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A Turning Point
Still angry from the British defeating them in the French and Indian war, the French has secretly sent weapons to the patriots since early 1776. But after the battle of Saratoga the French had more trust in the American army that they agreed to support the Revolution. -
March 1776
The British retreated from Boston to the middle states . Part of their plan is to stop the rebellion by isolating New England is by going to seize New York City. -
Summer of 1776
Two brothers, General William Howe and Admiral Richard Howe joined forces on Staten island and sailed into New York Harbor with the biggest expeditionary force made to take control New York. -
Attack on New York
Washington rallied his men to defend New York but was vastly outnumbered. Most of his troops were untrained with poor equipment. They retreated and went to Pennsylvania. -
Delaware River
Risking everything Washington led most of his men across the Delaware river to New Jersey. At 8 O'clock they marches 9 miles to Trenton . Most of the hessians there were drunk, so at night they attacked them and won. -
Losing Hope
After they retreated to Pennsylvania most of Washington's men were either killed or captured. With only at least one third of his men and almost done with their enlistment Washington needed a victory to keep them from going home. -
8 days later
After attacking Trenton the Americans attacked Princeton against the British and won. Encouraged by the victories Washington and his army settled in a winter camp near Morristown, in northern New Jersey. -
The fight for Philadelphia
As the muddy field dried out General Howe began to seize the American capital at Philadelphia. His troops sailed from New York to Chesapeake bay. -
Losing the capital
The army arrived in late august. The continental congress fled the capital as Washington's troops failed to block the redcoats at nearby Brandywine Creek. The British captured Philadelphia and stayed at the houses of the loyalists. -
The battle of saratoga
After the winter the continental congress chose General Horatio Gates to command the northern department of the army. He attacked and took over Philadelphia and surrounded general Burgoyne at Saratoga where he surrendered. This changed the British war strategy where they now surrounded the coast. -
Winter of 1777-1778
Valley forge which was the continental army's camp during the winter after losing the capital of Philadelphia to the British. The army barely had any clothes and makeshift huts. -
The French helping the Americans
The French recognized American Independence and signed an alliance with the Americans in February 1778. According to the terms French would not make peace with Britain unless they recognize American independence. -
Improving the Continental Army
After the frozen winter in Valley forge the American troops started to improve to soldiers. Friedrich Von Steuben Volunteered to help the Continental Army. The Prussian captain helped the soldiers in tactics and weapons, this made them an effective fighting force. -
The British move south
After the attack at Saratoga, the British changed their military strategy. By the summer of 1778 the British move their operations to the South. There the British hope to rally Loyalist support, reclaim their former colonies and slowly fight north. -
The attack on Georgia
At the end of 1778, A British expedition easily took over Savannah, Georgia. -
Lafayette and the french
Around the same time in February of 1778 Marquis de Lafayette offered to help the Continental Army. He also bore the misery of Valley Forge and lobbied for French reinforcements in France in 1779. -
Owning Georgia
By Spring of 1779, A royal governor commanded Georgia again. -
Cornwallis Moving south
In 1780, Cornwallis sailed south with 8,500 men . -
The British's Greatest Victory
In their victory Cornwallis captured Charles Town , South Carolina. In May 1780, and marched 5,500 American soldiers as prisoners of war. -
Cornwallis's winning the south
For most of 1780, Cornwallis succeeded. As the redcoats advanced they were joined by thousands of African Americans who escaped their Patriot Owners to join the British and win their freedom. -
Patriots defend the south
In august, Cornwallis's Army smashed American forces in Camden , SC and within three months the British had established forts across the state. However, when Cornwallis and his forces advance in North Carolina Patriot bands attacked them and cut British Communication lines. this caused them to retreat to South Carolina. -
British losses in 1781
Washington ordered Nathaniel Greene to march south and harass Cornwallis as he retreated. Greene set a trap by separating his group into two and leading the first group to make Cornwallis send part of his men to south Carolina. But when Cornwallis second part of the army came to Cowpens, SC, The patriots fought the British and they surrendered. -
Three months later
Angered by the defeat at Cowpens, Cornwallis attacked Greene three months later and won but lost almost 1/4 of his troops. -
Needing Help
Greene had weakened the British but was worried about the fight for the south. On April 3, 1781, Greene wrote a letter asking Lafayette for help. After the battle in the Carolinas Cornwallis chose to move the fight in Virginia, where he met reinforcements. First he tried to capture Lafayette's and Von Stueben's divisions but failed. After that he went to Yorktown. -
Financing the war
While congress was trying to finance the war they appointed a rich Philadelphia merchant named Robert Morris as superintendent of finance. With his associate Haym they both begged and borrowed money to support the continental army. -
Finance efforts
Due to the efforts of Morris and Salomon the troops were paid in gold coins on September 8, 1781. -
The battle of Yorktown
After Lafayette received news of where Cornwallis was he suggested that American and French forces join forces with two French fleets and attack British forces at Yorktown. following Lafayette's plan American and French forces closed in on Cornwallis. A French fleet blocked Chesapeake Bay so that Cornwallis can't get reinforcements from sea. On land the forces bombarded them day and night. Where Cornwallis surrendered. -
British Surrender at Yorktown
After three weeks in Yorktown , Cornwallis finally raised the white flag of surrender. -
Describing the British surrender
The American and French army witnessed the British surrender. The American Revolution had finally ended. -
Victory at Yorktown
Washington, his troops and French generals accept the British surrender. After General Charles O'Hara, Representing Cornwallis, Handed over his sword . the British laid down their arms. -
Treaty Of Paris
Peace talks began in Paris. Representatives of four nations- the United States, Great Britain, France and Spain- joined the negotiations. America wanted Independence, Britain didn't want to give America full independence. France supported American Independence and Spain wanted land between the Mississippi river and the Appalachian mountains. But before the talks could start American representatives demanded that Britain recognize American Independence before the talks could start. -
Conclusion of the Peace Talks
Once the Treaty was signed America got Full Independence and set the boundaries for the new nation. America and Britain made agreements but some they wouldn't honor.
