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Still bitter from thier defeat by the British in the French and Indian War, the French had secretly sent weapons to the Patriots.
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The British previously retreated from Boston and moved the theater of war to the Middle states.
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Two brothers, General William Howe and Admiral Richard Howe, joined forces on Staten Island and sailed into New York Harbor with the largest British expeditionary force ever assembled.
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The battle of New York ended with an American retreat following heavy losses. Micheal Grahman (Continental Army volunteer) described chaotic withdrawal.
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British pushed Washington's army across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania.
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Washington resolved to risk everything on one bold stroke set for Christmas night.
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Fewer than 8,000 men remained under Wahington's command, and the terms of their enlistment was due to end.
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General Howe began his campaign to seize the American capital at Philadelphia.
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Massed American troops finally surrounded Burgoyne, where he surrendered his battlered army to General Gates
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Albigense Waldo worked as a surgeon outside Philadelphia, which served as the site of the Continental Army's camp in the winter.
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In the midst of the frozen winter at Valley Forge, American troops began an amazing transformation.
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The french recognized American independence and sgined an alliance with the Americans
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After the devastating defeat at saratoga, the British changed thier military strategy and began to shfit their operations to the south
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A British expedition easily took Savannah, Georgia
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A royal governor once again commanded Georgia.
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The young Lafayette joined Washington's staff, lobbied for French reinforcements in france and led a comand in Virgina at the end of the war.
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General Henry Clinton sailed south with 8,500 men
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British captured Charles Town, South Carolina and marched 5,500 American Soldiers off as prisoners of war.
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Cornwallis's army smashed American forces at Camden, South Carolina and within three months the British had established forts across the states.
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Cornwallis succeeded
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A French army of 6,00 had landed in Newport, Rhode Island after the British left the city to focus on the south.
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When the forces met at cowpens, South Carolina, the british expected the outnumbered Americans to flee; but the Continental Army fought back and forced redcoats to surrender
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Angered by defeat, Cornwellis attacked Greene at Guilford Court House, North Carolina
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Greene wrote a letter to Lafayette, asking for help
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The Congress appointed a rich Philadelphia merchant named Robert Morris as superintendent of finance
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Due to the efforts of Morris and Salomon, the troops were finally paid in specie or gold coins.
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With his troops outnumbered by more than two to one and exhusted from constant sheeling, Cornwellis finally raised thw hite flag of surrender.
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Colonial William Fontaine of the Virgina militia stood with the American and French armies lining a road to witness the formal British surrender
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A triumphant Washington, the French Generals and thier troops assembled to accpet the British Surrendor.
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The delegates signed Treaty of Paris, which confirmed U.S. independence and set the boundaries of the new nation.