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Orders to seize weapons
General Thomas Gage found out that the colonists were stockpiling weapons , so he ordered troops to march from Boston to Concord to seize them. -
Paul Revere and others spread the word of the invasion soon to come
Paul Revere,William Dawes, & Samuel Prescott rode out to spread the word of the 700 troops headed for Concord. -
The invasion begins
The kings redcoats finaaly reached Concord, who were welcomed by 70 rebels. The rebels started their attack, but were shut down by the powerful British troops. This was the first official battle between the colonists and the British. -
Second Continetal Congress
The rebels' next move was being decided. There were disputes over an offical motive. It was decided that George Washington would be the commander of the colonists' army. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
Gage sends 2,400 troops up Bunker Hill. The colonists stood their ground and fought hard, but eventually retreated. Casualties were greater on the redcoat's side. -
Attempt At Peace
The Congress sent a formal letter to King George, proposing that they all return to a peaceful state. The proposal was rejected by the king. -
Second Invasion
The British sailed into New York with a force of about 32,000 soldiers of all types in an attempt to make the colonists surrender. Their attempt turned out to be a success due to the colonist's untrained soldiers. -
The Declaration of Independence
The Delaration was formally written by Thomas Jefferson, stating that the colonists were independent and that everyone had rights in which were appointed to them by God. It also states that these rights cannot be jepordized by anyone, not even the government. -
Washington's Offensive Strike
Washington sent about 2,400 of his soldiers across the treacherous Delaware River towards Trenton, New Jersey. -
Philadelphia Is Captured
The British regrouped after Washington's attack and soon captured the capital at Philadelphia. -
Burgoyne Surrenders at Saratoga
British general John Burgoyne fends off colonist troops. Fellow British troops were too occupied with Philadelphia so Burgoyne wasn't supported. He was eventually defeated by colonist troops. -
Improvements
Prussian captain Friedrich von Steuben and the Marquis de Lafayette offered friendly assistence in the war. -
Alliance
Realizing that the colonists could actually win the war, the French signed an allegiance with the Americans. -
Tensions
Colonists continued their battles against Charles Cornwallis and his troops. Cornwallis took the fight to Virginia and eventually captured Yorktown. -
Cornwallis Surrenders
Gneral John Cornwallis surrenders after being surrounded and put under heavy fire by about 17,000 French and American troops surrounding Yorktown. This ruined the general's plan to fortify Yorktown. -
The Treaty of Paris
John Adams, John Jay, and Benjamin Franklin proposed peace. This led to what is known as the Treaty of Paris. This was the conclusion of the war.