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Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson had earned a reputation as an influential writer after he published “A Summary View of the Rights of British America” in 1774. John Adams suggested that Jefferson should write the Declaration of Independence, because he had a gift for penmanship. Thomas Jefferson agreed and finished writing the Declaration of Independence in 1823. Along with the Bill of Rights and the Constitution, it became among the three most important documents in America. -
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The American Revolution
The American olonists demanded representation, and in the process, accountability on the part of their leaders. The underlying message of the growing tension with British Parliament was the American understanding that government exists to serve and protect the people. When it fails to do so, the people can revolt and establish a new government that serves their interests. The American people were also angered by "Taxation without representation" and therefore launched the American Revolution. -
American Flag by Continental Congress
On this day the continental congress adopted the American flag, consisting of thirteen alternating, red and blue stripes, and 13 white stars in a circle on a blue background. There is also a legend behind this flag that a Philadelphian seamstress, Betsy Ross, created this flag upon a requenst from General Washington, however there isn't enough information to establish this as a fact. American flag evolved with the addition of new states, however after this date the layout did not change. -
Battle of Saratoga
Often known as the turning point of the Revolutionary War, the Battle of Saratoga was led by Burgoyne(British), Gates(US), and Arnold(US). Burgoyne use the "Divide and Conquer" strategy to win the first battle. The first battle proved to be very costly.The second battle however, didn't go as planned for the British. Burgoyne attacked Bemis heights but was defeated and forced to retreat. He surrendered ten days later. This victory caused france to recignize America and join the war as its ally. -
Articles of Confederation
The Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States, on this date. However, ratification of the Articles by all thirteen states did not occur until March 1, 1781. These documents were agreements of the 13 states to have a governing body with limited power, in order to fight the Revolutionary war. The major downfall of thjs document was the weakness of the country. Each indivisual state possesed power but the federal goverent was weak. -
Peace Commission by the British
This peace commision, often refered to as the Carlisle commision, was an offer to stop the war by the British. After Britian had been surprised by their loss at saratogaand seen that France had joined with America, they offered to negotiate with the Americans, however the commision was not successful. The Continental Congress saw this as a reason to continue fighting for independence and continued the revolution. -
The Treaty of Alliance
The Treaty of Alliance was an alliance between America and Fance during the Revolutionary war. This treaty joined French and American forces to defeat Britian. It was negotiated by the American diplomats Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee. In addition to the Treaty of Alliance, the Treaty of Amity and Commerce with France was signed on February 6, 1778, promoting trade and commercial ties between the two countries. -
Iroquois Campaign against Colonial Settlements
The Battle of Cobleskill was the first move of a major Iroquois campaign against colonial settlements in western New York and Pennsylvania. The Iriquois raided against villages and forts along the New York and Pennsylvania frontiers, including what some call the worst atrocity of the American Revolution, the Cherry Valley Massacre, in November of 1778. The Iroquois campaign caused the Continental Congress to take action, which authorized a major expedition, Sullivan expedition, against them. -
Spain declares war on Great Britian
Being a king himself, King Charles III, didn't want to help colonists fight another king, however French foreign minister Vergennes convinced him to join the French. The American Revolution had already created a great war between the two international powers of Britain and France. Spain’s entry ensured that the British would have to spread their resources even thinner. Because Spain also entered the war against Britian, it became very difficult to fight three great powers of the world at once. -
John Adams appointed to Congress
The Continental Congress appointed John Adams to travel to France as minister in charge of negotiating treaties of peace and trade with Great Britain during the Revolutionary War. The peace agreement as decided by congress was to have Britain give back to the United States all territory westward to the Mississippi River as well as southern Camada. Due to the Treary of Alliance, diplomatic agreements were not reached and the Revolhtionary war continued. -
The Massachusetts Constitution
The 1780 Constitution of Massachusetts, drafted by John Adams, is the world's oldest functioning written constitution. It served as a model for the United States Constitution, which was written in 1787 and became effective in 1789. The reason that the Massachusetts Constitution is so important is because the US contribution was based off of it. And after WW2, other countries, such as Japan, Germany, and India adopted elements of the US Constitution into there own. -
Benedict Arnold appointed commander at Westpoint
On this day in 1780, during the American Revolution, American General Benedict Arnold meets with British Major John Andre to discuss handing over West Point to the British, in return for the promise of a large sum of money and a high position in the British army. Arnold was caught; a former American revolution hero became know to all as a traitor. Andre was captured and executed. Arnold later moved to England, though he never received all of what he’d been promised by the British -
The Battle of Yorktown
In the fall of 1781, a American and French troops attacked the British Army at Yorktown, Virginia. Led by George Washington and French General Comte de Rochambeau, they began their final attack on October 14th, capturing two British defenses and leading to the surrender, just days later, of British General Lord Corwallis and nearly 9,000 troops. Yorktown proved to be the final battle of the American Revolution. The British stopped fighting and started peace negotiations with America.
