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Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress comes together as the first official government of America. This is where they decide the create the Continental Army. -
British retreat from Boston
British troops retreat from Boston. The colonists, led by George Washington, pointed cannons down at the city from Dorchester Heights. The colonists threatened to bomb the city so the British retreated. -
Common Sense
Thomas Paine releases Common Sense to the public. This pamphlet was a best seller and sold around 100,000 copies. This pamphlet made many colonists want to fight for freedom and actually helped everyone agree to the Declaration of Independence. -
Declaration of Independence
Congress declares independence from Great Britain. The Declaration was written by Thomas Jefferson and talks about many topics. It even has it's own section about what King George had done wrong to the colonists. -
Battle of Long Island
The continental army lose the battle against Britain on Long Island. The British stormed New York, smashing through the colonial defenses easily. This led to George Washington and the remaining members of the continental army having to retreat from New York. -
The American Crisis
The American Crisis, another writing by Thomas Paine, is published. These writings by Thomas Paine were about the loyalty of the colonists. It was published over a period of time during the war as it was many different pieces of writing. -
Battle of Trenton
George Washington leads his troops across the Delaware River to sneak attack the Hessians. It was the night of Christmas when George Washington saw the Hessians at a camp near his forces. He devised a cunning plan to move his troops across the Delaware and to attack while they were celebrating. The plan worked and the colonists won a major victory. -
Battle of Saratoga
The colonists have a pivotal victory over the British at the Battle of Saratoga. The battle of Saratoga was supposed to be between three different British forces coming from three different ways. General Howe, Burgoyne, and St. Leger were meant to meet at Saratoga and cut off New England from the other colonies. This didn't work because St. Leger was forced to retreat and Howe went to Philedelphia so only Burgoyne made it to Saratoga. These setbacks led the colonists to win the fight. -
Valley Forge
Vally Forge was a military camp where the colonists spent a winter during the Revolutionary War. 2,500 soldiers died during their time at Valley Forge from having not enough food, to disease.