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Battle of Lexington and Concord
Battle of Lexington and Concord was the first offical battle of the Revolutionary War. It was known as "the shot heard around the world". The winner at Lexington was the British and the winner at Concord was the American forces -
Period: to
American Revolution
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Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
Led by Benedict Arnold, Ethan Allen, and the Green Mountain Boys the American forces capture the fort and take much needed supplies. The fort is later captured by the British -
Second Continental Congress meets
Colonial delagates meet in Philidelphia, and congress votes to create a continental army from New England forces surrounding Boston with George Washington as commander. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The British forces try to attack a skilled New England force near the heights overlooking Charelston and the Boston Harbor. The American Army gain confidence, but the British forces suffer with more than 1,000 people hurt. This battle persuades the British leaders to avoid direct assults. -
George Washington named commander-in-chief
George Washington gives his first orders as commander-in-chief from his headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts. -
American defeat at Quebec
Led by Benedict Arnold and Richard Montgomery, the American forces try to get Canadian support and force the British from the Province but don't succeed. The British win this year long battle. -
British evacuate Boston
British ,led by General William Howe, decide to evacuate Boston instead of risking another assult. -
Declaration of Independence issued
Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence ratified the congress. -
Battle of Long Island
The British navy attacks the Continental Army on Long Island, leading to a series of defeats around New York and across New Jersey. The British stay in New York until November of 1783 -
British occupy New York City
American Army, under George Washington drove back the British to New York. -
Battle of Trenton
With Georged Washington as commander, the American forces assume a suprise attack on the Hessians. This battle leads to the "Ten Crucial Days" which revive the struggle to secure American Independence. -
Battle of Brandywine
The Battle of Brandywine was the largest land battle of the American war of independence. The British forces led by Sir William Howe and the American forces led by George Washington meet near Chadd's Ford Pennslyvania. British win and Washinton's army was driven out. The British forces occupy Pennslyvania two weeks later -
Battle of Saratoga
The British plan to cut off New England from the rest of the rebelling colonies fails, and the British General Burgoyne surrenders. Encouraging France's decision to declare war on Great Britian. -
British occupy Philidelphia
The Marquis de Lafayette arrives in America. Washington defeated at Brandywine and at Germantown, Philidelphia is lost to th British. -
Articles of confederation adopted
The Articles of Confederation weren't perfect but they did provide stability during the Revolutionary War years, valuable lessons in self-governances, and somewhat calmed fears about a powerful government. They were eventually replace with the Constitution in 1789 -
Winter at Valley Forge
American forces remained for 6 months in bad winter conditions, twenty miles northwest of the British in Philidelphia. The conditions in Valley Forge lacked decent food, shelter and clothing. After a while some men began to leave without permission. -
Alliance with France
The Continental Congress represenatives and the French government sign the Treaty of Alliance. This makes it easier for commerical exchange, provides France recognition of the U.S, and pledges mutual support in the fight against Great Britian. -
Battle of Monmouth Court House
British and American forces meet in New Jersey for the last large-scale military engagement before major operations shift to the south. The Continental Army's performance results in training and dicipline. -
Fall of Savannah
In November, Henery Clintion sent 3,500 tories against Savannah, but the Savannah was defended by about 1,000 milita from Georgia and South Carolina -
Spain enters the war
Spain refused to enter in a formal alliance with the U.S, but assist in the fight by joining France in naval and land operations against the British. -
Seige of Charelston
Led by Sir Henry Clintion, the British stratagize to tap loyalist man power and restore British political control in the region. The Americans surrender at Charelston which leads to a devastating partisan war across the south. -
Benedict Arnold's treason discovered
Benedict Arnold was resentful at promotions other officers were recevieng and he began exchanging secrect messages with the enemy offering betrayel in exchange for money and a higher rank in the British army. -
French and British battle in Chesapeake Bay
Known as Battle of Virginia Capes, the French and British battle in Chesapeake Bay was a crucial naval battle in the Revolutionary War.
It was between a British force led by Sir Thomas Graves and A French fleet led by Francios Joseph Paul, the French win. -
Seige of Yorktown
General Cornwalis stops in Yorktown, Virginia to rest his tired army and finds himself trapped under seige by French and American forces. -
Cornwalis Surrenders
General Cornwalis was trapped by French and American forces, and surrenders his army.
