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Battle of Lexington and Concord
This was the first actual battle of Revolutionary War. It took place on April 19, 1775. Fighting started because of a single shot fired from the revolutionaries. No one really knows who made the shot. However, as soon as the shot went off, the British started firing back. Both sides claim they won. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
This was one of the very first battles of the revolution. It was not actually fought on Bunker Hill, it was fought on Bree's Hill. The British's map was incorrect. The British lost more troops, and the Americans lost the hill. Bunker HIll is also famous for the line, “don’t fire until you can see the white’s of their eyes”. This is what the american commander told his troops. -
Second Continental Congress Meets
Second Continental Congress Meets: Summer 1775 in Philadelphia, PA. Most of the same people from the first meeting were present at the second. It was the defacto government during the American Revolution. John Hancock was president. -
Battle Of Trenton/ Crossing the Delaware
The Continental army lead by George Washington crossed the icy Delaware River to attack the Hessians in Trenton. It was important because it was the 1st major victory the colonists had. They had been pushed around a bunch by the British so they decided to attack the Hessians in a snowstorm on Christmas Eve. -
Battle of Saratoga
This was the turning point of the American Revolutionary War. The British wanted to take New York so they could cut off the north and south colonies. There were actually 2 battles one in September on Freeman Farm and the other in October at Bemis Heights. It gave the French the reasons they needed to move in and help the Americans. -
Valley Forge
Where General Washington and the troops stayed during the winter. It was not a good winter for them because small pox spread through the camp, they were ill equipped and many soldiers died. -
The French Join the Allies
After the battle of Saratoga, the French had enough confidence that they could indeed help the Americans win the war. They sent Generals Von Steuben and Lafayette. -
Battle of Cowpens
Cowpens is in South Carolina This was the greatest defeat the British Army faced during the entire Revolutionary War. General Tarlatan was over British army and General Morgan was over the Continental. Morgan knew how Tarlaton would attack with brute force. He devised a plan to use this against him. It was very successful. -
Battle of Guilford Courthouse
Battle of Guilford Courthouse was in North Carolina. General Cornwallis attacked the small hamlet of Guilford Courthouse. After a 1 ½ hour battle General Greene was forced to retreat. 25% of the British Army was killed. -
Battle of Yorktown
Cornwallis was pushed into Yorktown and surrounded by Continental troops on all sides. After a few weeks of fighting, Cornwallis surrendered to Continental troops. This was the effective end of the Revolutionary War. -
End of the War
After the Battle of Yorktown, the war was effectively over. General Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington. But instead of meeting him face to face, he had one of the officers under his command bring his sword to General Washington. -
Treay of paris
Both the Americans and the British meet in Paris to sign the treaty. Once that was signed the Americans were officially free.