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France sends Weapons Secretly
Since early 1776, the French had been secretly sending weapons to the American Colonies because the French were still bitter about their defeat by the British. -
British Retreat
In March 1776, the British troops had previously retreated from Boston. This causes the focus of the war to shift to the Middle Colonies. -
Capture of New York Port
In the Summer of 1776, two brothers, General William Howe and Admiral Richard Howe joined forces on Staten Island and sailed into the New York Harbor with the largest British expeditionary force of troops ever assembled. -
End of Battle of New York
Although George Washington tried to stop the British from capturing the New York Port, he failed. The Battle of New York ended in late August of 1776. -
Michael Graham's Description of Battle of New York
The end of the Battle of New York and the Continental Army's retreat is described by Michael Graham. Michael Graham was a Continental Army volunteer and in his descriptions he describes what took place in the Battle of New York. -
British Push Washington
By Late fall of 1776, the British Army had already pushed Washington and the Continental Army across the Delaware River and into Pennsylvania. -
Battle of Trenton
In order to keep his troops from going home, Washington decides to risk everything in one movement on Christmas night. Washington and his troops moved across the Delaware River and into Trenton, NJ. Here a battle was fought and the Continental Army won. -
Continental Army volunteer's terms are Due.
The Continental Army was made out of men who signed up for a certain period of time. The terms of all the volunteers of the Continental Army were due on December 31, 1776. Washington desperately needed some kind of victory to keep the volunteers from going home. -
Battle of Princeton
8 days later after the Continental Army defeats the Britain troops at The Battle of Trenton, the Continental Army also defeats the redcoats at The Batttle of Princeton, New Jersey. -
General Howe's Campaign Begin.
By the Spring of 1777, the muddy fields had dried out and General Howe began his campaign to seize the American Capital at Philadelphia. -
Howe's Troops land near Philadelphia
Howe's Redcoats sailed from New York to the head of the Chesapeake Bay, and land near Philadelphia in late August. This causes the Continental Army to flee after unsuccessfully blocking the Redcoats at Brandywine Creek. -
The Battle of Saratoga
After a fail in the British Plan, the American troops are able to surround General Burgoyne at Saratoga. Here General Burgoyne surrendered his battered army to General Gates. This is a turning point in the Revolution because after France hears what the American troops were able to accomplish, France finally decides to join the war and help the American Colonies break free from Britain. -
Valley Forge
During the Winter of 1777-1778, Valley Forge outside Philadelphia served as the Camp Site for the Continental Army -
France and America Unite
The French recognize American Independence and signed a treaty of cooperation, which was an alliance with the Americans. According to the treaty, France would not make peace with Britain unless Britain recognized American Independece as well. -
American Troops' Transformation Begins
Friedrich von Steuben, who was a Prussian captain and a drillmaster, decides to volunteer his services to General Washington. Von Steuben taught the colonial soldiers how to fight in battle and with his help, the Continental Army starts to become more effective. -
British Military Change
In the summer of 1778, after the British were defeated at Saratoga, Britain decides to change their military strategy and shift their operations to the South and try to get loyal support. -
British Expedition
At the end of 1778, a British expedition takes over Savannah Georgia. -
Georgia has Royal Governor once Again
By the spring of 1779, a royal governor controls Georgia once again after the successful British Expedition took over Savannah, Georgia. -
Lafayette calls for French Reinforcements
Marquis de Lafayette was a 20-year-old French aristocrat who decides to join Washington and the Continental Army. In 1779 he lobbied France for French reinforcements. -
Clinton replaces Howe
In 1780, General Henry Clinton replaces General Howe in New York. -
Charles Town in South Carolina is Captured
General Henry Clinton and General Charles Cornwallis sail south with 8,500 men and capture Charles Town in South Carolina. -
Cornwallis smashes Americans at Camden, South Carolina
In August, Cornwallis' army smashed American troops at Camden South Carolina. -
British Forts established in South Carolina
After smashing American troops, Cornwallis is able to establish various British forts across the state. -
Forces meet at Cowpens, South Carolina
General Morgan and his troops lead the British on a chase in the country side. The two forces the meet at Cowpens, South Carolina and when the Continental Army fights back, the redcoats surrender. -
Cornwallis attacks Greene
Since Cornwallis was mad that he was defeated at Cowpens, he decides to attack Greene two months later at Guilford Court House, North Carolina. Cornwallis wins this battle but losses one fourth of his troops. -
Greene asks Lafayette for Help
Although Greene had weakened the British, he still worried abouth the fight in the south. So on April 3, 1781, Greene writes Lafayette a letter asking for help . -
Robert Morris becomes Superintendent of Finance
In 1781, the Continental Congress makes Robert Morris, a rich Philadelphia Merchant, the superintendent of Finance. -
Continental Army is Finally Paid
The financial movements Robert Morris and Haym Salomon make allow the troops to finally get paid in specie, or gold coins on September 8, 1781. -
Surrender at Yorktown Virginia
Colonel William Fontaine stood by the American and French troops to witness the formal surrender of the British Army at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. This marked an endind to the Revolutionary War. The American Colonies won the War. -
Peace Talks Begin
In Paris on 1782, Representatives of 4 Nations ( United States of America, France, Spain and Britain) meet to make negotiations with eachother. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay of New York go to Paris and are able to get Britain to agree to full Independece of the U.S. -
Treaty of Paris is Created
Delegates signed the Treaty of Paris, which confirmed the independence of the U.S. This treaty also showed that the U.S. stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River, and from Canada to the Florida border.
