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Benjamin Franklin sent to Paris as unnoficial liason.
The French initially resisted a formal compact with the upstart patriots. Only after the patriot victory at Saratoga in October 1777 did the French king agree to an alliance. -
1776-July, General washington fails to defend New York as many soldiers deserted
but many soldiers deserted believing New Yorkers should defend New York. Ultimately, Washington arrived in New York with 19,000 men, many of whom were poorly armed and poorly trained and some of whom were coerced into service by local committees of safety. -
Women contribute to war. They disguise themselves as men and enlist as soldiersrs. They also take on men's jobs.
housewives raided stores and warehouses and took the supplies they needed. Others learned as much as they could about finances, submitting reports to local officials when their family properties were damaged or looted -
British wound or kill over 1500 patriots in battle of Long Island
Meanwhile, British ships sailed into New York harbor or anchored off the coast of Long Island. General William Howe, hoping to overwhelm the colonists, ordered 10,000 troops to march into the city -
Washingtons troops attack trenton and emerge victorious.
On Christmas Eve, Washington’s troops crossed the river to attack(battle was agreed on to not take place during winter yet Washingtons fought anyway) -
France officially alies with the Colonies.
The French initially resisted a formal compact with the upstart patriots. Only after the patriot victory at Saratoga in October 1777 did the French king agree to an alliance. -
Patriots march on Princeton, securing second victory
Caused Britain to retreat to New York -
Washington troops devastated by smallpox, leaving then with less than 5000 men
By mid-January 1777, the tide began to turn in favor of the Continental Army, but victory was far from certain. -
Battle of Yorktown. British admit defeat.
In August 1781, frustrated at the large amount of local support patriots carried in the South, Cornwallis hunkered down in Yorktown on the Virginia coast and waited for reinforcements from New York. In response, Washington coordinated strategy with French allies to cut off Cornwallis’s escape. -
Treaty of Paris Signed by the United States and Britain. Ending the American Revolution.
Eventually U.S. delegates finalized a treaty that secured substantial benefits for the young nation. Its terms granted the United States control of all lands south of Canada and north of Louisiana and Florida stretching to the Mississippi River. In addition, the treaty recognized the United States to be “free Sovereign and independent states.”