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Battle of Lexington & Concord
The first battle of the Revolution. The heavily outnumbered militiamen were ordered to retreat after over 700 redcoats appeared on the site. As they were retreating, a shot rang out; a shot heard around the world; the first shot of a gruesome revolution. -
Battle of Fort Ticonderoga
The capture of Fort Ticonderoga was the first offensive victory for American forces in the Revolutionary War. It secured the strategic passageway north to Canada and yielded the patriots an important stockpile of artillery. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Despite their loss, the inexperienced colonial forces inflicted significant casualties against the enemy, and the battle provided them with an important confidence boost. -
Common Sense
A 47-page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that expresses the fact that freedom and independence should be "common sense" to the colonists. It outlined how the government was supposed to aid the people, but the British government was instead given too much power. -
Declaration of Independence
A "letter" to King George stating all of the reasons the colonists felt oppressed and the official document that declared America's independence from Britain. -
Battle of Long Island
Also known as the Battle of Brooklyn Heights, initiated the British campaign to seize control over New York. To defend, the American general, George Washington, stationed 1/3 of his troops throughout Long Island. America lost with 300 dead, 650 wounded, and 1,100 captured. https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Long-Island -
Washington Crosses the Delaware River
Washington crossed the Delaware River with his army to attack an isolated garrison of Hessian troops located in Trenton, New Jersey. The crossing was made worse by the arrival of a strong storm that brought freezing rain, snow, and terrifying winds. -
Battle of Trenton
After crossing the Delaware River in a treacherous storm, General George Washington’s army defeated a garrison of Hessian mercenaries at Trenton. The victory set the stage for another success at Princeton a week later and boosted the morale of the American troops. The Americans also managed to capture critical supplies, including food, ammunition, and clothing, in the process. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/trenton -
Battle of Princeton
Both sides stumbled into one another, and neither expected to fight on the ground where the battle raged. Washington personally led fresh troops onto the field while grapeshot and canister from an artillery battery forced the British back. Washington's counterattack broke the British line, which quickly turned into a rout. Further towards town, two smaller engagements also resulted in British retreat. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/princeton -
Battle of Saratoga
After a failed Canadian invasion left the Continental Army beaten, the British hoped to quash the rebellion. The British needed to take upstate New York and control the Hudson River. The British ordered three of their armies to merge in Albany, New York, but only one made the final push. Waiting for them was the fortified Northern Department of the Continental Army. America decimated British troops and cut off supply routes. https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-saratoga -
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Winter at Valley Forge
Only 20 miles from British-occupied Philadelphia, Valley Forge presented a strategic location that allowed Washington's army to stay close to the city while maintaining a defensible position that offered access to clean water and firewood. However, in spite of these advantages, Washington's army was ill-prepared for the encampment that would last six months. These lack of provisions created the infamously miserable conditions at Valley Forge. -
Treaty of Alliance (with France)
The French were defeated by the British with the help of the colonies in the Seven-Year War and lost North American territory. France supporting American independence was a way to get back to Britain without being involved in a direct war. America gained a valuable ally with a powerful military. http://www.benjamin-franklin-history.org/treaty-of-alliance-with-france/ -
Battle of Charleston
The British left New York City with a fleet of ninety troopships, fourteen warships, and more than 13,500 soldiers and sailors. They planned to rendezvous with a force and march overland to Charleston, South Carolina. Defending the city was a grossly outnumbered American army. By April, the combined British forces had successfully trapped the Americans in the beleaguered city. Americans surrender. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/charleston -
Battle of Springfield
British forces attempted an invasion of New Jersey in the spring, speculating that local residents, fatigued by the war, would welcome them. They intended to capture the strategic Hobart Gap, enabling a march on American headquarters in Morristown. As it turned out, George Washington had held his general headquarters in Springfield until the day before but left the defense to General Greene. Their goal of reaching Morristown was thwarted. This was the last invasion of the British into New Jersey -
Battle of Camden, South Carolina
Americans marched into SC to liberate the state from British control. The British commander immediately left the city to take the field against colonists. The armies approached one another north of Camden. When the British advanced and presented bayonets, the Virginians immediately turned and ran. Their flight carried to North Carolina militia in the center of Gates's line and the American position quickly collapsed. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/camden -
Battle of Cowpens
As the British attacked, American General Daniel Morgan instructed the militia to skirmish with them but to leave the front line after firing two rounds. The British mistook the repositioning of the Americans as a rout and ran into an unexpected volley of concentrated rifle fire coupled with a cavalry charge and followed by the return of the militia. British leader Banastre Tarleton escaped, but Morgan’s troops decimated his army. -
Battle of Kings Mountain
Americans creep quietly toward the British leader Ferguson’s position. The Americans attack quickly attack all sides of the hill. Ferguson deploys his Loyalist militia in the center of the hilltop. After firing a volley, Ferguson’s men blunt the American's advance, but only on one side of the hill. Ferguson and his men are surrounded after they fail to stop the Americans. Mounted on his horse, he is hit multiple times, his body hanging from his horse as it flees. The loyalists then surrender. -
Battle of Yorktown
After firing incessant artillery to weaken British defenses, American and French forces prepare a surprise assault on the town. The assault commences with a diversionary attack on a town further north of Yorktown, giving the appearance that the town itself was to be stormed. To prevent the British defenders from escaping the coming onslaught, troops cover the rear of the town. Fighting ensues in close quarters, but the British are overwhelmed. Americans win with only 34 casualties. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was signed by U.S. and British Representatives on September 3, 1783, ending the War of the American Revolution.
The 1783 Treaty was one of a series of treaties signed at Paris in 1783 that also established peace between Great Britain and the allied nations of France, Spain, and the Netherlands. https://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/ho/time/ar/14313.htm