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Spark-Lexington and Concord
(CLICK ME) #colonistSWAGThe British, not realizing the colonists' determination, wanted to take the stash of gunpowder and weapons hidden in the colonies Paul Revere was able to notify the Minutemen, the colonies' militia, just in time. The two sides met in Lexington, where 8 colonists died, and no British. Nobody knows who fired first, but it was known as the "shot heard 'round the world". The British marched on to Concord, where they were met by even more Minutemen, and were forced to retreat. -
First Battle-Bunker Hill
(CLICK ME) #standdowncolonistsThe Patriots were definding Bunker Hill and Breed's Hill, which overlooked Boston, so they could fire at ships in the Boston Harbor. While the Patriots were building trenches on Breed's Hill, the British attacked in three charges. The colonists, led by General William Howe, were low on gunpowder, so the were told, “Don‟t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes!” After the death of 500 Americans, INCLUDING Dr. Joseph Warren, and 1,000 redcoats, the British took control of the two hills. -
Turning Point-Saratoga
(CLICK ME) #can'tholdusBritish General Burgoyne led his troops on a slow march to Albany, New York, seeing as they had to transport so many supplies, and Americans everywhere were trying to block their path. They easily recaptured Fort Ticonderoga, but lost many men in Vermont. Finally, General Gates (Patriot) surrounded Burgoyne's troops at Saratoga, New York, forcing him to surrender his whole army. This ended the threat on New England, and convinced the Spanish and French to help the Patriots. -
Low Point-Valley Forge
(CLICK ME) #shoutouttoourfrenchpeepsWashington led his men to Valley Forge in Pennsylvania. The severe winter caused the troops to starve and desperately need warm clothes, since Americans had sold all their cold winter materials to the British. Lafayette, one of the richest men in France, helped buy the men warm clothes to get them through the cold, while Martha Washington helped the sick/wounded. As more Americans learned of the brutal conditions their troops were facing, they made the effort to send more supplies. -
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Low Point-Valley Forge
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Government-Articles of Confederation
(CLICK ME) #arentweforgettingsomethingThis was the first constitution that united the country into one central government. The Albany Plan had failed earlier because everyone was too afraid of losing power to a big government. After the Continental Congress, many realized how much more powerful the states were together, and looked at Ben Franklin's draft of the Articles. These formed a weak government, because they left many issues unsolved, and were only put into place so soon because they were in desperate need of a government. -
Last-Yorktown
(CLICK ME) #wearenevereverevergettingbacktogetherCornwallis, a British general, moved his troops to Yorktown, Virginia to wait for British ships that would never arrive. Little did he know that he'd just walked into a trap. Washington's army and the French Army combined gave the Continental Army a total of 16,000 men. This jumbo militia moved in to corner Cornwallis and his men, forcing Cornwallis' second in command to surrender, three weeks later (Cornwallis was too "ill"). The British were forced to acknowledge America's independence. -
Resolution-Treaty of Paris of 1783
(CLICK ME) #itsnotovertilthefatmansignsU.S. and Great Britain signed a treaty in Paris, France, in which Britain had to recognize the U.S. as its own nation, and had to give up all of their land on the east coast. The U.S. had to give back all property and rights to the Loyalists. Although the war had ended, the U.S. learned of the "High Price of Freedom" because of the alarming amount of lives the war had cost them. The treaty was negotiated by David Hartley, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay, and ratified 7 months later.
