-
French Aid
The French were still very angry that the British had been able to beat them. They were also very annoyed with the fact that they practically lost all of their land. Therefore, they aided the Americans by sending over supplies and Guns. -
British Seize New York City
During this time in the war the British are on Fire. They are able to capture cities and beat the Americans. The British wanted to stop the Americans so they decide to move the war to the Middle States. In March 1776, the British are able to take over New York City which isolates New England. -
Two Brothers Join Forces
General William Howe an admiral Richard Howe, two brothers fighting for the British, joined forces in Staten Island. These two men joined their forces and made the British army even bigger. They were able to up the army to 32,000 soldiers including thousands of German soldiers known Hessians who were paid to fight with British. This large army sailed into New York Harbor in summer of 1776. -
Washington Loses New York
Washington had to do something, therefore he rallied to any 23,000 soldier and went up to New York to try to defend it. Unfortunately, he was outnumbered by British's vast army. Washington's untrained army with poor equipment led for the battle to end August 27, 1776 with an American retreat. -
The Americans are Stuggling
The British had one several battles and pushed Washingtons army into Philadelphia. Washington Lost several men either because they were killed or captured. He only had 8,000 men left, and their enlistment was about to end Washington desperately needed a win. -
The Battle of Trenton
Washington came up with a plan, but it was a risky one. On Christmas night 1776, during a violent storm he led 2,500 men on small boats along the Delaware river. He arrived in Trenton, New Jersey the next morning and surprised attacked the Hessians that were there. The Hessians were coming off of a crazy night. They were all hung over and asleep. Washington took this is advantage and killed 30 Hessians and took 918 captive. It was a big win for Washington. -
Washington Wins in Princeton
Washington had just come off an astonishing win at the Battle of Trenton. Motivated by this he led another army and defeated 1,200 British soldiers at Princeton. Washington started to get his army back together and watch his army into camp in Morristown in northern New Jersey. -
British Seek Philadelphia
Come springtime in 1777 in General Howe wanted to get Philadelphia. He got his army and sailed from New York to Chesapeake Bay and landed near the capital in late August. Washington couldn't block the redcoats in the British moved forward. -
British Capture Philadelphia
The British moved forward and got passed the Americans. Through a series of battles at Brandywine Creek the British were able to capture Philadelphia. This meant that Washington had to retreat and the British were in Company of great loyalists. -
Battle of Saratoga
General John Burgoyne had an idea. His idea was to plan a route where he would be able to meet up with Howe's army in New York. The Continental Army heard and was fast to react. They appointed General Horatio Gates to command and gathered militiamen and soldiers to face Burgoyne. Howe never met up with Burgoyne and General Gates surrounded and defeated him at Saratoga on October 17, 1777. This was a turning point for the war as the French would now help the Americans in the war. -
Winter at Valley Forge
After the British took over Philadelphia, Washington and his army had no where else to go. He was forced to spend the winter of 1777-1778 at a camp at Valley Forge. The Winter at Valley Forge was tough. The army lacked supplies food and warmth. Many died from frostbite and hunger. Over 2,000 men died that Winter. -
French and American Alliance
After the American Victory at Saratoga, the French saw how capable the Americans were. They still hated the British and they wanted to be a part of something that would destroy the British. The French and Americas signed a peace treaty in which the French would recognize American Independence and would not make peace with Britain until they recignized the independence too. Also under this treaty the French would provide military aid to the Americans. -
von Steuben to the Rescue
After the harsh winter at Valley Forge and the pivotal Battle at Saratoga, everything started to change for the Americans. Friedech von Steuben, a Prussian Drillmaster, came and trained Washingtons men in February 1778. He tought them several things and implemented a new style of fighting. This new style was very effective and von Steuben's teachings definitely helped the Continental Army. -
British Move South
The Bristish knew they had to switch their gameplay up. Especially after the devastating defeat at Saratoga. They knew they needed more support. Therefore, the British started to focus on the South. They're goal was to get the Loyalist support. -
British Take Savannah
In efforts to control the south the British attack Savannah, Georgia. They are able to easily take control of it starting their campaign for control of the South. -
Lafayette Helps Out Too
In 1779 the Americans gained an extra member to their team. Marquis de Lafayette came in from France and joined Washingtons army. He was a brave, clever and young man who invested in the army and eventually commanded in Virginia not the last years of the war. -
Royal Governor in Georgia
The British were able to capture several cities in Georgia. They did very good in their plan to control the South and they gained several loyalist support. By the end of Spring 1779, the British placed a royal govenor in control of Georgia. -
Britains Greatest Victory
The British started to dominate in the South. They had a lot of victories and controlled many cities. In 1780, General Henry Clinton and General Charles Cornwallis were able to sail an army of 8,500 men and capture Charles Town, South Carolina. -
Off to March!!
After several victories in the South. Especially the big capture of Charles Town, South Carolina, The British pretty much dominated the South. They had so much power that they marched over 5,500 American Soldiers as Prisoners of war. -
Camden Goes to the British
The British had all they needed. They had the Loyalist support and pretty much complete control in the South. But they still wanted more. In August of 1780, General Cornwallis practically destroyed the Americans and took over Camden, South Carolina. -
A Surprising Victory
Under the command of Nathanael Greene, the Continental Amry was able to smash the British at Cowpens, South Carolina. They fought hard and forced the British army, under the command of Daniel Morgan, to retreat. -
An Angry Cornwallis
The British were forced to surrender at Cowpens and this angered General Cornwallis. He decided to take matters into his own hands. He attacked Greene's troops at Guilford Court House, North Carolina. Even though he won the battle he lost several men and lots of supplies. -
Greene Needs Lafayette
Greene was able to weaken the British Army but the fight for the South was still a tough one. Greene needed some help therefore he wrote a letter to Lafayette asking for his help. -
Financial aid
The war proved to be very expensive for the Continental Congress. They started to print more and more paper money called continentals. This led to inflation and led to profiteering. These were big issues for America. Therefore in 1781, congress appointed Robert Morris as Superintendent of Finance. -
Salomon and Morris Get the Job Done
Robert Morris and his assistant Haym Solomon held several fundraisers, borrowed money and raised funds from many sources in efforts to get money. Their efforts paid off when they were able to pay the soldiers with gold coins. -
Victory at Yorktown
The whole Continental Army united with the French and and completely surrounded the British at Yorktown. They blocked the entrance to the Chesapeake bay and surrounded them on land. They fired all day and all night just bombarding them. The Battle lasted a week until General Cornwallis surrender on October 17, 1781. -
Triumphant Washington
On October 19, 1781 it became official. The Americans had won. Both troops got together to accept the British Surrender. General Charles O'Hara represented Cornwallis and handed over his sword to Washington. The British Soldiers dropped their weapons and Washington accepted his victory. -
Peace Talks Start
Representatives from The U.S, Great Britain, France, and Spain got together in Paris 1782 to start to talk about Peace. The Representatives for America was John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay. -
Treaty of Paris
The war officially came to an end with the Signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. The treaty recognized Americas full independence and gave them the land from the Atlantic to the Mississippi River and from the Canadian Border to the Florida Border. America was finally a new nation.
You are not authorized to access this page.
