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Lexington and Concord
First battles of the American Revolution, known as the "shot heard round' the world". Results in a Colonial victory -
2nd continental congress
Conventioin of delegates from the thirteen colonies in philadelphia that discussed important decisions thoughout the revolution. Eventually drafted the Decloration pf Independence -
Bunker Hill
This battle was a significant shift in confidence for the Americans, even though the British won the battle. This showed the crown that the Colonial army would not be easily defeated. -
Decloration of Independance
Announced the thirteen colonies as independent from England. -
Battle of Long Island
British forces surronded colonial army, however due to heavy fog and bad weather the colonial army retreated to Manhatten. Gave Birtish control of New York, was alomst the end of the war for the colonial army. -
Battle of Trenton
Suprise attack on British army led by General Washington on Christmas night. Forced 1000 Hessian soldiers to surrender near the Delaware river. -
Battles of Saratoga
General Burgoyne and General Howe led the attacks. Burgoyne led a three pronged attack while Howe attacked the continental congress. American troops forced Burgoyne to surrender at Saratoga. -
Articles of Confederation
served as the first constitution for the United States of America -
Valley Forge
Camp for Washingtons Colonial army. Devastating winter for the colonial army lost 3,000 to starvation or freezing, and another 1,000 just left. -
Treaty of Alliance
After the Americans defeated the British at the Battles of Saratoga, the French agreed to aid the war effort. In Exchange for their service the French recieved the land in the West Indies. -
Philipsburg Proclamation
A proclomation issued by Sir Henry Clinton that granted freedom to any slaves who ran away and got behind British lines. New strategy by British becuase they realized they were losing the. -
Change of Command
Due to Clintons surrender in South Carolina, Lord Charles Cornwallis took over the British army -
Change of Command
Horacio Gates was defeated in Camden by General Cornwallis. Washington then appointed Nathaniel Greene as commander to recapture the Carolinas -
Battle of Guilford Court House
Nathaniel Greene and the colonial army attacked General Cornwallis at Guilford Court House. British suffered large amounts of casualties. -
Ratification of Articles of Confederation
The fromal ratification by all 13 states, provided the ability to deal with Native American realtions and diplomacy with Europe -
Battle of Yorktown
Rumors swirled that General Washington was preparing to invade New York, instead he attacked General Cornwallis at Yorktown. Catching Cornwallis by suprise, Washington launched an all out assault that forced the British to surrender. This was the end of the Revolutionary War -
Treaty of Paris
Formaly ended the war, forced British to recognize America as an independent nation, and give up all land claims south of the Great Lakes and east of the Misissippi -
Treaty of Versailles
signed at the same time as Treaty of Paris, Britain made peace with France and Spain, Spain gained back Florida, and France recieved land in the West Indies -
Philadelphia Convention
Addressed the problems with the Articles of Confederation. Wanted to create a new government rather than fix the old one, George Washington elected as leader. -
US Constitution signed
Members of the Constitutional Convention signed the Us Constitution, and after many months of debate and changes it was submitted to the states for ratification -
The Federalist Papers
A collection of 85 articles written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay. Stressed the importance of a large republic ruled by majority rule -
Ratification of the Constitution
9 out of the 13 states ratify the constitution drafted in 1787. This officially makes the Constitution part of the United States government.
