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Supplies from France
To spite Britain after the French and Indian War, France supplied the Patriots with weapons and supplies. -
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British Retreat from Boston
In the month of March, the British troops moved from New England to the Middle states. -
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British Expeditionary Force
General William Howe and Admiral Richard Howe brought their troops together forming the largest British expeditionary force which included German mercenaries. -
American Retreat from New York
After facing British troops in New York, the Patriots leave the state defeated. -
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British Push The Continental Army
In the fall after the American loss in New York, British troops pushed Washington's army into Pennsylvania. -
Battle of Trenton
2,400 men led by Washington crossed the Delaware River into Trenton, New Jersey to launch a successful surprise attack on the drunk Hessians. -
End of Soldiers' Enlistment
Many of Washington's men's enlistments were meant to end on this date. -
Battle of Princeton
Another American victory against 1,200 British soldiers. -
Battle of Philadelphia
General Howe made plans to seize Philadelphia, the current American capital. After attempting to block the British troops, Washington failed and the British took over Philadelphia. -
Battle of Saratoga
After being surrounded by American troops, led by General Horatio Gates, British General John Burgoyne surrendered at Saratoga giving the Patriots one of the most important victories of the war. -
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Valley Forge
Valley Forge was the Continental Army's winter camp where the Patriots dealt with extreme weather conditions and a lack of supplies. -
French Alliance with the Americans
After the American victory at Saratoga, the French signed an alliance with the the Americans and agreed to help them throughout the remainder of the war. This became the turning point of the war. -
Friedrich von Steuben
Friedrich von Steuben reformed the Continental Army at Valley Forge by teaching them certain military skills. -
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British Move South
After the loss at Saratoga, the British moved their troops to the southern colonies where they hoped to get support from the Loyalists. -
Battle of Savannah
A British expedition takes over Savannah, Georgia. -
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Marquis de Lafayette in France
Marquis de Lafayette, a French aristocrat, joined the Continental Army and went to France for reinforcements. -
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Royal Governor in Georgia
After taking mover Savannah,, the British continued to conquer Georgia and by spring a royal governor commanded all of Georgia. -
British Capture Charles Town
General Henry Clinton and General Charles Cornwallis captured Charles Town, South Carolina in their best victory of the war. -
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Cornwallis Succeeds in the South
For most of the summer, General Cornwallis continued to advance in the Southern colonies. -
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French Troops Arrive
6,000 French soldiers arrived in Newport, Rhode Island after the British went south and were later ordered by Lafayette to attack the British at Yorktown along with the American soldiers. -
Battle of Camden
Cornwallis' troops conquer Camden, South Carolina and set up forts all throughout the state. -
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Appointment of Robert Morris as Superintendent of FInance
The Continental Congress appointed Robert Morris as the superintendent of finance. -
Battle of Cowpens
Nathanael Greene, an American general, and General Daniel Morgan led two troops to South Carolina to harass the British as they retreated from North Carolina. Even though they were outnumbered the Patriots stood their ground and forced the British to surrender. -
Battle of Guilford Court House
After the loss at Cowpens, Cornwallis attacks Greene and his troops at Guilford Court House, North Carolina. It was a victory for the British but cost Cornwallis a quarter of his troops. -
Greene Asks for Reinforcements
General Greene, worried about losing the fight in the Southern colonies asks Lafayette for help. -
The Continental Army Gets Paid
Thanks to Richard Morris and his associate, Haym Salomon, the troops were finally paid with gold coins. -
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Battle of Yorktown
Surrounded by French and American troops on all sides of the Yorktown peninsula, Cornwallis decides to surrender the war. -
British Surrender at Yorktown
The British officially surrender to the Americans at Yorktown, Virginia ending the war. -
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Treaty of Paris
The United States, Great Britain, France, and Spain began to form a treaty in Paris in 1782. Each nation had its own agenda and in 1783 the Treaty of Paris was officially created.
