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Stanp Act
Britan passed a law that increased the taxes on goods needed to stay alive. These items included legal documents, newspapers, and playing cards. This was the direct tax on the American Colonists and is resisted greatly. A successful American Campaign to have the act repealed will give Americans confidence that they can avoid future taxes. -
Boston Tea Party
Boston Tea PartyIn order to help boost the East India Company, the British parliment past the tea act in 1773. Tea shipments were highly regected by Charleston, New York, and Philadelphia Boston merchants still sent shpments to those cities. Samuel Adams and and the Sons of Liberty boarded three ships and threw 342 chests of tea overboard. -
Lexington and Concord
The British had heard of Patriots stockpiling gunpowder, muskets, and amunition and sent men to destroy the stockpile. As the british were on their way to destroy the stockpile they were ambushed by patriots. The news spread quickly about the patriot victory and many volunteers joined what was the beginning of the Continental Army. -
Bunker Hill
This was the first major action of the war and inexperienced colonial soldiers held off British veterans. Eventually the patriots were forced off of the hill they showed that they are not scared of the redcoats. Of the 2,200 British redcoats fighting 1,000 ended up dead or wounded. -
British form an Alliance with Patriots' Slaves
The British governor of Virginia issued a proclamation offering freedom to any slaves of rebellious Americans who are able to enter british lines. This proclamation would in a sense kill two birds with one stone for the british, hurting the patriots rations and grow the British army. Over the years tens of thousands of patriot slaves would join the British army and only a small number would fight for the patriots. -
Loyalists defeated at Moores Creek
A group of loyalists made mostly of Scottish descent is defeated by a patriot patrol. This setback will stop loyalist activity for three years. Loyalists are people who want to stay under British rule. -
South Carolinians repel British attempt to take Charleston
The British launch an all day attack on at patriot force on Sullivan's Island. The British were unsuccessful to land their troops on the island and the waters of Charlston Harbor made it so the British Navy could not get into the Harbor. The British give up and is left untouched for three years. -
America Declares its Independence
The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Second Continental congress. This followed a decade of taxes and a year of war representatives sign the declaration splitting them from British rule. King George III doesn't want to let his foothold to the new world to slip so he keeps the war going. -
Washington Crosses the Deliware
Washington Crosses the DelewareThis campaign took over a year and lasted from Christmas Eve 1776- January 1777. Washington moved his troops into New Jersey and surprised a force of German soldiers fighting for Britan in Trenton on December 26th. Then they won again at Prinston on January 3rd. The army then stayed the winter at Morristown, New Jersey. -
The Battle of Saratoga
Battle of SaratogaThe British had attempted to separate the New England colonies from the Southern Colonies. This was one of the biggest losses that the British had suffered. 6,000 British troops had surrendered to the patriots. This victory will help convince France to join the colonists in fighting the British. -
Valley Forge
Valley ForgeWhile the Brtish occupied Philidelphia 20 miles away the Continental Army finds a spot at Valley Forge to stay for the winter. This winter the continental army's supplies will be improved and they will come out of this winter drilled and disciplined and a united fighting force. All of this was due to a Russian General Baron von Steuben. -
France Enters the War
Because of the victory at Saratoga and the diplomatic efforts of America, France becomes an ally with the new American government. The French financial and military aid will be very critical in winning the war. The Continental Army will learn of the French Alliance in May. -
George Rogers Clark attacks the British in the Ohio Valley
With only 150 men George Rogers Clark captured several British posts in the Ohio Territory from May to December. Clark's victories will help pave the way for the colonist's expantion North of the Ohio River.This convinced inhabitants of Kaskaskia and Cahokia to help the Patriot cause. The Ohio Territory consists of what is today Illinois and Indiana. -
The American tide continues at the Cowpens
The Continental soldiers and patriot militia under General Daniel Morgan defeats a British force at cowpens. This victory helps convince patriots that the British southern strategy can be countered. The patriots suffered 25 dead and 124 injured while the British suffered 110 killed, 229 injured, and 829 captured or missing. -
Yorktown
From September to October a joined French and American force traps a large British army on Virginia's Yorktown peninsula. The British were unable to recieve supplies because of a French fleet General Cornwallis is forced to surrender. New York City and Charleston remained in British hands until a peace treaty is signed two years later. This event means that the war for American independance is basically over
