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Boston Tea Party
Angered by the Tea Acts, American patriots disguised as Mohawk Indians dump £9,000 of East India Company tea into the Boston harbour. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
First engagements of the Revolutionary War between British troops and the Minutemen, who had been warned of the attack by Paul Revere. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The first major battle of the War of Independence. Sir William Howe dislodged William Prescott's forces overlooking Boston at a cost of 1054 British casualties to the Americans' 367. -
Olive-Branch Petition
1775
5 July
Congress endorses a proposal asking for recognition of American rights, the ending of the Intolerable Acts in exchange for a cease fire. George III rejected the proposal and on 23 August 1775 declared the colonies to be in open rebellion. -
Period: to
Battles of Long Island and White Plains
British forces occupy New York after American defeats. -
Battle of Trenton, New Jersey
Provided a boast to American morale. -
Battle of Princeton, New Jersey.
General Washington broke camp at Trenton to avoid a British advance, attacking the British rearguard and train near Princeton and then withdrawing to Morristown. -
British surrender of 5,700 troops at Saratoga.
Lacking supplies, 5,700 British, German and loyalist forces under Major General John Burgoyne surrender to Major General Hora -
France recognises US Independence.
The French monarchy recognized the independence of the United States. -
Period: to
Shays’s Rebellion
Massachusetts rebellion led by the Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays against high taxes.
