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Battles of Lexington and Concord
"The shot heard around the world." British occupiers of Boston were fed up with the growing rebel movement and decided to seize rebel munitions and other supplies that were known to be stored at Concord. The rebels became aware of this and moved the supplies. The British were met with the rebel militia at Lexington on the way to Concord for the rebel supplies when the first shot was fired. The British pushed the militia back to Concord but were then met with heavy fire at Concord and retreated. -
Seizure of Fort Ticonderoga
Captured by "Green Mountain Boys" and other militia in a surprise attack. Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen were among the commanders that ordered the siege. Cannons and other weapons captured here from the British were used for the rebel cause. -
Second Continental Congress
This takes place in Philadelphia, responsible for organizing a formal colonial army led by George Washington and making a formal declaration of war against Britain. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Successful attempt by the British in driving the Americans off of Breed's Hill. The Americans fought off the British for a long while due to the British tactic of marching in lines-making an easy target for the Americans. The Americans eventually fell back due to low ammunition. -
Failure to Seize Quebec
American Forces under command of Benedict Arnold fail to capture the city of Quebec. Defeat was accompanied by heavy lossess, Richard Montgomery was killed, Benedict Arnold was wounded. -
General Richard Montgomery takes Montreal
Montgomery and his men take Montreal, Canada without opposition. -
Burning of Norfolk
Burned by own citizens to deny utilization of town by the British. Burned Norfolk to the ground, was the last significant location of British authority in Virginia. -
Common Sense Published
Thomas Paine's Common Sense was a pamphlet written to inspire people in America to fight for independence from Great Britain. -
British Evacuate Boston
British Forces and loyalists flee Boston, have to wait for favorable weather conditions before shipping out the fleet to Halifax. -
Congress Adopts Declaration of Independence
The declaration declared that the American 13 Colonies were sovereign states and no longer part of the British Empire. Thomas Jefferson wrote the declaration with the help of the committee of five, and later signed by 56 delegates. -
Battle of Long Island
AKA Battle of Brooklyn, significant defeat for Goerge Washington who was forced to retreat following the Battle. Gave British control of New York, was the the first battle to take place after the Declaration of Independence. -
Capture of Trenton
Washington crosses the Delaware River during the winter after staying in Valley Forge and captures Trenton from Hessian soldiers in a surprise attack. -
Battle of Princeton
George Washington defeats British Forces in Princeton, New Jersey. Cornwallis placed his troops in Princeton to face Washington following Washington's victory at Trenton. -
Battle of Ridgefield
Benedict Arnold and troops force British Forces to retreat Ridgefield. After British Forces destroyed rebel supplies, 700 troops rallied to harass the British on their way back to the coast. -
Surrender of Fort Ticonderoga
After being overwhelmed by British cannon fire from high ground, and surrounded by 700 British and Hessian Forces, General St. Clair orders Fort abandoned, and loses his command after this defeat. -
Howe Seizes Philadelphia
After Washington was flankedand beaten in the battle of Brandywine, Howe manuevered his men to enter Philadelphia. Philadelphia (at this time the capital) was occupied, and continental congress forced to go to countryside. This was though to bring an end to the war. -
Burgoyne surrenders to Gates at Saratoga
Following series of skirmishes known as the Saratoga campaign, the Americans were victorious over the British in Saratoga (Stillwater), New York. This was considered the turning point in the war and allowed for the Alliance to be forged between the Americans and the French. -
French Alliance Formalized
An Alliance between the Americans and the French is finalized and formalized through the Treaty of Alliance which supplied support to the Americans by the French in agreement designed to be mutually benefical to both sides. -
Henry Clinton replaces General Howe
Howe resigned as Commander-in-Chief for North America after the 1777 campaigns. Clinton was not able to take command until May 1778 due to the amount of time required to recieve orders from England to the Colonies. -
Battle of Rhode Island
Was the first battle that took advantage of French and American military cooperation. French ships and French soldiers in Rhode Island forced the hand of the British. -
Taxation of Colonies Act
Repealed Tea tax and others placed on the colonies in an attempt to end the war. The war did not end, the American Revolution was already too far into fighting. -
Spain declares War on Great Britain
Following French support from the Treaty of Alliance, the English formally declare war on French. The Spanish then join the American revolution indirectly due to helping the French out of necessity from another treaty. -
Philipsburg Proclamation
Henry Clinton issues proclamation gratning freedom for slaves that leave American masters in the south fleeing to the British lines. -
Siege of Charleston
British began focus on southern Colonies with thoughts of being able to starve off the north, and cut trade in the south. Charleston eventually taken after surrender of General Benjamin Lincoln. -
Washington Names Greene Commander of the Southern Army
Greene is sent to the south to retake the Carolinas. Greene was a quaker-merchant who had originally been tasked with outfitting the American troops. -
Articles of Confederation Adopted
First constitution, served as the declaration of confederation of 13 sovereign American States. Increased legitimacy of Continental Congress. -
Cornwallis Surrenders at Yorktown
Last major battle of the revolutionary war. After heavy cannon shelling, Washington sent men in to cripple defenses of the redoubts. Cornwallis is forced to surrender, but surrenders through a second in command. -
Lord North Resigns
Lord North resigns as Prime Minister. He is the first prime minister to be forced out of office in a vote of no confidence. He was responsible for the failed Concilation Plan that would cease all disagreeable acts to the colonies. -
British Evacuate Ssavannah
Alured Clarke brought entire British Garrison out of Savannah following flag of truce. -
British and Americans sign preliminary Articles of Peace
Fighting for all intents and purposes ends 1781, but due to inability to declare peace without French and Spanish, Americans have to resort to peace talks with England in secrecy. -
Treaty of Paris
Fighting between the English and Americans is ended. The English give up claims of 13 colonies and declare 13 colonies sovereign. French and Spanish portion of war ended at Treaty of Versailles later on. -
Washington resigns as Commander
Washington demobilizes troops and retires. -
U.S Constitution Signed
Signed by most delegates at Independence Hall. -
U.S Constiution Ratified
Later "commenced" in 1789, ratified at the time after New Hampshire ratifies the constitution. -
Bill of Rights
First 10 amendements of U.S Constitution. Quelled fears of anti-federalists who opposed consitutional ratification, introduce seperation o pfowers, gurantees personal freedoms, etc.
