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56 representatives from every state except Georgia meet in Philadelphia.
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John Hancock and Joseph Warren make preparations for war in a congress meeting in Cambridge, Mass.
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General Gage orders 700 British soldiers to destroy the Americans' weapons depot.
One unordered shot started the revolution. -
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13,600 American soldiers are mobilized and march towards Boston
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John Hancock is elected as the Congress's president, and George Washington is appointed General of the New Continental Army.
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The first major conflict between the Americans and British. The British lose half of their force of 2000, The Americans lose 400, including Gen. Joseph Warren.
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The Americans capture Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston. The British evacuate. Washington rushes to New York to set up defences
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Richard Henry Lee proposes the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson finishes the first draft in one day. Changes are made by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams.
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U.S. Declaration of Independence is presented to the public. This is regarded as "The Birth of America"
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General Washington is defeated by Gen. Howe of the British as he is outnumbered two to one. He avoids another direct conflict by a series of sneaky retreats.
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Spanish Missionaries establish San Francisco on the West Coast.
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Fort Washington is captured by General Howe, and Fort Lee is captured by Gen. Cornwallis. 3000 American casualties are suffered.
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The naval base located at Newport, Rhode Island is captured by the British
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The Americans cross the Delaware River and take Trenton, NJ.
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The Americans defeat the British at Princeton, pushing them back to New Brunswick.
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General Burgoyne of the British Army takes Fort Ticonderoga
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Gen. Howe marches towards Philadelphia with 15,000 men, defying the original plan to surround New England.
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British General Howe takes Philadelphia, the Congress is forced to move to York, Pennsylvania.
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General Burgoyne and his army of 5,700 men surrender to the Americans.
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Baron von Steuben arrives at Valley Forge to train General Washington's men.
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The British create a peace commision. The commision travels to Philadelphia, promising all of the Americans' wishes, except independence. It is rejected by congress.
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Gen. Clinton, fearing a French blockade, withdraws out of Philadelphia, which is retaken by the Americans. General Clinton instead heads towards New York.
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Washington sends troops to intercept the Americans.
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Congress returns to Philadelphia.
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France declares war on Britain
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The British start a southern campaign by capturing Savannah and Augusta.
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Spain also declares war on Britain, but does not ally with the Americans.
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General Washington sets up camp at Morristown, New Jersey. This results in low morale and multiple attempts at mutiny.
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The US suffer the biggest loss of the Revolutionary War, The British capture Charleston and the entire southern American army.
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This includes black slaves.
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General Gates is defeated by British General Cornwallis in South Carolina.
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General Nathanael Greene, Washington's most capable General replaces General Gates in the South.
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The Americans defeat the British at Cowpens, South Carolina.
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General Cornwallis suffers heavy losses in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in North Carolina. He stops trying to capture the Carolinas.
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Thomas Jefferson narrowly avoids the British and is not captured at Charlottesville Virginia.
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General Cornwallis sets up camp to let his 10,000 troops rest at Yorktown, Virginia.
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General Washington abandons his attack on New York to attack Yorktown after he recieves a letter from French Admiral Count de Grasse saying that his fleet of French ships will come down the Chesapeake Bay, near Cornwallis.
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French Admiral de Grasse's run into ships of the British fleet under the command of Adm. Thomas Graves. The British are outnumbered and defeated.
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General Washington and 17,000 men begin the Siege of Yorktown. British supplies are very low.
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As Yorktown is about to be taken, The British raise a flag of truce. General Washington and Cornwallis discuss surrendering matters.
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The British house of commons votes against further conflict in America.
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Britain officially declares an end to the war in America.