paine was designed to inspire the residents of the Thirteen Colonies. The pamphlet was a call to independence against Great Britian. It became an instant hit with the people and was well known amoung civilians and patriot troops. -
Declaration of Independence
-Adopted by the Continental Congress
-Declared the Thirteen Colonies no longer a part of the British Empire
-Written by Thomas Jefferson
-Signed by 56 delegates
-Described, in detail, how the colonies have been wronged by the crown -
Battle of Long Island
-British victory
-Also known as The Battle of Brooklyn
-Fought in Long Island, New York
-British control of New York City
-Howe vs Washington
-First major battle after the signing of the Declaration of Independence -
British Occupy New York City
Battle of Long Island allowed the British to gain control of New York City. New York City was a vital place to have control of. It's waterways and population made it desirable. -
Battle of Valcour Island
-Took place on Lake Champlain and Valcour Bay
-First major naval battle of American Revolutionary War
-American fleet under command of Benedict Arnold
-British fleet under command of General Guy Carleton
-British victory -
Battle of Trenton
-Christmas evening to the morning of December 26
-Washington's troops cross the Delaware River to Trenton, New Jersey
-Suprise attack on Hessian (german hired soldiers)
-American victory
-George Washington and Nathanael Greene vs. Johann Rall -
Battle of Princeton
-American Victory
-Traveled around General Cornwallis' army to Princeton, New Jersey and initiated a suprise attack on Colonel Charles Mawhood's regiments.
-General Hugh Mercer began battle until Commander in Chief George Washington sent General John Cadwalader to aide in fight. -
Lafayette Comes to Town
Marie-Joesph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de Lafayette, Marquis de Lafayette joined the patriots in The American Revolution. He was a military officer and close friend on George Washington. Notable battles include: The Battle of Brandywine, Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Barren Hill. He had a pretentious name and a creepy ponytail. -
Battle of Brandywine
-George Washington vs William Howe
-British Victory
-Fought off Continental Army and captured Philidelphia -
Battles of Saratoga
-First battle: Pyrrhic British victory
-Second battle: Decisive American victory
-British surrender October 17
Horatio Gates vs John Burgoyne
-Won americans the foreign assistance they needed for a revolution victory
Battle #1: Battle of Freeman's Farm (September 19)
Battle #2: Battle of Bermis Heights (October 7) -
Washington's army retires to winter at Valley Forge
-Continental Army camp during winter monthes
-Search for lodging led by General George Washington
-2,500 died of disease/hypothermia
-inadequate supplies -
Treaty of Alliance
The treaty agreed that neither France or the United States would make peace with England until the United States achieved independence. The treaty declared that both colonies would support one another if they came into battle with Great Britian. -
General Howe replaced by Henry Clinton
On March 7, Clinton arrived in Boston to become the new British Commander-in- Chief. He was in his late 50's at the time of the war. He was a member of Parliament. After the war he was assigned to be Governor of Gibtaltar, but didn't live to fufill the position. -
Battle of Stony Point
-Stony Point, New York
- Anthony Wayne leads a bayonets-only night attack
-American victory
-Captured Stony Point, despite the harsh terrain
-Led to "Mad Anothony's" most famous battle -
Period: to
Washington's 2nd Winter at Morristown
Washington's harshest winter of the 18th century -
Battle of Guliford Courthouse
-British phyrrhic victory
-Greensboro, North Carolina
-Nathanael Greene vs Charles Cornwallis
-British attempt to recruit loyalist halted when war broke out -
Siege of Yorktown
-Yorktown, Virginia
-September 28- October 19
-George Washington vs Charles Cornwallis
-American victory The Continental Army can around the fort from multiple sides, surrounding the British and making it nearly impossible for them to win. The French blocked off all waterways. Though they never fired on the British, they blocked any means of their way out by water and forced them to surrender. -
Lord North resigns as British prime minister
Not the brightest (or hottest) bulb in the box, Frederick North resigned (was forced) from office. He proposed the Conciliation Plan which promised to scrap all disagreeable acts if the colonies gave up the revolution. As you can imagine, the colonists weren't too pleased at all with this agreement and said "No Deal", -
Treaty of Paris
Both Britian and The United States sign a declaration that ended the American Revolutionary War. British stated they acknowledge The United States as an independent country from Great Britian. This treat included the Ten Articles that stated exactly what Britian would agree to. -
U.S Constitiution Signed
The United States Constitution states the supreme law of the country. It is broken into seven articles and includes the Bill of Rights. It was written by the Philidelphia Convention and was signed by 39 out of the 55 delegates. It was ratified on June 21, 1788.
