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American Revolution
"The conflict arose from growing tensions between residents of Great Britain’s 13 North American colonies and the colonial government, which represented the British crown. Fights between British troops and colonial militiamen in April 1775 kicked off the war. France entered the American Revolution, turning what had been a civil war into an international conflict. After French assistance helped the Continental Army force the British surrender in 1781, the Americans had won their independence." -
Creation of the Continental Congress
The Continental Congress served as the government for the original thirteen colonies and the United States for a while. Delegates from each of the thirteen colonies (except Georgia) got together originally to battle the Coercive Acts. -
Paul Revere's Ride
On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere was told to ride to Lexington, Massachusetts, to deliver news that troops were going to march into the countryside of northwest Boston. After barely avoiding capture, he was able to give the news to everyone in Lexington. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the start of the Revolutionary War, and they were fought on April 4, 1775. Hundreds of British troops marched from Boston to Concord in order to seize an arms cache. Paul Revere and other riders sounded the alarm, and colonial militiamen went to stop them. A confrontation in Lexington started the fighting, and soon the British were retreating under intense fire. There were many battles after this. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
On June 17, 1775, the British were able to defeat the Americans at the Battle of Bunker Hill in Massachusetts. Although the Americans didn't win, they inflicted major casualties against the British, and the battle gave them a confidence boost. -
Creation of the Declaration of Independence
The Revolutionary War was now an official war, and the movement for independence from Britain had increased, and delegates of the Continental Congress were faced to vote on the issue. In mid-June of 1776, five men (including Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin) were tasked with drafting a "formal statement of the colonies’ intentions." The Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence. -
Battle of Trenton
Washington and his army crossed the ice-covered Delaware River on Christmas Day to ambush the enemy after a long night of partying and celebrating. Washington and his troops defeated an army of Hessian troops. -
Battles of Saratoga
The Battles of Saratoga took place between September 19, 1777 and October 7, 1777. -
Winter at Valley Forge
Valley Forge was where Washington took his troops during the winter of 1777. It was there that his men were re-trained, and were given harsher punishments. His troops were cold, hungry, and tired, but kept fighting. -
Battle of Princeton
Washington sent a small number of troops, under command from General Hugh Mercer, to destroy a bridge. Mercer’s men encountered Redcoats, commanded by Lt. Col. Charles Mawhood, and Mercer was killed in the fighting. Arriving militiamen under Col. Cadwalader gave little help. Then Washington arrived, riding between the firing lines until his horse got too scared and refused to keep going. But, the Americans kept going and fought through Mercer’s lines. -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown took place between September 28, 1781 and October 19, 1781. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was negotiated between the United States and Great Britain. It ended the revolutionary war, and gave America independence. The Continental Congress named a five-member commission to negotiate a treaty, but only three came due to various reasons. They were John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay. -
Works Cited
http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/the-continental-congress | https://www.paulreverehouse.org/the-real-story/ | http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battles-of-lexington-and-concord | http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-bunker-hill | http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/declaration-of-independence | http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battles-of-trenton-and-princeton -
