-
First Continental Congress
First Continental CongressElected delegates created a congress in order to communicate to the colonies and the King and Parliament the grievances they had regarding the colonies. Much distrust had to be overcome between each individual colony in order for this congress to be successful. One matter this congress attended to was the creation of "The Association" in order to rebel against the unfair taxes the British were imposing. Many riots, petitions and rebellions occured after this first congress. -
Lexington and Concord
Battle of Lexington and ConcordBritain's General Gage had a plan to march into Lexington to capture Colonial leaders Sam Adams and John Hancock, and then march into Concord to seize gunpowder. Some American spies heard of this plan and two lanterns were lit to signify that the British were coming by sea and some men (Paul Revere, William Dawes, etc.) rode on horseback to warn the countryside. A battle took place after the very first shot of the actual revolutionary war was fired. -
Second Continental Congress
Second Continental CongressThis congress met after the battle at Lexington and Concord and decided to break away from Britain completely and put the colonies in a state of defense. This congress also first decided to print and use paper money. Most importantly, this congress wrote, signed and published the Declaration of Independence. George Washington was also appointed to be General for the new Continental Army they had created to fight against Britain. -
Army of the Continental Congress
Continental Army Documentary This army was created by the Continental Congress after the revolutionary war began after Lexington and Concord. It was created in order to coordinate the military efforts of all the 13 colonies against Britain. George Washington was the commander in chief of this army. -
General George Washington
General George WashingtonGeorge Washington was the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army when the Continental Congress first set it up. He lost many of his battles, but always persevered and never surrendered. He plotted the strategy of the war as well as trained the army and militia. He had a couple substantial victories and made large contributions to the overall Revolution (such as the Battle of Yorktown). -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Battle of Bunker HillThe colonial army learned of Britain's plans to occupy the hills surrounding the city and occupied Bunker Hill and Breed's Hill before they could. The British then launched multiple assults on the Americans, failing on the first 2 attempts. On the 3rd attempt, the colonists ran out of ammunition and the British were victorious. The colonial forces retreated to Cambridge although the British were the ones who suffered staggering casualties. -
Quebec Military Campaign
The Continental Army planned to gain military control of Quebec, which was a British province, to get the French-speaking Canadians to join the side of the 13 colonies. There was a battle in order to take control of Quebec and this resulted in many casualties and the colonists were defeated. -
The Olive Branch Petition
Olive Branch PetitionThe Olive Branch Petition was an attempt to assert the rights of the colonists while still being loyal to the Crown. King George III, however, refused to even read the petition and said the colonists had "proceeded to open an avowed rebellion." This is exactly what happened and the colonists would fight against the Crown. -
Common Sense Pamphlet
The Common SenseThe Common Sense Pamphlet was written by Thomas Paine. It placed blame for the colonies suffering on King George III and also advocated an immediate declaration of independence. This writing strengthened the peoples resolve to rise up against the Crown and sparked the Revolution. -
Declaration of Independence
Declaration of IndependenceRichard Henry Lee wrote a letter to Congress urging them to declare independence. Thomas Jefferson was appointed by the Second Continental Congress to draft a declaration of independence that stated that the 13 American colonies were independent states and no longer part of Great Britain. The Congress read the document and agreed on it and it was soon published. -
General Charles Cornwallis
General Cornwallis was the British general and was therefore fighting against the colonists. He fought against both the Americans and the French on many occasions. He was present for many significant battles, but the one he is most well known for is the Battle of Yorktown. This was the battle in which the British surrendered and the colonists gained control of the colonies. This was the point in which the war was over (in 1777) and America gained its freedom. -
Saratoga
Battle of Saratoga The American army was between the British army of General John Burgoyne and Albany. The Americans surrounded the British and caused them to have no choice but to surrender. This victory gave the colonists their second wind. The victory also gave the French more faith in the colonists and this was the point in which the French were going to be committed to fighting with them against Britain. -
Valley Forge
Valley ForgeValley Forge was the site of the military camp of the American Continental Army during the winter of 1777. Many people died that winter due to the harsh conditions and disease. Some other countries eventually gave extra help to General George Washington and his men. -
France
Treaty of AllianceAfter the Declaration of Independence was signed, a party went to France to get them to join their side of the war, and since they were rivals of Britain after the French-Indian War, they complied and signed an alliance treaty. France supplied arms, ammunition, uniforms and other supplies for the remainder of the war and French troops and naval forces were sent to the colonies. The French played a big part in securing the victory in Yorktown and America's freedom and independence. -
Battle of Yorktown
Battle of YorktownThe Battle of Yorktown was the final battle of the American Revolution. General Cornwallis had moved his troops from the Carolinas to Yorktown for relative safety. When the colonial troops arrived to take Yorktown, the French had arrived by sea and were keeping them back there, and General George Washington was holding up the fort inland. These forces were too much and General Cornwallis was forced to surrender, thus ending the Revolution. The Treaty of Paris would be signed soon after. -
Treaty of Paris
Treaty of ParisThe Revolutionary war was ended in 1781 at the Battle of Yorktown, although a couple of small battles took place from then until the treaty was signed. The document was issued by King George III and was signed in Paris. It was a series of 10 articles that: gave formal recognition to the United States, established U.S. boundaries, restored rights and property of Loyalists, etc. This treaty solidified the colonies freedom and they became the United States of America.
