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French and Indian War
Also known as the Seven Years war. It is a war between the French and the British over gaining land. England wins, but the war cost a lot of money. So, the colonies get taxed and the British find this acceptable because colonies were protected during the war. -
Pontiac's War
Native Americans from the Great Lake region fought against the British. The Native Americans tried to fight them because they wanted to save the land that was once owned by the French. -
Lexington and Concord Battle
The British troops went to Concord to capture American supplies. On the way they are stopped by Patriot soldiers at Concord, who were warned. Captain John Currier, one of the soldiers at Concord, wrote that the enemy, "thence proceed to Concord Killing and Destroying our men and interest," (Lexington). The British advanced to Lexington while continuing to kill Patriot troops. -
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American Revolution
The colonist went through a series of complex events from fighting the British to working with the enemy. Many inventions came out of these events and ideas such as the bayonnet, invisible ink, and inocualtion. All of these situations and inventions helped lead the colonst to their freedom. -
Battle of Fort Ticonderoga
Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold attacked the fort of the British. They captured the British garrison and that was the first victory for the colonist. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
General Thomas Gage sent his men to attack the Patriots who were protecting Bunker Hill. The Patriots were warned of the British plan to capture the hills around Boston. The British men walked through the Charles river to Charlestown and sent even more men to attack the British. There were many casualties on the British side, but they did win this battle. -
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Treaty of Alliance
Just the same as the Native Americans the colonist wanted to ally with the French, " trouble your country, drive them out, make war on them," they want the British out. There was military support for both the French and the United States. One of the goals is to maintain “the liberty, sovereignty and independence absolute and unlimited…,” of the United States. The continental congress helped make the Treaty of Alliance with France. The French joined the revolution in 1778 during Valley Forge. -
The Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence along with other members of the continental congress, such as Benjamin Franklin and John Addams. The Declaration of Independence states, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness," (The Declaration). The colonist should have freedom due to the unjust of the British. -
Great Fire of New York
New York was under siege by the British. No one knows who started the fire. It destroyed most of New York and many of the colonist had to retreat into the wilderness. The British gained ground by capturing New York. -
Battle Saratoga
British General John Burgoyne sent his men to go attack one of the American forts to get their supplies after waiting for more assistance. The Americans heard their plan and decided to attack. The long rifle was invented at this time which helped American sharpshooters aim and attack the British easier. The Americans end up having British troops surrounded and Burgoyne surrendered. -
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Valley Forge to the Battle of Yorktown
From Valley Forge to the Battle of Yorktown troop guidelines got stricter. At Valley Forge they was no structured such as with training, “At 12 of the Clock at Night, Providence sent us a little Mutton, with which we immediately had some Broth made, and a fine Stomach for same," (Ebenezer). While at Valley Forge there were more schedules to follow, "Seldom allowed to eat until twelve o’clock, when the arms were stacked, knapsacks taken off, and water sent for by parties as before,” (Albigence). -
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Valley Forge
Washington leading the American troops gets caught by winter at Valley Forge, and help cannot be sent for them. The harsh winter causes the soldiers to be scarce on food and water, and many have no shoes and tattered clothing. As the winter goes on smallpox hits the soldiers and Washington tries inoculation which helps save many of his troops' lives. -
Bayonets and Invisible Ink
Bayonets were used after Valley Forge. They are spears placed on the end of rifles (02). In order to have plans not found out by the British the Patriot spies used invisible ink to bypass British troops who intercepted the mail (02). -
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Battle of Monmouth
The British were crossing through Jersey, so Washington decides to attack. He sends Major-General Charles Lee to lead the attack against the British. However, Lee ends up retreating against the British and is relieved of his position by Washington. Washington reformed the troops and after another failed victory he decided to meet the other American troops by the Hudson River. -
Battle of Cowpens
Daniel Morgan led an army of Continentals and militia to fight against the British troops led by General Cornwallis. -
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Battle of Yorktown
General Anthony Wayne led the American troops through the battle. The battle didn’t last long and the French gave arrived and gave aid on September 1st. They arrived by boat which gave colonist hope because they could finally gain ground in the revolution not just by land, but by water also. The French and Americans took possession of the British forts and the British surrendered.
