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Battle of Lexington and Concord
Taking place on April 19, 1775, The Battle of Lexington and Concord signaled the start of the American Revolution. British troops made way to Lexington, and then to Concord to find and steal weapons and ammunition from the colonists. Thankfully, the colonists were warned of the British Army’s approach. The British were greeted by 80 militiamen in Lexington. A shot was fired: the “shot heard around the world.” This gunshot sparked the flurry of battle. -
Battle of Fort Ticonderoga
On May 10, 1775, Fort Ticonderoga, which had been held by the British since 1759, was invaded by American colonists. The “Green Mountain Boys,” a local militia led by Ethan Allen, overran the fort in order to take control of its cannons. The British Army attacked the fort and the colonists, forcing them to retreat and give up the fort. This battle served as a large morale boost for the colonists, as they were able to overrun a British fort with their small numbers in comparison to British troops -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Taking place on June 17, 1775 on Breed’s hill was the Battle of Bunker Hill. American forces moved to Bunker and Breed’s Hill when they learned that the British planned on taking over the hills around Boston. During battle, the Americans began to run out of ammunition, retreating once again. There were far more British causalities than American, but they still gained power. However, the Americans viewed this as a victory because if they just had more ammunition, they would have won. -
Common Sense
Common Sense was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine published in 1776. This persuasive pamphlet was a way to convince the public to advocate for separation from Great Britain. Paine used persuasive devises that appealed to emotion and logic, creating convincing arguments that affected all who read. -
Declaration of Independence
On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed. A monumental moment in history, this document served as the official declaration of America’s separation from Great Britain. It included first, the rights one is entitled to as an American, second, the grievances caused by King George III, and third, officially declaring independence. It took several weeks for representatives of the thirteen colonies to agree to sign the document, but eventually they all approved. -
Battle of Long Island
This battle was the largest of the Revolutionary War. The purpose of this battle was for the British campaign to seize control of New York. Anticipating this, the Americans prepared to defend Long Island. Greatly overpowered and surrounded by British troops, the Americans retreated to Brooklyn Heights. The British halted their attack, and the next day they found that the Continental Army had silently crossed the East River to Manhattan overnight. -
Washington Crosses the Delaware
On Christmas night, 1776, George Washington guided his army across the Delaware River in order to attack an isolated garrison of Hessian troops in Trenton, New Jersey. Washington theorized that a victory against Hessian troops would bring a morale boost to his army, as well as encourage others to join. -
Battle of Trenton
On December 26, 1776, the Americans planned to attack the Hessian soldiers stationed in Trenton, New Jersey. However, a British spy amongst American soldiers warned the British army of the attack. Despite knowing about the surprise attack, Hessian troops did not prepare, assuming that it would be an easy battle. Ultimately, the Americans conquered the Hessian troops and prevailed. -
Battle of Princeton
After their defeat in Trenton, the British set out to overwhelm Washington’s Continental army by attacking in Princeton. With 8,000 redcoats, General Charles Cornwallis arrived by the Delaware River, but was once again outsmarted by Washington. Rather than come back through the River—like the British had expected— Washington snuck around the side of the British camp. Even outnumbered, the Americans emerged victorious. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga included two different battles fought eighteen days apart: The Battle of Freeman’s Farm and the Battle of Bemis Heights. British Generals Burgoyne and Howe planned to split the colonies in two along the Hudson River. However, Howe abandoned Burgoyne in Albany. Despite this, the British still defeated the colonists in the Battle of Freeman’s Farm. Afterward, the colonists called more militiamen to fight the Battle of Bemis Heights, where they won against the British army. -
Winter at Valley Forge
It was during the winter of 1777 at Valley Forge that a six-month long encampment of the Continental Army took place. During this time, the militiamen were extremely cold and starving with depleting recourses and severe hardship. Hundreds died from disease, but through it all, morale and determination were held together by their goal to independence and George Washington, who proved himself to his troops in the face doubt. -
Treaty of Amity and Commerce/ Treaty of Alliance
In 1778, America and France signed the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and the Treaty of Alliance. The purpose of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce was to recognize the United States of America as an independent nation. It also allowed for trade between the U.S. and France. The Treaty of Alliance detailed that France would ally with the United States in military against Great Britain. These documents were significant because it marked the beginning of a peace agreement between France and the U.S. -
Battle of Charleston
Americans experienced their most harrowing defeat of the revolution on May 12, 1780. The British army created a siege at Fort Wagner on the Charleston Harbor, a port city. Over the course of several weeks, the British army grew closer and closer to the fort, bringing more reinforcements and attacks until it was utterly surrounded and American General Benjamin Lincoln was forced to surrender. Roughly 5,000 American soldiers were lost, and it was a joyous victory for the British. -
Battle of Springfield
On June 23, 1780, British forces attempted an attack on New Jersey. They managed to overwhelm a few American outposts at Elizabethtown, stealing weaponry and even capturing a few men. However, warned of the oncoming attack, American soldiers brought forward rebel forces. Against the onslaught of men as they moved into Springfield, the British army was forced to retreat, resulting in a Continental victory. -
Battle of Camden, SC
On August 16, 1780 another British victory emerged during the Battle of Camden, South Carolina. American soldiers marched toward the British in Camden, ready to begin another battle. However, the cases of dysentery among the American army led by General Horatio Gates caused many men to fall. The illness was due to Gates feeding his men molasses and cornmeal the night before. The British army pressed forward with force, defeating the Continental army in yet another battle. -
Battle of Cowpens
The Battle of Cowpens of January 17, 1781 was a turning point of the War in the Southern colonies. In this battle, General Nathaniel Greene planned to defeat the British by splitting his army to attack the rear and front lines at the same time. Half of his army was led by Daniel Morgan. Morgan’s army was made up of three lines: In the first, 150 riflemen, in the second, 300 militiamen with muskets, and in the third, the main force. The plan worked, and the British were easily defeated. -
Battle of Kings Mountain
This battle was fought between Patriot and Loyalist militiamen. The British felt ready to move against the U.S. army in North Carolina. Major Patrick Ferguson, who was appointed to lead the army, planned to move west of the Blue Ridge Mountains after defeating the militia bands stationed there. American militia groups began searching for Ferguson, causing him to call for support. Unprepared, the British army gradually crumbled beneath the American soldiers and it was another victory for America. -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown was the last battle of the Revolutionary War. As British General Cornwallis was retreating to Yorktown, General George Washington and his army was coming down from the north. The French navy began to move near Yorktown as well. Surrounded, the British army was forced to surrender after eleven days of attacks from all sides. This marked the end of Revolutionary War battle. -
Treaty of Paris
The treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783. Signed between Great Britain and the United States, the document officially ended the American Revolution and recognized the U.S. as an independent nation.