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Battle of Lexington
First battle of the Revolutionary War, British soldiers were approached by an American militia and shots were fired, resulting in a British victory. -
Battle of Concord
Battle between militiamen and recoats searching for American supplies, first American victory. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Redcoats began a seige of Boston and attempted to take Breeds Hill on the peninsula. American militiamen held their ground before running out of supplies, increasing morale because of their prowess against what was seen as a superior army. -
Olive Branch Petition
Final attempt by the American patriots to retain peace, denied by the British and resulting in the formation of the Declaration of Independence. -
Battle of Quebec
American attempt led by Benedict Arnold to take British Canada, failed mainly due to supply line shortages due to distance. -
Declaration of Indepence
Culmination of the Second Continental Congress, written by Thomas Jefferson and making clear America's intention to create its own independent nation. -
Battle of Long Island
American soldiers led by George Washington were defeated by British troops landing in New York led by Charles Cornwallis, splitting the colonies in half and forcing Washington into retreat. -
Battle of Trenton
American forces under Washington launch a surprise attack at British encampments on the Trenton, capturing many of the Hessian mercenaries hired by the British. -
Battle of Germantown
American attempt by George Washington to take back Philadeplhia by Cornwallis' control, was repulsed with heavy casualties. -
Battle of Saratoga
Important American victory by Benedict Arnold over John Burgoyne, major change in tide in the war. -
Articles of Confederation
Initial guideline for governance of America once independent. Deemed inefficient as it constricted federal control beyond the necessary means for governance. -
Treaty of Alliance
Treaty between America and France affirming an alliance between the two, later leading to Spanish and Dutch involvement in the war as well, all important for the American victory in the war due to the naval competency it offered. -
Clinton Replaces Howe in Command
Henry Clinton replaces General Howe as Commander-in-Chief of British forces after Howe resigned over British policy. -
Carlisle Peace Commission
Formal British offer of peace led by Lord Carlisle, rejected by American congress unless full independence was granted. -
Battle of Monmouth
Large battle fought between Washington and Henry Clinton over a baggage train that resulted in an American tactical victory but strategic draw. -
Capture of Savannah
The beginning of a southern front by the British, in an attempt to surprise the Americans from the south and destroy their food supply. -
Siege of Charleston
American defeat at the hands of Clinton and the British, enabled near complete British control of the southern colonies. -
Battle of Camden
Major British victory by Cornwallis over Horatio Gates, prompted appointment of Greene in the southern theater. -
Battle of King's Mountain
Turning point in the southern theater, American troops defeat British on the border of the Carolinas, prompting Cornwallis to immediately pursue the army of Nathanael Greene in an attempt to hedge bets and destroy the army. -
Nathanael Greene Appointed Leader of South
Washington appoints former quartermaster Nathanael Greene as commander of the Patriots' southern armies, who then begins to continue the reconquest of lost territory in the Carolinas. -
Battle of Cowpens
Destruction of the remainder of Tarleton's army by Daniel Morgan, crushing blow to the British southern front. -
Battle of Guilford Courthouse
Battle between Cornwallis and Greene which resulted in a British phyrric victory, necessitating a replenishment of supplies at Yorktown by the British. -
Battle of Yorktown
Final American victory, facilitated by the French navy's arrival and a combination of Washington's forces with Greene's outside of Cornwallis' encampments. After a short seige, Cornwallis surrendered! Yay! -
Treaty of Paris
Officially ended hostilities between the United Kingdom and United States of America, negotiated in secret from other American allies who wished to continue the war. -
Annapolis Convention
The Annapolis Convention created a report detailing the failures of the Articles of Confederation, leading for the creation of the current US Constitution. -
Ratification of US Constitution
11 of the 13 states ratify the US Constitution, which includes a Bill of Rights and a more centralized government structure than the former Articles of Confederation. Delaware and Pennsylvania followed ratification on December 7th and December 12th, respectively.
