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Lexington and Concord
On the morning of April 19th, 1775 British General Thomas Gage commanded 700 regulars to confiscate weapons and ammunition the colonists had been storing in warehouses throughout Concord, just outside of Boston. They also intended to make an arrest on Samuel Adams and John Hancock, two of the key leaders in the patriot movement. -
The Second Continental Congress
The 13 delegates gathered in Philadelphia to discuss their next move. -
George Washington named Commander in Chief
George Washington was named the Commander in Chief of the continental army, but with the name came the task of getting an army together. -
The Battle at Bunker Hill
The colonial militia learned that British generals were planning to send troops from Boston to occupy the hills surrounding the city. William Prescott with about 1,200 colonial militia quickly constructed earthen fortifications on top of Breed's Hill. The first two assaults were repulsed by the colonial militia resulting in considerable losses to the British force. On the third assault, the colonial militia ran out of ammunition and had to retreat back to Cambridge. -
Olive Branch Petition
This was the colonies last plea for repenistation from George the Third. It was instituded by John Dickison during the First Continential Congress. -
Thomas Paine's Common Sense is published
Paine's arguments were straightforward. He argued for two main points: (1) independence from England and (2) the creation of a democratic republic. -
The Battle of Long Island
The battle was part of a British attempts to gain control of New York and thereby isolate New England from the rest of the colonies. It was led by General Howe who was ordered by Lord North. Brittish won and only lost 400 soldiers while America lost 2,000. Washington’s defeat could have led to the surrender of his entire force, but his ingenuity allowed him to escape and continue the fight. -
The Virginia Declaration of Rights
• All men are equally free and independent by nature
• All men are entitled to enjoy the rights of life and liberty
• All power is derived from and kept by the people
• Government is instituted for the common welfare of the people and if it does not serve this purpose, the people have a right to alter or abolish it
• All men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion. This document influenced other colonies by serving as a strong example for them to mold their own declarations or bil -
Declaration of Independence is Written
Written by Tohmas Jefferson, the Declaration was the offical document that declared the americans were going to fight for independence from Great Britan. One of the Three essential documents of America. -
Pennsylvania Constitution
This constitution created a one house legislature with complete power. It also created provisons like education and citizen protection. it was alarming to some because it was very democratic. -
The Battle of Trenton
Washington’s men and cannons crossed the icy river in boats and began the 19-mile march towards Trenton in a freezing storm. After fighting for only one hour, the Patriots defeated the Hessians -
Battle of Saratoga
British General John Burgoyne achieved a small, but costly victory over American forces led by Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold. Though his troop strength had been weakened, Burgoyne again attacked the Americans at Bemis Heights on October 7th, but this time was defeated and forced to retreat. He surrendered ten days later, and the American victory convinced the French government to formally recognize the colonist’s cause and enter the war as their ally -
Lafayette arrives in Philadelphia
The 19-year old French aristocrat, Lafayette, sails into South Carolina. He later travels to Philidephia where he will serve as Washington's second in command. -
Valley Forge
Washington along with 11,000 men and 500 woment and children, camped at Valley Forge for the winter. The lay of the land made Valley Forge a natural fortress. The army's camp sat high on a plateau at the top of a series of hills that protected it. Valley Forge was close enough to the capital of Philadelphia for the Continental Army to keep an eye on the British and prevent any surprise attacks on settlements in the countryside. -
The Treaty of Alliance
The Treaty of Alliance was the defensive alliance between France and the United States of America, formed in the midst of the American Revolutionary War, which promised military support in case of attack by British forces indefinitely into the future. France made their decision to agree on the alliance after the Patriot win at Saratoga. It also gave the French the West Indies. -
The Patriots leave Valley Forge
After surviving and training through a brutal winter the patriots leave Valley Forge stronger than ever. -
Spain Declares War on Great Britain
The American Revolution had already spawned a world war between the two international powers of Britain and France. Spain's entry into the war ensured that the British would have to spread their resources even thinner. -
Articles of Confederation Adopted
The Articles of Confederation was the first written constitution of the United States. Under these articles, the states remained sovereign and independent, with Congress serving as the last resort on appeal of disputes. Congress was also given the authority to make treaties and alliances, maintain armed forces and coin money. However, the government lacked the ability to levy taxes and regulate commerce. -
The French push the British out of Chesapeake Bay
The British and French Naval Fleet fired canons at eachother at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. it was dire that the French beat the British so that the royal navy could not help its ground forces at Yorktown, Virginia. -
Battle at Yorktown
General George Washington, commanding a force of 17,000 French and Continental troops, begins the siege known as the Battle of Yorktown against British General Lord Charles Cornwallis and a contingent of 9,000 British troops at Yorktown. After three weeks of non-stop bombardment, both day and night, from cannon and artillery, Cornwallis surrendered to Washington in the field at Yorktown on October 17, 1781, ending the War for Independence. -
The Treaty of Paris
he Treaty of Paris, negotiated between the United States and Great Britain, ended the revolutionary war and recognized American independence. The Continental Congress named a five-member commission to negotiate a treaty–John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Laurens. -
The U.S. Constitution is signed
The U.S. Constitution established America’s national government and fundamental laws, and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens. At the 1787 convention, delegates devised a plan for a stronger federal government with three branches along with a system of checks and balances to ensure no single branch would have too much power. The Bill of Rights became part of the Constitution in 1791. -
The U.S. Constution is adopted
compromise was reached under which Massachusetts and other states would agree to ratify the document with the assurance that amendments would be immediately proposed. The Constitution was thus narrowly ratified in Massachusetts, followed by Maryland and South Carolina. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the document, and it was subsequently agreed that government under the U.S. Constitution would begin on March 4, 1789.
