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Muskets were introduced
The most common Revolutionary weapon was the flintlock musket, commonly known as the Brown Bess, and was first used in 1768. The Muskets were muzzle loaded with a single shot or grape shot (multiple balls), fired from the shoulder. They had a short range and was not very accurate and used by infantry. The Revolutionary War muskets were commonly equipped with bayonets, and only about 20% of the lead fired from one army to another, hit the target. -
Tea Act
Is considered the final spark to the revolutionary movement. Its purpose was to prop up the East India Company which had imense financial burdens.This Act eventually led to the Boston Tea party. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The tension between the colonies and Britain came to a boiling point and with the "Shot heard Round the World", the first military engagement of the War began. -
Give me Liberty or Give me Death
Patrick Henry proclaims "Give me liberty or give me death" in speech in favour of Virginia troops joining US Revolutionary war. The speech was given at the Virginia Convention, at St. John's Church in Richmond. Many believe that this was the final step in convinceing the Virginia House of Burgesses to pass a resolution, sending the Virginia troops to the Revolutionary War. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were in the convention. -
Fortifications were introduced
The Second Continental Congress authorized fortifications which were mounds of dirt and fences. Colonists were able to fire at the British from behind these fortifications. The engineers responsible for building them proved so valuable to the Revolutionary forces that, four years later, Congress formed the "corps of engineers." The engineers enjoyed the same rights, honors, and privileges as other troops, but were in charge of all kinds of construction projects that benefited the war. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill: British Victory Shaped the early course of the war by proving that there was no going back and that the war would be a long one.
2,200 British forces advanced in columns in Breed's hills against the Americans, Samuel Prescott (Massachusetts Patriot) told his men “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” in an effort to save the Americans’ limited supply of ammunition. As the Redcoats came closer, the Americans fired, throwing the British into retreat. After re-forming their lines, the British attacked again. The outnumbered americans ran out of resources and were forced to retreat. -
Thomas Paine - Common Sense
"Common Sense" Pamphlet by Thomas Paine was published advocating American independence. It explained the advantages of and the need for immediate independence. It was published anonymously and became an immediate sensation. It gave American colonists a strong argument for freedom from British rule. -
John Adams
He was a founding Founding Father, and the second president.
http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/john-adams/videos/president-john-adams -
Virgina Declaration of Rights
"Virginia’s Declaration of Rights proclaimed that the power of all government derives from the people and that all persons in government are the people’s servants, not their rulers." It became the template for the America’s Bill of Rights around a decade later. -
Virginia Consitution
The Commonwealth of Virginia defined the limit of powers for the state government and the basic rights of the citizens. Virginia was the first state to adopt its own constitution, and it was influential both within the other colonies and around the world. Virginia was the first in the world to have a functioning republican constitution. -
Bayonets were introdueced
On February 23, 1777, General Washington made Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, known as the Baron von Steuben,Acting Inspector. He spent his time training, disciplining, and reorganizing the army. This is when Bayonets were introduced. Von Steuben taught Washington's troops how to maneuver in the field and how to use them properly. The bayonet is a swordlike stabbing metal blade that may be fixed to the muzzle of a musket or rifle for use in hand-to-hand fighting, and other purposes. -
The Battle of Saratoga: Most significant military turning point
The word Saratoga is shorthand for two battles that gave a big blow to the 1777 British invasion from Canada during the American Revolutionary War. The British army achieved a small victory over American forces led by Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold. However, Burgoyne attacked the Americans again at Bemis Heights on October 7th, but this time was defeated and forced to retreat. The American victory convinced the French government to openly join the conflict. -
France recognizes independence of British colonies
France recognizes independence of British colonies in America -
George Washtington
he was a leader of the Continental Army in the American Revolution, and was the first to become U.S. president. -
Marquis de Lafayette: spent his time and money to help the Americans.
The French decided to back the U.S. in its military efforts. France aided the colonists by providing military weapons/equipment and loans. France sent an estimated 12,000 soldiers and 32,000 sailors to the American war effort, the most famous of whom was the Marquis de Lafayette. He was born on September 6, 1757 in Auvergne, France. He was a French general who played an important part during the Revolutionary War. He became a good friend of George Washington during the process. -
Treaty of Alliance
It was between France and the Colonies. It was ratified by Congress May 4, 1778. The treaty called for a defensive alliance to aid France if England attacked, and also that neither France nor the colonies would make peace with England until the independence of the colonies was recognized. -
The Battle of Rhode Island: showed that alliance with France would not bring a speedy end to the war.
The Battle of Rhode Island began on August 9, 1778, when 11,000 Continental line troops and militia crossed Howland’s Ferry in preparation for an attack on the British in that state. They prepared for battle, but a hurricane (August 13-14) scattered the ships and severely damaged both fleets. The French sailed to Boston for repairs, leaving the Americans without naval back-up. They were forced to withdraw, because they couldn't battle without the French. -
Seige of Gibrarltar
Spain declared war on Great Britain in support of the US, and the siege of Gibraltar begins. However, it was unsuccessful attempt by France and Spain to capture British Gibraltar. It was the longest siege endured by the British Armed Forces. -
The Battle of Cowpens: the turning point of the war in the South
It took place in the latter part of the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution and of the Revolution itself. The Cowpens victory was won over a crack British regular army and brought together strong armies and leaders who made their mark on history. This sudden defeat of a substantial British force stopped British offensive momentum in the south and rrenewed the spirits of American forces, initiating the campaign that brought the war to an end. -
The Battle of Yorktown: the Americans were now on a positive path!
After the battle of Cowpens, The British Army under General Charles Cornwallis was retreating to Yorktown, General George Washington was marching his army down from the north. The French Navy started to move towards Yorktown as well. The British Army was now surrounded at Yorktown. They were greatly outnumbered by the French and American troops. For many days the American forces bombarded the British. Finally, Charles Cornwallis sent out the white flag for surrender. -
General Cornwallis signed the British surrender
On October 19, 1781 General Cornwallis signed the British surrender. The document was called the Articles of Capitulation. After this, the Americans were officially independent of Britain and set about establishing their own government.
