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Battle of Quebec
Patriot forces under control of Benedict Arnold and Richard Montgomery tried to capture British-occupied city Quebec and win support of American cause in Canada. However, they attacked in a blizzard and failed terribly and the British won the battle. -
Declaration of Independence Signed
Thomas Jefferson wrote the document to tell the British they wanted independence. It was signed on August 2, 1776 by 56 people. Some important people are John Adams, John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. -
Battle of New York
Washington was defeated badly in Long Island, but he was able to escape and keep on fighting in the war. This was part of the British plan to isolate New England from the rest of the colonies. -
Battle of Brandywine
General William Howe and General Cornwallis launch a full scale attack on Washington near Chadds Ford. With Howe attacking from the front and Cornwallis circling around and attacking the right flank. Washington was caught off guard and had to retreat so the British won this battle. -
Battle of Saratoga
British General John Burgoyne was defeated and forced to retreat and this was a turning point in the war. The Americans won this battle. The French entered the war after this battle. -
Winter at Valley Forge
On this day General George Washington brought the continental army to valley forge for the winter. Although, this was a very long winter. Washington did not have enough supplies. Some people did not even have shoes and disease was spreading. But then a French man named Marquis de Lafayette lifted spirits with better military training. Washington and his army left Valley Forge on June 19, 1778. -
Battle of Vincennes
American George Rogers Clark marches toward Illinois then defeats the British at Vincennes, Indiana. This sets up the US getting the mid-west after the war. -
Battle of Kings Mountain
This was an important American victory after the British invaded Charleston, South Carolina. Some people involved were Major Ferguson and William Campbell. -
Battle of Cowpens
Americans under General Daniel Morgan routed British forces. The British suffered heavy casualty's and America got the win. This was a turning point in the wars southern campaign. -
Battle of Yorktown
British General Cornwallis gets trapped by Washington and the French at Yorktown. Cornwallis surrenders and this is the last major battle of the war! America wins! -
Treaty of Paris
Ended the Revolutionary War. It recognized American freedom, gave the USA the mid-west, and gave Florida back to Spain. Peace commissioners from America included Ben Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams.