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Battle of Lexington and Concord
The first official battle between the patriots and the british but tension was built up for many years. Patriots won at Concord and British won at Lexington. Francis Smith led a group of roughly 900 British soldiers to take away military supplies from the militia in Concord. It was known as "The shot heard around the world." Important people in these battles were Paul Revere, John Jancock, Samuel Adams,General Thomas Gage, and Captain John Parker. The battle began The American Revolution. -
Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
The continental army planned a sneak attack led by Ethan Allen, Benedict Arnold, and the Green mountain Boys and they captured much needed supplies and artillery. It was the first major colonial victory and it served as a staging ground for the continental groups. -
Second Continental Congress meets
Delegates meet up from twelve out of the thirteen colonies to . create a new Continental army from the New England troops surrounding Boston and assign George Washington as commandeer. They also hoped to take advanatge of the British Armys inactivity and launch an invasion on Canada. Lastly, they wanted to created a rebellion with Canada. Important people were Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, George Washington, and the total of 65 delegates in the second continental congress. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
A force of roughly 10,000 militiamen declared the city of Boston under an incomplete seige. Rebel forces outside of boston was a embarrassment of British pride so General Gage ordered an attack on the Americans on Breed's Hill. The British soon learned what they were up against and they had a wakeup call for almost loosing this battle. Some imprtant people were General Gage, Colonel William Prescott, and General William Howe. -
General Washington named commander-in-chief
George was a former redcoat and had joined the Continental Congress as a delegate from Virginia. Later, Washington was offered a role as commander in chief of the Continental Army . On this date George Washington officialy took the role of the commander for the not well-trained army and led them to victories. -
American defeat at Quebec
Patriot forces, under the control of Colonel Benedict Arnold and General Richmond Montgomerey set out to attack the city of Quebec, which was British occupied, in the snowfall. Montgomerys 300 men proceeded up the St. Lawerence River while General Benedict Arnold and 1,100 men marched 350 miles northward from Boston. Out of the 1,100 men 600 made it with hardly any supplies.This was the first major defeat of the Revolutionary war for the Americans. -
British evacuate Boston
On this day British forces are forced to evacuate Boston after General Washington's clever placement of fortifications on Dorchester Heights. The British knew they couldn't defeat the Americans so the British and some loyalists left Boston. Important people were George Washington, General John Thomas, and Sir William Howe. -
Declaration of Independance issued
The Declaration of Independance issues our independance and was adopted by the continental congress on this date in Philadelphia. Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams were appointed to draft the declaration of independance in mid june. -
Battle of Long Island
In this battle 20,000 British soldiers and Hessians were sent to Brooklyn while George Washington sent roughly 10,000 men that were in the command on Israel Putnam. George Washington took the rest of his troop to Manhattan and prepare for a expected attack. Back in Long Island over 300 of Putnam's men were killed and another 1,400 were captured or missing when the British losses were fewer than 400. This was a British victory. -
British occupy New York city
This was the effect of the Battle of Long Island. After the British attack the Continental army on Long Island it led to a series of defeats around New York and New Jersey which led British forces to occupy New York until November of 1783. -
Battle of Trenton
George Washington and his troops quietly crossed the deleware river on Christmas day and headed towards Trenton. Trenton had three groups of Hessian mercenaries stationed there for the winter. The attacked didn't happen until the morning on the 26th when they surprised the Hessians by killing approximately 100 Hessians and capturing roughly 900. It was a major American victory. -
Battle of Brandywine
The Battle of Brandywine was the largest land battle of the American war of independance. In this battle British and Americans were led by their commanders Sir William Howe and George Washington. George Washingotn used his Conetinental Army to set up a line of defenses at Chadds Ford on the Brandywine River. Howe on the other hand decided instead of making a direct attack he would divide his troop and send some to Washington and some to the flight rank of the Continental Army.A British Victory. -
British occupy Philadelphia
The British marched into Philadelphia unnoposed and took forts held by the Patriots. The British did this because they thought that it would teach the colonists to fight back and end rebellion. The British were terribly wrong and it led ti even more rebellions. Important people were General Howe and General Washington. -
Battle of Saratoga
There was two battles at Saratoga one at Freeman's Farm on the date of September 9th and the other was at Bemis Heights on October 9th. The patriots were defeated at Freeman's farm, but at Bemis Heights General Benedict arnold issed a persistant counterattack on the British army and forced the British to surrender. The was a major turning point in the war and it led people to think that America could actualy exist independantly. -
Articles of Confederation adopted
On this day the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation, but it wasnt until March 1, 1781 that the last of the 13 states ratified it. The Patriots The Articles of Confederation became known as the first constitution of the United States. It wasn't until later that we replaced the Articles of Confederation with the Constitution. -
Winter at Valley Forge
Washington's forces arrive at Valley Forge. They remained in winter quarters for six months. Since the British had succsesfully captured Philadelphia Washington's leadership abilities were questioned by members of the Congress. Washington's army was on the brink of collapse. Washington had hoped to supply everyone with food and the appropriate winter clothing, but the Congress couldn't provide them. This could've signaled the end of the revolution but Washington refused to give up. -
Alliance with France
Representatives of the Continental Congress and the French government signed a treaty of alliance. The treaty facilitates commercial exchange, provides French recognition of the United States, and it also pledges mutual support in battles against Great Britain. -
Battle of Monmouth Court House
British and American forces clash in New Jersey. This battle really shows the Continental Army's reforms in training and discipline during their encampment in Valley Forge. The Continental Army won this battle. Important people in this battle were George Washington, Sir Henry Clinton, and Charles lee. -
Fall of Savannah
The British were so frusterated that they couldn't bring victory in the North that they tried again in the south. The British figured that if they could occupy the ports of Savannah and Charleston they could bring an end to rebellion through slower American trade. In the fall of 1779 the American forces with the help of French forces tried to recapture the city, but failed. This was a British victory. -
Spain enters the war
Spain refused to recognize American independance or enter a formal alliance with the United States. In the battle spain assists the French by joining opperations against the British. -
Siege of Charleston
This was a British victory. On the day after Christmas General Clinton along with 8,000 men from New York city went to attack Charleston. There ended up being arounf 14,000 British forces in the area and 5,400 local militiamen. After 3 months of heavy battle the city surrendered. It was the greatest American defeat in the whole war. This was attempted once before by Clinton but it failed the first time. -
Benedict Arnold's treason discovered
On this day General Benedict Arnold met with British major John Andre to discuss handing over west point to the British in return for a large sum of money and a high ranking in the British Army. The plan was folied and he was known as a traitor. -
French and British battle in Chesapeake Bay
This was also known as the battle of the capes or the battle of Virginia capes. It was one of the most ciritcal navel battles in the U.S. It lasted two and a half hours and didn't involve any Americans. It assured that the United States would win its independance. -
Siege of Yorktown
General Cornwallis took 1,500 men north. Upon Cornwallis's arrival he took command of all British forces in Virginia. He gathered an army of 8,000 men. He set out to pursue Marquis de Lafayette. Cornwallis finally led them to Yorktown to await supplies and reinforcements in New York. Washington and General Comte de Rochambeau tricked the redcoats into thinking that they were to attack New York and it caught General Cornwallis off gaurd. When Cornwallis called for backup it didn't come in time -
Cornwallis Surrenders
Cornwallis was forced to surrender since his backuo didn't come. The British gave up fighting the Americans and this was the end of the war. Cornwallis was defeated by gunfire and raid and the Patriots won.
