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Attack and Retreat off New York
In June 1776, a large British fleet arrived in New York, with Sir William Howe as their commander. Washington expected Howe's attack. But Washington's army was no match for the British. Howe had about 34,000 well-trained troops and 10,000 sailors, with ships to ferry them ashore. Washington had fewer than 20,000 troops and no navy. That summer was full of many long battles and American retreats. The British followed the Americans north to White Plains, then west and south across New Jersey. -
The Declaration of Independence
When the year 1776 began many colonists called for independence. In January 1776 Thomas Paine published a 50-page pamphlet, it was called Common Sense.The pamphlet supported independence. The Declaration of Independence is a brilliant piece of writing that explains why the colonists wanted to break away from British rule. Congress was still not sure they would declare independence. But on July.4,1776, they approved it. Since then, Americans have celebrated July 4 as Independence Day. -
Saratoga: A major turning point in the war
British General John Burgoyne came up with a plan to cut off New England from the rest of the states to end the rebellion. Burgoyne's plan called for British forces to drive toward Albany, New York, from three different directions. Burgoyne led the main British force from Canada in June, slowly pushing south. When the British got there, they were surrounded by the Americans. After suffering heavy injuries, Burgoyne surrendered on October 17, 1777. This was a major turning point in the war. -
The Most Famous Naval Battle
This battle happened off the coast of England in 1779. The American ship Bonhomme Richard, under the command of John Paul Jones, fought side by side with the larger British warship Serapis. Cannon and musket fire ripped the sails of both ships to shreds and blasted holes in their wooden sides. Though his ship was in pieces, Jones refused to give up. "I have not yet begun to fight," he vowed. Finally with dozens of sailors dead, on both sides, the captain of Serapis surrendered. -
The Final Battle
British commander, Lord Charles Cornwallis, made a fateful mistake. He moved his main army to Yorktown peninsula, with Virginia land poking into Chesapeake Bay. He thought the British fleet could strengthen his position. But after the French had made an alliance with the U.S., they trapped the British. After three weeks, Cornwallis surrendered. The victory at Yorktown was the last major battle of the war. -
The Treaty of Paris
The news from Yorktown caused shockwaves in Britain. Although the king wanted to keep fighting, Parliament voted in favor of peace. The talks led to an agreement, the Treaty of Paris. Britain recognized the independence of the U.S. On April 15, 1783, Congress approved the treaty. The war was officially over. It had been almost exactly eight years since the "shot heard around the world" started the fighting at Lexington.
