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Battle of Lexington and Concord
These were the first battles of the Revolutionary war. The first battle at Lexington consisted of the British regiment led by General Thomas Gage and John Pitcairn. The British troops numbered about 800, while the Americans not being officially led, numbered about 70 men in all. The British would win at Lexington but later at the the battle of Concord would be dissasterously defeated by guerrila fighters. -
Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
Benedict Arnold along with the Green Mountain Boys led by Ethan Allen, surprised the British garrison at Fort Ticonderoga while they were sleeping. This was an American victory and would play a big strategic gain in the war. -
Secnd Continental Congress meets.
Delegates from the 13 colonies met in Philidelphia to once again discuss the relationship and what they should do with Great Britiain. Many important people were there including John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. This congress would decide the choice America would make to either go to war with Britain, or try another resolve. -
George Washington named Commander in Chief
On this day George Washington was named the Commander of the newly established Continental Army. This was a huge part in the war as this would be the point in where the real war began. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The American forces led by Isreal Putnam and Preston were fortified on Breed's Hill next to Bunker Hill. The British advanced 3 times under the command of General William Howe, after 2 waves of being utterly destroyed, the Americans ranout of ammunition and had to retreat, this is considered a British victory, but came at a heavy cost, this battle was important becaus eit showed America wasn't going to beat easily. -
American defeat at Quebec.
The American forces led by Benedict Arnold and General Montgomery alongside the 1st Canadian regiment, attacked Quebec Canada in hopes to gain more ground in the war and gain the military support of the Canadians. They were very disorganized and strategicly beaten. This battle would play a big part in the war as it was the first major battle. This battle would be a British victory. -
British evacuate Boston
The Americans under the command of George Washington, used the artillery they had gotten at Fort Ticonderoga to contain the British in Boston, and force them to evacuate. This would play a major role in the war as this gave Americans control to the most important city in America and would give them and economic boost. -
British occupy New York city.
General Howe and his British forces succsesfully take over New York City and begin to burn the city. This would be a major loss for the Army as New York City was also a big economical rescource. -
Declaration of Independence issued.
On this day July 4th 1776, the Declaration of Independence was officially ratified by multiple signers. Important people that signed this document were John Adams, Patrick Henry, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson.This document would officially declare the American people independent from Great Britian. -
Battle of Long Island
The Americans under George Washington, fought their first major battle at Long Island. This battle would be split into three individual battles, but in all the American were horribly defeated and completely outnumbered by more than 30,000 redcoats. This was a British victory as the Britsih were lead bye William Howe. -
Battle of Trenton
George Washington with his army of 2,000 men and some artillery, crossed the Delaware, where they would surprise attack the Hessians at Trenton. The Hessians under the command of Colonel Raul were badly beaten and suffered the only casualties as the Americans suffered none. This battle would be a huge moral boost for the Continental Army, and they would later beat the British at Princeton. This was an American win. -
Battle of Brandywine
This was the first major battle between Washington and General Cornwallis. As the numbers being similar this would become a strategic battles. The Britsih had a huge strategic advantage over the Americans and flanked them unorganizing and defeating the Americans. -
Battle of Saratoga
The American forces led by Benedict Arnold and General Horatio Gates, engaged General John Burgoynne at Saratoga. There would be three battles at Saratoga all to be won by the American. This played a big part in the war since it was a huge victory and this battle gained Frances support. -
British occupy Philadelphia
Under the command of General Howe the British take over once again another important city crippiling the army's economy even more. This would play a big role in the war as it was the third major city the Americans would lose. -
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Winter at Valley Forge
Washington and his troops needed a place to stay for the long wnter ahead. He and his troops resided in Valley Forge. The long winter was hard and would be more difficult to the smallpock epidemic. This would really test the morals and strength of the army. -
Alliance with France
Following the victory at Saratoga the French agreed to support the Americans against Great Britain, and would supply them with troops and a navy. This was a huge turn since now they could face the British in numbers and had the most powerful navy in the world on their side. Thanks to Benjamin Franklin he was able to convince the French and after the Battle of Saratoga the Treaty of Alliance was signed stating the alliance between the two countries. -
Battle of Monmouth Court House
This was one of the hardest battles of the war. General Washington and Cornwallis went head to head in Monouth Court House. Wiht bothe sides with sufficient troops the battle lasted an entire day. Many soldiers were killed or knocked out by heat stroke as the tempereture was insanely hot. This battle would result in a strategical draw as neither side could gain the advantage over the other. -
Fall of Savannah
This battle was the first battle of the British's plan to regain the South. The American militimen with Continentals were badly defeated by Archibald Cambell and his troops. This was not a good thing as the Brtitish were now closer to regaining the South. This was a British Victory -
Spain enters the war
In June 1779 the Americans aquired another powerful ally. Spain agreed to supply the americans with money, weapons, gunpowder, and ammunition. -
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Siege of Charleston
Benjamin Lincoln, the commander in Charleston for the Americans, was under siege by Henry Clinton of the British. the British had the Americans outnumbered and strategically beat. But Lincoln refused to surrender. After two months of siege Lincoln finally surrendered. This played a huge part in the war because America had just lost one of its major ports. This was a British Victory. -
Arnolds treason discovered
On this day, Benedict Arnold was revealed of his traiterous schemes. Thinking MAerica stood no chance against Britian and not getting the military credit he deserved, Arnold sent the plans from West Point to a British spy, in exchange for 20,000 pounds and a rank in the British Army. The spy was caught and ratted out. But by that time Arnold had already flead to England. This was not good since America had just lost one of its best Generals. -
Articles of Confederation adopted
This document was the first attempt at a governemnet by the Americans but was not strong and would prove extremely weak, and would lead to the recreation of a new form of government. This would be the first written form of government but it wasn't very effective and cause small unharmful rebellion. -
French and British Naval battle in Chesapeake Bay.
The French with their large navy outnumbered the British. It was a decisive victory and would help the Americans eventually take Yorktown and end the war. This was a French victory. -
Siege of Yorktown
The Americans combined with the French at a combined force of 13,000 men led by George Washington, overtook Yorktown and defeated Cornwallis. This would would mark the end of the war but would not officially end it until September 3, 1783. American Victory -
Cornwallis Surrenders
On this day, Cornwallis surrendered to the Americans. This was a huge victory for the Americans, and unofficially ended the war. American Victory.
