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Battle of Lexington and Concord
The Battle of Lexington and Concord has been known to be the shot that was heard around the world. Paul Revere and William Dawes alerted 70 minutemen. The battles were lead by Captain John Parker. In the Battle of Lexington the Patriots won, but in the Battle of Concord the British won. Even though the British won the Battle showed that the Patriots were going to put up a good fight. -
Period: to
Revolutionary War
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Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
Shortly after the Battle of Lexington and Concord, Benedict Arnold was told to raise a force of 400 to capture Fort Ticonderoga. Fort Ticonderoga was strategically placed and had a lot of military supplies. Benedict Arnold found out that Ethan Allen was planning to attack the fort as well. The two forces teamed up caught the British of guard. The garrison surrendered on May 10th. The Americans won. -
Second Continental Congress meets
Despite the fighting of Lexington and Concord the members of congress ready to break away from Great Britain. The delegates included; John Adams, Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, and George Washington. The delegates chose John Hancock to be president of the Second Continental Congress. They began to govern the colonies along with many other things. Most importantly they created the Continental Army to fight against Britain. -
George Washington named commander-in-chief
George Washington had been serving in the Virginia House of Burgesses when the second Continental Congress voted to have him lead the Continental Army. He had earlier shown his worth, when he was commander for the British Army in the French and Indian War in 1754. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
On June 16 1775, about 1,200 militiamen under the command of Colonel William Prescott set up fortifications at Bunker Hill and nearby Breed’s Hill. The British drove Americans away from their locations overlooking the city. The next day the British charged up Breed’s Hill. The Americans didn’t open fire until “they saw the whites of their eyes” they forced the British to retreat. The British charged two more times. In the end the American’s ran out of gunpowder and had to withdraw. The British -
Battle of Trenton
George Washington’s forces crossed the Delaware on Christmas night,when heading to Trenton. George divided his men, sending flanking columns under General Nathaniel Greene and General John Sullivan.The Hessian force at Trenton numbered 1,400 under the leadership of Colonel Johann Rail. Although Johann had received warnings of colonial movements, his men were exhausted and unprepared for Washington’s attack. The Partiot’s won the battle. -
American defeat at Quebec
With the year-end expiration of the troops enlistment near, the American forces advanced on Quebec. There were two forces in the battle Benedict Arnold’s and General Richard Montgomery’s. The British defenders were ready, but General Richard Montgomery’s forces continued to approach the city. The British opened fire and Montgomery was the first killed. They were forced to retreat. Benedict Arnold’s forces received a similar fate. Of the 1,200 American who participated, 400 were captured, wounded -
British evacuate Boston
British forces were forced to evacuate Boston, because George Washington was successful in placing his fortifications and cannons on Dorchester Heights, which overlooks the city from the south. 11,000 British troops and about 1,000 loyalists departed by ship and sailed to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Patriots won. -
Declaration of independence isssued
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. When the second Continental Congress issued the Declaration of Independence, the 13 colonies were done with all of their connections with Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence stated the colonist’s reasons for wanting independence. By declaring themselves and independent country, the colonists were able to set up an official alliance with France and have French assistance in the war. -
Battle of Long Island
On August 27, 1776, the British Army moved against the American Continental Army that was led by George Washington. The battle was apart British campaign to seize control of New York and try to isolate New England from the rest of the colonies. Washington defeat would have most likely led most people to surrender, but he stayed strong and continued to escape and fight. The British won. -
British occupy New York City
British general William Howe attacked the American center after they had completed their work. They attacked the Americans with my many warships and German troop to assist them. About 50 American soldiers were killed during the fighting, some after they surrendered, and 367 were captured. Washington’s army suffered another defeat, but continued to fight for independence. -
Battle of Saratoga
On September 19, British general John Burgoyne achieved a victory over American forces that were led by Benedict Arnold and Horatio Gates, but that victory did not come cheap. Even though his strength had took powerful blows and was fairly weak John decided to attack the Americans again at Bemis Heights on October 17th, this fight was not as easy and was forced tor retreat. He surrendered 10 days later. The Americans won this battle. -
British occupy Philadelphia
The British marched into Philadelphia, since the Patriots knew of their arrival the capital was left abandoned. Thing were no going well until the forts held by the Patriots were taken by the British and a steady supply of food and equipment flowed into the community. When the French Alliance was announced, the occupying British feared attack from the French Armada and quickly abandoned the city. The Americans won. -
Articles of Confederation adopted
The Articles of Confederation provided only loose federation of the American states. Congress was a single house each state having one vote, and a president elected to chair the assembly. Although Congress did not have the right to levy taxes, it did have the authority over foreign affairs and could regulate and national army and declare war and peace. -
Winter at Valley Forge
When George Washington led his troop into Valley Forge it was in the middle of winter and Patriot sprits were down. Conditions at Valley Forge were terrible. The soldiers lacked decent food, clothing, and shelter. Conditions got so bad that many men deserted the camp without permission. -
Alliance with France
Representatives from the United States and France signed the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and the Treaty of Alliance in Paris. The Treat of Amity and Commerce recognized the United States as an independent nation and encouraged trade between France and America. The Treaty of Amity provided military alliance against Great Britain. -
Battle at Monmouth Courthouse
George Washington dispatched Major General Charles Lee with 5,000 men to assault the British rear guard near Monmouth Courthouse. Lee mismanaged the fight and was forced to retreat with the British in pursuit. Repeatedly British Attacks were beaten off. Both sides claiming victory ended the battle. -
Fall of Savannah
British Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell and his force of between 2,500 and 3,600 troops lunched a surprise attack on American forces defending Savannah, Georgia. -
Spain enter the war
Spain entered the Revolutionary War by creating an alliance with the Americans. The American Revolution already created a world war between Britain and France. By Spain entering the war the British would have to spread the resources even thinner. -
Siege of Charleston
The American Army probably suffered the worst defeat in the war at the Siege of Charleston. Major General Benjamin Lincoln had to surrender to British Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton and his army of 10,000 in Charleston, South Carolina. General Lincoln suffered much humiliation after this. The British won this battle. -
Benedict's treason discovered
Benedict Arnold met with British Major John Andre to discuss handing over west point, in return for the promise of a large sum of money and a high position in the British army. The plot was foiled and Arnold, who was a former American hero, became a known traitor. -
French and British Battle at Chesapeake Bay
George Washington commanded Marquis de Lafayette and an American army of 5,000 troops to block Charles Cornwallis escape for Yorktown, while the French naval fleet blocked the British escape by sea. The Americans won the Battle -
Siege of Yorktown
George Washington commanding a force of 17,000 French and Continental troops began the Siege of Yorktown, against the British General Lord Charles Cornwallis and 9,000 other British troops. This siege was the most important battle of the Revolutionary War. The Americans won this battle. -
Cornwallis Surrenders
Charles Cornwallis after three weeks non-stop bombardment both day and night, surrendered to George Washington in the field at Yorktown. Him surrendering ended the Revolutionary War. The Americans won the war.
