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Major Battles
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Battle of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord signaled the start of the American Revolutionary War. The colonists desire for freedom helped them keep fighting in this battle and show the British that they were not tolerated in America. The colonists proved themselves and showed that they could stand up to the largest and best military in the world. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
While only a handful of Americans died in the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Americans did significant damage to the British and caused many casualties. The battle was a significant morale-builder for the inexperienced Americans, convincing them that patriotic dedication could overcome superior British military might. Also, the British now had the thought in their heads that the fight against the Americans would not be so easy. -
Battle of Trenton
George Washington crosses the Delaware River during the night to capture Princeton from the British when the were least expecting it. The Americans went victorious and greatly improved the morale and unity of the colonial army and militias. Washington had shown that he could unite soldiers from all the colonies into an effective national force. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga included two crucial battles, fought eighteen days apart, and was a decisive victory for the Continental Army and a crucial turning point in the Revolutionary War. The Continental Army won a decisive victory at the Battle of Saratoga by cutting off supply routes and decimating Burgoyne’s troops. This gave the Patriots a major morale boost and helped them gain allies. -
Battle of Yorktown
The outcome of the Battle of Yorktown marked the end of the last major battle of the American Revolution and the start of a new nation's independence. British General Lord Charles Cornwallis and his army surrendered to General George Washington’s American force and its French allies at the Battle of Yorktown on October 19, 1781. The demoralizing loss at Yorktown lost the British’s will to continue to fight the Americans. This led to the the end of the Revolutionary War.
