-
Period: to
1587 to 1814
-
Colonial wars (1620–1774)
Series of battles consisting of local militias battling various Native American tribes, as well as colonial involvement in the French and Indian War. This military experience was crucial later on during the Revolutionary War when George Washington led the Continental Army into battle against the British Empire. -
The French and Indian War (1754–1763)
The French and Indian war was the bloodiest battle of the 18th century, resulting in more casualties(22,300) then even the Revolutionary War. In this war, the French and American Indian forces formed an alliance to take on the British for reasons such as territorial expansion and religious ideologies with the British ultimately winning the war. The debt it caused however would lead to the heavy taxation that lead to American Revolutionary War. -
End of Colonial wars (1620–1774)
-
Siege of Boston (April 19, 1775 – March 17, 1776)
The Siege of Boston was a successful capturing of Boston by the American troops. After 11 months of siege, British forces were required to retreat after Washington had a former bookseller by the name of Henry Knox bring in cannons that were captured at Fort Ticonderoga. Over 1550 troops were wounded or killed on both sides combined. -
Lexington and Concord in April 1775
The Battle of Lexington and Concord was the first official military battle in the American Revolutionary War, which was fought in Massachusetts. Eventually, the militiamen were able to push British forces back to Boston beginning the Siege of Boston. The most famous quote to come from this battle, was Ralph Waldo Emerson's describing of the first shot fired as the "shot heard 'round the world." Patriot's Day is celebrated on the third Monday in April in honor and memory of the battle. -
The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783)
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America. They first rejected the authority of the Parliament of Great Britain to govern them from overseas without representation, and then expelled all royal officials. By 1774, each colony had established a Provincial Congress, or an equivalent governmental institut -
The Siege of Fort Ticonderoga
Fort Ticonderoga, which is located on Lake Champlain, became an objective for its stores of munitions and the strategic position of control that it held over the waterways to Canada. -
The Battle of Chelsea Creek
The British colonists met their goal of strengthening the siege of Boston by removing livestock and hay on those islands from the reach of the British regulars. The British armed schooner Diana was also destroyed and its weaponry was appropriated by the Colonial side. This was the first naval capture of the war, and it was a significant boost to the morale of the Colonial forces. -
Battle of trenton
At about eight o'clock on the morning of December 26, 1776, American troops surprised a Hessian picket guard, stationed in houses along the Pennington road about a half mile outside Trenton. Despite a disorganized show of resistance, the Germans were quickly captured or dispersed. -
Washington's crossing of the Delaware River
That action was the first move in a surprise attack against the Hessian forces at Trenton, New Jersey in the Battle of Trenton. -
Siege of Yorktown October 19, 1781
decisive victory by a combined force of American Continental Army troops led by General George Washington and French Army troops led by the Comte de Rochambeau over a British Army commanded by Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis. The culmination of the Yorktown campaign, it proved to be the last major land battle of the American Revolutionary War in North America, as the surrender by Cornwallis of his army prompted the British government to negotiate an end to the conflict. -
The Treaty of Paris, September 3, 1783
"The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, ended the American Revolutionary War between Great Britain on one side and the United States of America and its allies on the other. The other combatant nations, France, Spain and the Dutch Republic had separate agreements; for details of these, and the negotiations which produced all four treaties, see Peace of Paris (1783)." -
War of 1812 June 18, 1812 – February 18, 1815
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States and those of the British Empire. The United States declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions brought about by Britain's ongoing war with France, the impressment of American merchant sailors into the Royal Navy, British support of American Indian tribes against American expansion, outrage over insults to national honour after humiliations on the high seas, and possible American desi -
Battle of Horseshoe Bend March 27, 1814
" On March 27, 1814, United States forces and Indian allies under Major General Andrew Jackson defeated the Red Sticks, a part of the Creek Indian tribe who opposed American expansion, effectively ending the Creek War." -
Battle of Bladensburg 24 August 1814
"The Battle of Bladensburg took place during the War of 1812. The defeat of the American forces there allowed the British to capture and burn the public buildings of Washington, D.C. It has been called "the greatest disgrace ever dealt to American arms."One of the bulidings burned the newly built White House. -
Battle of Baltimore September 12–15, 1814
"The Battle of Baltimore was a combined sea/land battle fought between British and American forces . It was one of the turning points of the war as American forces repulsed sea and land invasions of the busy port city of Baltimore, Maryland, and killed the commander of the invading British army forces. The defense of Baltimore’s Fort McHenry in the battle inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem "Defence of Fort McHenry" which later became the lyrics for "The Star-Spangled Banner." -
End of Battle of Baltimore September 12–15, 1814
-
Battle of New Orleans January 8, 1815
"The Battle of New Orleans took place on January 8, 1815 and was the final major battle of the War of 1812. American forces, commanded by Major General Andrew Jackson, defeated an invading British Army intent on seizing New Orleans and the vast territory the United States had acquired with the Louisiana Purchase." -
End of War of 1812 June 18, 1812 – February 18, 1815
