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Britain Prepares for War.
England hired 10,000 German mercenaries to prep for the war in North America. Americans called them ‘hessians’ because of the area were most of them came from. They fought in almost every battle of the Revolutionary War. -
Britain Sends Troops
Britain sent 32,000 troops to New York to crush the Patriots through out the summer. General William Howe hope the sheer size of his army would convince the Patriots to give up, but he was disappointed. -
Declaration of Independence Signed
Thomas Jefferson finished the first draft of the Declaration of Independence on July 2, 1776. The document was then signed two days latter at Pennsylvania State House. -
Washington crosses the Delaware
Washington hoped to surprise the British at Trenton with 2,400 troops under his command. The British were not expecting an attact on Christmas eve, so Washington didn't even have to fire a shot. The success at Trenton gave the Americans new hope and saved the fight. -
Battle of Saratoga
General Burgoyne (Britian) surrendered to General Horatio Gates after he surrounded him at Saratoga. Other Patriots forces stopped reinforcements from arriving, but that didn't stop Burgoyne from trying to fight. The fighting continued for 10 more days befor he finaly surrendered. -
Act of Congress prohibits import of slaves
During the war, congress prohibited importing of slaves into the U.S., but people still did. -
(Over the year) 1778- Rhode Island raised an all-African American regiment
Even though Congress said they couldn't, Rhode Island raised an all-African American riganent because of a sortage of troops. -
June 21, 1779- Spain declares war on Britain
Spain had been helping America in secret, but after they decided that America had a chance in the war, they openly supported them. -
British forces capture Charles Town, South Carolina
After about six weeks of siege, Continental Army Major General Benjamin Lincon surrendered his forces to the British. -
October 19, 1781- British Surrender at Yorktown
On October 19, 1781, General Cornwallas surrendered at Yorktown, finaly convincing the British that the war was to costly to continue.