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Paul Revere's Ride
Paul Revere's Ride happened on April 18th, 1775. Paul Revere had the important task of warning colonial militia and key leaders that the British were coming. Revere was accompanied by William Dawes and Samuel Prescott on this crucial task. Revere's ride was an important moment in the American Revolution because if he hadn't made the trip to warn the militia and key leaders, they wouldn't have been prepared to face off against the British in the battles of Lexington and Concord. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battle of Lexington and Concord occurred on April 19th, 1775. British troops, led by Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith, were sent to Lexington and Concord to seize weapons and arrest key figures like Samuel Adams and John Hancock. These actions would start a battle between British troops and local militia. The British troops would then be overwhelmed by the colonial militia and be forced into retreating. This feud would spark the start of a seven-year American Revolutionary War. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Banker Hill happened on June 17th, 1775. Colonial forces discovered that the British planned to send troops to take the hills surrounding Boston. With this intel, Colonel William Prescott fortified Breed's Hill. The British then tried to launch the assault, but the colonists held their ground until they ran out of ammunition and were forced to retreat. This was a crucial moment because it showed that the colonies could stand up against the British Army, boosting American morale. -
The Creation of the Declaration of Independence
The Continental Congress decided to declare independence from Britain so they made a committee that included, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin to create a draft. Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft and had it checked by the committee and Congress. The committee and Congress then approved the final version on July 4th, 1776. This document gave the colonies independence from England and helped unite the colonies in the fight against the British for their liberty. -
Thomas Paine's Writing of "The American Crisis"
Thomas Paine's writing of "The American Crisis" was on December 19th, 1776. Thomas Paine wrote "The American Crisis" to inspire the American colonists during the Revolutionary War. One of his most famous lines "These are the times that try men's souls," was written to help boost the morale of the soldiers and public. These pamphlets were important because they helped lift spirits and encouraged the colonists to keep on fighting, which would then lead to their victory over the British Armies. -
The Crossing of the Delaware River
This journey had General George Washington and colonial forces cross the Delaware River on Christmas to have the element of surprise which was a painful and nearly impossible mission. With harsh winter conditions, strong winds, and freezing temperatures, it seemed impossible for the colonists. But despite the challenges, they managed to cross the River. Being able to cross the river was very important because they were then able to catch the Hessian forces by surprise, eventually defeating them. -
The Battle of Trenton
The Battle of Trenton happened on December 26th, 1776. General George Washington led the Continental Army in a surprise attack on Hessian forces which were in Trenton, New Jersey. Having crossed the Delaware River on Christmas, the colonial forces were able to attack the Hessian forces by surprise, which led to a victory for the Continental Army. This win helped boost the morale and lift the spirits of the American forces and was considered a turning point in the Revolutionary War. -
The Battle of Philadelphia
British Armies, led by General William Howe, aimed to capture Philadelphia. This led to the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777, and the Battle of Germantown on October 4th, 1777. On September 26th, 1777, British troops managed to capture the American capital Philadelphia. The capturing of the nation's capital took a huge blow to American morale, forcing the Continental Congress to relocate. Having lost Philadelphia, this convinced the French to enter the war and fight alongside America. -
The Battles of Saratoga
On September 19th, 1777, British General John Burgoyne led his army to gain control of the Hudson River Valley, but American forces, led by General Horatio Gates and helped by Benedict Arnold, successfully prevented them from doing so. With the British being outnumbered, it forced them to surrender on October 17th, 1777. This helped boost patriot morale and secure an alliance with France, showing them that the American forces could hold their own against a superior British Army. -
Winter at Valley Forge
During the winter of 1777-1778, General George Washington and his continental army camped at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. It was here that the army faced cold weather, lack of clothing, and food shortages. Prussian military officer Baron von Steuben took advantage of these conditions and used them to train and discipline the Colonial Army. This helped boost the army's effectiveness, morale, military skills, and resilience, allowing them to prevail during harsh conditions and tough situations. -
The Battles of Yorktown
On September 28th, 1781, American forces, led by General George Washington, and French forces, led by General Lord Cornwallis, worked together to launch a siege against the British that was stationed in Yorktown, Virginia. The colonial and French forces worked together to cut off British supplies and escape routes, forcing them to surrender on October 18th, 1781. This victory was considered the last major battle of the Revolutionary War and eventually resulted in the Treaty of Paris in 1783. -
The Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3rd, 1783, which officially ended the Revolutionary War. The treaty was negotiated in Paris with Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay representing the United States, and David Hartley and Richard Oswald representing Great Britain. Here the two nations negotiated terms of peace and recognition of independence. This treaty formally established the United States as an independent nation and provided future growth for the United States of America.