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British Evacuation of Boston
Following the Battle of Lexington and Concord, the patriots had the British blocked off in Boston.In support of Washington's troops, Henry Knox, Chief of Artillery, brought the artillery captured at Fort Ticonderoga to fortify their position around Boston. He arrived in late January, 1776, after dragging 50 cannons by sled over 300 miles across snow covered mountains. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The British were sent to Concord to capture John Hancock and Samuel Adams. But Pual Revere rode through town warning everyone about the attack. The Minutemen were ready, but as the American were retreating someone fired a shot. The British opened fire, many Minutemen were killed. By now Hancock and Adams had escaped. This battle is called "The Shot heard 'round the World" because it started the Revolutionary war. -
Period: to
American Revolution
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Battle of Bunker Hill
Fought on June 17, 1775 only days after George Washington was elected Commander in Cheif of the Continental army. The Patriots sent 1600 men to set up fortifications on Breed's Hill. Gen. Howe led 2600 British soldiers up Breed's Hills, the Americans retreated and the British gained control of Breed's hill. -
Olive Branch petition
Even tho the war had already begun the Americans had not yet declared their independence. Congress drafted the Olive Branch petition, it outlined their issues and asked Britain respond to them. King George III refused and decided that his military force would be enough to beat the rebels. -
Battle of Long Island
Commander in Cheif Washington anticipated the arival of the British and positioned his 20,00 troops on the western side of Long Island. When the 45,000 British troops arrived the attacked forcing Washington to cross theEast River into Manhattan. He left 3,00 men to defend Fort Washing ton and headed North. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson, with the assistance of John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. The document defined the rights of the people of the independent states. On July 2, 1776, the members of the Second Continental Congress voted in favor of independence. -
Battle of Saratoga
General Burgoyne attacked for the third time at the Battle of Saratoga. This time Burgoyne and his forces were defeated. General Burgoyne was forced to surrender. It was the turning point of the war. The Americans forced British troops to surrender. -
Winter at Valley Forge
On the winter of 1777-1778 Washington and his army struggled to survive the cold weather and snow. They spent much of their time making drills to improve their fighting, A military officer from Prussia helped train the troops. When they left the camp, they had emerged a stronger more disciplined army. -
Battle of Yorktown
By the summer of 1781, the American troops managed to force Corwallis and his army to Yorktown, Virginia. The French naval fleet was on its way to Chesapeake Bay to support the American soldiers surrounding Yorktown. Corwallis surrendered. -
The Treaty of Paris
When the British heard of Yorktown, they were worried about loosing the war. They replaced the prime minister with Lord Shelborne. Shelborne sent Richard Oswald to Paris to negociate with American representatives Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay. The Treaty of Paris was singed on September 2, 1783, and ratified on the 3rd. The British agreed to wige America its independence and remove all British troops from America.
