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Lexington
The battle of Lexington was the first battle fought in the American Revolution. There were 70 minute men there ready to fight the British, but when the minute men refused to set down their arms and retreat the British fired. Eight minute men died. -
Concord
When the British arrived at Concord they searched the arsenal only to find it empty. They decided to go back to Boston, but between 3,000 to 4,000 minute men had assembled and began to shoot at the British. Many British soldiers died and those that survived escaped back to Boston. -
Bunker Hill
British general Thomas Gage sent 2,400 soldiers to attack the colonist army. The militia fought back until they had to retreat. The colonist that lost their lives were 450 and there were about 1,000 British casualties. -
New York
British sent 32,000 soldiers to try to take over New York City. The British wanted to take New England so they could stop the rebellion. The continental army try to defend NY but were not able to because they were not as trained and equipped as the British. -
Trenton
General George Washington led 2,400 colonist over the Delaware River and into Trenton on a cold December night. The reason was to cause a surprise attack on the Hessians (British allies). The colonist were successful. -
Philadelphia
British soldiers captured Philadelphia, which was the capital during that time. Before General Burgoyne surrendered, he realized that the British troops in Philadelphia were not coming to meet him. They were too busy keeping Philadelphia under their control. -
Saratoga
General John Burgoyne decided to take his army from Canada to Albany to meet with other British troops and take over New England together, but the Continental Army was waiting for them. Colonist from all of New England came to fight in the militia and General Burgoyne ultimately surrendered in Saratoga. This victory convinced the French that the colonist had a chance of beating Britain so they now openly decided to ally with the colonist after secretly providing supplies. -
Valley Forge
Because the Continental Army was very low on supplies and food, George Washington led the colonist to Valley Forge where they would stay during the winter. More than 2,000 soldiers died at Valley Forge because of the rough conditions. The surviving soldiers kept hope to defeat the British despite the conditions. -
Marquis De Lafayette:
Lafayette was a French military leader who came to Valley Forge to prepare the Continental Army to fight. He convinced the French to send backup troops. He also led a army in a fight in Virginia against the British . -
Yorktown
Yorktown was the place where General Cornwallis decided to camp with his army of 7,500 soldiers when he was planning to conquer Virginia. The French and American troops attacked and Cornwallis surrendered. A French naval victory over the British blocked the other British troops from assisting Cornwallis. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was the document that made it known that the 13 colonies were now independent. It also stated what the country’s boundaries were. America width was from the east coast to the Mississippi River.
