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Lexington And Concord
In the morning of April 19, 1775 the British marched towards Lexington and Concord to take control of the Patriots weapons. However, the Patriots were prepared because of Paul Revere along with William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott. They rode towards the towns telling the colonists to prepare the militias. In Lexington the British beat the small militia. The confident British lost to the militia in Concord. The redcoats were shot at as they retreated to Boston. http://www.ushistory.org/us/11c.asp -
Battle of Bunker Hill
2,200 British troops with the leadership of William Howe and Robert Pigot marched to Breed's Hill near Bunker Hill where they fought the Patriots who were low on ammunition. William Prescott, leader of the Patriots famously said "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!" The British were sent into retreat, but by their third time attacking the British succeeded in sending the Patriots into a retreat.
Source: http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-bunker-hill -
Declaration of Independence
In June, 1776 a team of five men were given the job of telling Britain about the colonies' planned actions. Thomas Jefferson wrote the majority of the document, but Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams's thoughts were added. Jefferson stated that the colonists wanted independence from the British and listed many grievances about how the British have treated them. On July 4 the document was signed and our country was born.
http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/declaration-of-independence -
Battle of Long Island
A massive naval fleet arrived at New York on July 3, 1776 to try to calm down the colonists. Their size increased to 32,000 by August. On August 22, General Howe, moved his troops onto Long Island where they were able to overpower the Patriots's resistance in Brooklyn. After sneaking behind the enemy lines, the British opened fire at Bedford where they easily were overpowered. Washington had no choice but to retreat into Manahttan.
Source: http://www.historycentral.com/Revolt/NY.html -
Crossing the Delaware & Battle of Trenton
The British chased General Washington to the Delaware River and on Christmas Washington led his troops stealthily across the icy river. Low spirited and low on resources Washington needed a victory to convince his troops that the war could be won. Washington sent his troops to flank the Hessians at Trenton. They were not prepared and the Patriots easily captured the stunned Hessian force.
Source: http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-long-island -
Battle of Saratoga
General John Burgoyne and the British were overwhelmed by American forces on September 19, 1777 at Freeman's Farm. Redcoats had lost double that of the Americans. On October 7 the Redcoats decided to attempt to break free from being surrounded by Patriots but failed. Saratoga is called the turning point of the war because the massive French Navy decided to join the Americans' fight for independence
Source: http://www.saratoga.com/aboutsaratoga/battle-of-saratoga/ -
Battle of Yorktown
17,000 American and French troops fought only 9,000 British at Yorktown. 5,000 American troops blocked British General Cornwallis and his troops' escape from Yorktown. While the French naval fleet denied an escape on the water. After many days and nights of cannon bombings, General Cornwallis had to surrender. On October 17, 1781 the Revolutionary war ended.
Source: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-yorktown-begins -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was the final step in making America its own country. On September 3, 1783 leaders from America: John Adams, John Jay, and Benjamin Franklin met with Richard Oswald of Britain to sign the final treaty. The treaty officially ended the hostilities between the two nations, and gave the U.S a lot of land west of the Appalachian.
Sources: http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/treaty-of-paris
http://www.americanhistorycentral.com/entry.php?rec=478&view=quick-facts
