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Siege of Boston
The British Army fought against the the Massachusetts militia who became part of the Continental Army -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord indicated the begining of the American Revolution. The British Army departed from Boston in order to capture rebel leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock who were in Lexington as well as to destroy the American stockpil of weaponary in Concord. The colonists were warned famously, by riders including Paul Revere,of the impending danger. Sam Adams and John Hancock were able to escape and the loval military was able to hide many of the weapons. -
Siege of Fort Ticonderoga
On a lake in New York stood Fort Ticonderoga, a key point of access for Canada and the Hudson River Valley during the French and Indian War. Benedict Arnold, Ethan Allen and others attacked the fort at dawn, which surprised the sleeping British garrison who they soon attacked. Even though it was a small conflict, the Siege of Fort Ticonderoga was the first American victory in the Revolutionary War, -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The British were attempting to keep some form control over Boston because of its valuable sea ports. The British chose to take two hills, Bunker and Breeds, in an attempt to gain a tactical advantage. Once the American forces heard about this problem they continued to defend the hills. The British won the hill and the battle, but lost many soldiers and officers. This gave America hope. -
Battle of Quebec
American troops attacked a force made of British recruits and Canadian volunteers. The British and Canadian were able to drive off the American attack and ended the threat to the British control of Canada. -
Battle of Long Island
In order to protect New York City as well as the lower Hudson valley from the British forces which were massed on Staten Island, George Washington sent part of his small army to defend Brooklyn Heights, on Long Island. The British drove the Americans from Brooklyn and forced them to evacuate New York. -
Battle of Trenton
George Washington led the Continental Army across Delaware in order to surprise and eliminate the Hessian garrison in Trenton, New Jersey. This victory helped to preserve the Continental Army. -
Battle of Princeton
George Washington led American troops into the Battle of Princeton. Both the Americans and the British had cannons, and after several cannon shootings, one of the British leaders ordered his men to charge. The Americanswere lacking on weapons and supplies, so they retreated. After reinforcements arrived, General Washington led them back into battle and they won and the remaining British hiding in Nassau surrendered. -
Battle of Brandywine
George Washington's troops attempted to halt British troops under the rule of William Howe and Charles Cornwallis from reaching Philadelphia, which was the temporary American capital. Howe's 18,000 British troops outnumber and defeated the 11,000 Americans, who went back to Chester, which left Philadelphia dangerously exposed. The British occupied the capital before pressing on to Germantown. -
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Battle of Saratoga
These two battles convinced France to enter the war on the side of the Americans. A British General decided to take all of New York away from the Americans. At the battle the general surrendered almost his entire army to the Americans. The American victory convinced France that America held a chance of winning. Soon after wards the French supplies and troops headed to America. -
French Join the American Revolution
France believed joining the war was an incarnation of the Enlightenment Spirit. Benjamin Franklin popularized the Revolution in France, urging them to participate. The French supplied economic support and militia to America which was crucial in the war. -
Capture of Savannah
The American commander General Robert Howe of North Carolina, tried to defend Georgia with only 700 men. With troops in their rear, the American defense was broken. With the loss of well over 550 men, and all the artillery, Howe was forced to retire back to South Carolina. -
Siege of Charleston
Americans suffer their worst defeat of the revolution when Major General Benjamin Lincoln unconditionally surrenders to British Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton and his army of 10,000 at Charleston, South Carolina. -
Battle of Camden
British forces routed American troops. Even though the American troops outnumbered the British troops, their discipline was lacking. The American leader himself fled the field and never commanded another army. This victory was important because it solidified Britain's hold on South Carolina, a move made to try to split the American colonies in half, North and South. -
Battle of King's Mountain
This battle was an American victory that took place near the North Carolina-South Carolina border and destroyed one whole section of General Charles Cornwallis's army which forced him to retreat to South Carolina to wait for reinforcements. -
Battle of Cowpens
American forces met British forces near some cowpens in South Carolina and though they were outnumbered and unprepared, the Americans nonetheless won with a fierce bayonet charge that resulted in a mass surrender. -
Battle of Guildford Courthouse
British victory near a courthouse in North Carolina. Together with the American victory at Cowpens, the engagement at Guilford Courthouse weakened the British forces in the South. General Charles Cornwallis, the commander of the southern British forces, decided to abandon North and South Carolina and march to Virginia. -
Battle of Eautaw Springs
Battle of Eutaw Springs was fought near Charleston, South Carolina, between British troops and American forces. About 2,000 American troops, many ill-clad and barefoot, were slightly outnumbered. In the early fighting the British were more successful; on September 9, however, Stewart withdrew his forces to Charleston, where they remained until the end of the war. -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown was an American victory that ended the Revolutionary War. British General Charles Cornwallis met defeat in the south where his force had been continually weakened. The general waited for reinforcements but when none were able to arrice he chose to just fight until the Americans won the battle and the war. This was the last major battle of the war, although some minor skirmishes took place for the next two years, until the Treaty of Paris ended the war in 1783.
