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The French Help Out Patriots
In early 1776, The French secretly sent weapons to the Patriots due to their bitter defeat by the British in the French and Indian War. -
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British plans
By isolating New England to stop the rebellion and seizing New York, the British made a plan and retreated from Boston. -
Summer of 1776, Sailing to NY
William and Richard Howe sailed into NY harbor on Staten Island with 32,000 British soldiers and German mercenaries or Hessians -
End of New York Battle
The battle for New York ended with heavy losses of the American retreat. -
From the Delaware River to Pennsylvania
In the late autumn of 1776, George Washington's army was pushed across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania by the British. -
One Cold Christmas
George Washington had lead 2,400 men in small rowboats across the icy Delaware River during a stormy night. -
Sneak Attack after Chistmas
At 8am, through the sleet and snow, the men marched nine miles to Trenton, NJ. The Americans killed 30 British soldiers, took 918 captives, and six Hessian canons in a sneak attack. -
End of Enlistment
George Washington had 8,000 men under his command in which their enlistment were due to end. -
Finally Some Victory
The Americans were victorious against 1,200 British stationed in Princeton. -
Campaign to Seize Capital
In the spring of 1777, the campaign to seize the American capital in Philadelphia was began by General William Howe. -
Alter of Strategy at Saratoga
John Burgoyne surrendered his army to General Horatto Gates when American troops surrounded Burgoyne. From that point on, the British had changed their strategy. -
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Winter at Valley Forge
Valley Forge was a continental Army Camp during the winter, located outside of Philadelphia. -
Treaty of Cooperation
The French signed the treaty of cooperation and made alliances with the Americans. -
Fighting Force Becomes Effective Thanks to Steuben
The Continental Army became an effective fighting force when Friedrich von Steuben taught the soldiers to stand at attention, execute field maneuvers, fire and reload quickly, and wield bayonets. -
Changing Military Strategy
The British change their military strategy and decided to rally Loyalist support to reclaim former colonies in the south then fight their way back to the north slowly. -
Taking Savannah, Georgia
In the end of 1778, with the new British strategy, the British expedition lead them to easily take Savannah, Georgia. -
Taking Georgia Again
In the spring of 1779, the British royal governor commanded Georgia once again. -
Lafayette Joining Washington's Staff
In France 1779, Marquis de Lafayette joined George Washington's staff and spoke for French Reinforcements. -
Victory for British
The British captured Charlestown, South Carolina and marched 5,500 American Soldiers off as war prisoners in their greatest victory of the war. -
Clinton and Cornwallis Sail South
In 1780, General Henry Clinton and General Charles Cornwallis sailed south with 8,500 men. -
Cornwallis at Camden
Cornwallis's army defeated American forces at Camden, South Carolina, and within 3 months, forts were created across the state by the British. -
French Landing in Rhode Island
After the British left the city to pay more attention to the south, a French army of 6,000 landed in Newport, Rhode Island. -
British Surrender at cowpens
The British expected the Americans to flee but the colonial army fought back and the British surrendered when forces met at Cowpens, South Carolina. -
Cornwallis Attacks Greene
Cornwallis attacked Nathaniel Greene at the Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina. -
The Letter for Help
Nathaniel Greene wrote a letter to Lafayette asking for help when he weakened the British. -
Superintendent of Finance
In 1781, congress appointed Robert Morris, a rich Philadelphia merchant as superintendent of finance. -
Finally Paid
American troops were finally paid in gold coins thanks to Robert Morris and Haym Salomon. -
Cornwallis Surrenders
Cornwallis finally surrendered after his troops were outnumbered. -
Americans and French in Yorktown
To witness the formal British surrender, Colonel Fontaine of Virginia militia stood with American and French armies on the road in Yorktown, Virginia. -
Accepting Surrender
The French troops and generals accepted Britain's surrender. -
Treaty of Paris
The delegates of the negotiators chosen by the Continental Congress signed the Treaty of Paris to confirm American Independence and set boundaries as a new nation.
