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Olive Branch Petition Sent
Continental Congress wanted to ask King George III to peacefully end the conflict and recognize colonists’ rights. However, King George III learned that at the same time they asked for peace, colonists were stockpiling weapons to use against the soldiers. He rejects their petition. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
Though they forced Patriots to retreat, colonists had time to move much of the supplies and injured or killed many British soldiers on their march back to Boston. -
Second Continental Congress Meets
Continental Army was created and George Washington was chosen to lead, partially because he was from Virginia, a Southern colony. -
Capture of Ft. Ticonderoga
Let by Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys, along with Patriot leader Benedict Arnold, the fort and all its weapons were easily captured ; the cannons were brought to Boston. -
Battle of Bunker (Breed’s) Hill
British “won” the battle by driving the Patriots from the hill, but British army suffered many casualties in the process, giving colonists confidence -
Washington arrives in Massachusetts
Washington discovers his army is a bunch of untrained, undisciplined militia, not professional soldiers -
Common Sense is published
Thomas Paine felt it was obvious that colonies should be an independent nation, free to rule itself. 500,000 copies of this 43 page booklet are sold, convincing many colonists to join the Patriot side. -
British are Forced Out of Boston
Using the cannons captured at Ft. Ticonderoga, the Patriots were able to make the British forces leave. Now, Washington was afraid the British army would head to New York City to capture it; he rushes his troops there to set up defenses. -
Spain and France pledge support
Colonists need support from other countries to be able to carry out their conflict with British army. As a result of France and Spain's financial support, clonists now hac more money to be able to pay for troops and supplies. -
Jefferson appointed to write Declaration of Independence
Continental Congress decided they needed to declare their independence, but they needed a highly skilled person to write it. Jefferson was chosen. He wrestles with issues of slavery in the colonies and wrote the Declaration listing colonists’ inalienable rights, their reasons for declaring independence, and his views on government. Slavery issue is delayed. -
Declaration of Independence is ratified
Delegates from throughout the colonies needed to show their support for independence. News spread quickly, motivating many colonists to become Patriots. In response, Britain sent an enormous fleet of warships and soldiers to New York. -
Battle of Long Island
Washington and his troops are outmanned, outgunned, and outmaneuvered, resulting in many Patriot casualties and retreat in panic. Washington and his survivors are lucky to escape in morning fog. Continental Army morale drops. -
Congress leaves Philadelphia
The delegates were afraid they’d be attacked or captured in Philadelphia. Like the soldiers often are, the temporary colonial government is on the run. They plan to regather in Baltimore, Maryland. -
Battle of Trenton
Patriot soldiers’ morale is low; they are about to leave the army. Washington’s surprise attack on Hessians works. Patriots win, morale increases, and soldiers reenlist.