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Lexington and Concord
The British wanted to take the weapons from the Patriots as a precaution, but Paul Revere warned the Patriots that the British were coming. The Patriots then had enough time to assemble a small force to head off the British; it was defeated, but as the British marched on toward Concord, they were ambushed and defeated by Patriot reinforcments. -
The Second Continental Congress
Petitioned King George to remove oppressive parliament, and warned him that they would want independence if not. They (being the delegates of the Congress) created a continental army. -
George Washington Commander in Cheif of Continental Army
During the Second Continental Congress, George Washington was named the Commander in Chief of the new continental army that would attempt to protect America's freedom. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
3,000 British troops attacked American forts near Boston. The Patriots fought valiantly and at least 1,000 people died, but in the end the British triumphed. -
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense"
Paine writes a pamphlet accusing the British crown of repression and inviting all the colonists to rise up and declare their independence, because Britian does not care about their real wellbeing. -
Declaration of Independence
A document written mostly by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence informs the British of American grievances and justified American indpendence by naming many of King George's crimes toward them. It says that King George is unfit to rule them and that they are now free. The Document is approved on the 4th of July and printed. -
Battle of Long Island
Britian wanted to show off its power by capturing New York; it also wanted to have control of th Hudson river. British forces pushed back the Patriots and won the battle, sending the Patriots retreating to Manhattan. The British outflanked them, but somehow the Patriots escaped in the night, -
The Crossing of the Delaware
On Christmas eve Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware river and attacked 1,000 German Hessians in a battle for the ocntrol of Trenton. The Patriots won. -
Small Battle at Princeton
A small, unimportant battle of the Revoluationary War which ended in Patriot victory; nevertheless, it was important to keep winning to keep up moralle. -
Battle at Brandywine
General Howe of the British army hoped to end the war with a blow on Philedelphia, where the Continental Congress was. He easily outflanked the Patriots at Brandywine Creek in Delaware, and eventually marched into and captured Philedelphia. Though Howe won the battle, the Continental Congress escaped. -
Battle of Saratoga
General Burgoyne of the British Army took too long traveling to New York. The Patriots were ready and waiting when they arrived at Saratoga, and after about a month of fighting, the American forces had surrounded Burgoyne so thoroughly that he was forced to surrender. This was the turning point of the war; the French, after seeing the American victory, were compelled to join the war on their side, -
Winter at Valley Forge
Washington and his army spent their winter in Valley Forge. The conditions were awful; it was bitterly cold, the soldiers had little food and clothing. Many soldiers died of cold or lack of food or disease. However, von Steuben worked with the American forces, and they emerged better trained in the spring. -
The French Alliance
The official alliance of America and France. In the actual document, they agree that neither would sign a peace agreement until American achieves liberty. France would get its West Indie islands back, and America now had money, supplies, and soldiers from France. -
General Howe replaced by Henry Clinton
General Howe became a disgraced name in Britian and was replaced with general Henry Clinton as a result. -
Occupation of Savannah
The British, commanded by Campbell, launched a naval attack on Savannah, Georgia. They captured the city, and rallied troops there. -
Spain declares war on Britian
Spain joins America and France in fight ing the British in the hopes of regaining Florida and the Fortress of Gibraltar. -
The Philipsburg Proclamation
unsure day or month British told slaves that whomever joined their cause would be considered free. They were told they would also recieve protection and land. -
King's Mountain
Patriots defeated Loyalits at King's Mountain. They took near 1,000 prisoners as a result. -
Nathanael Greene Commander of Southern Army
Washington names Nathanael Greene the official commander of the Southern Army. Greene had been involved in many more battles of the war and he was a good choice. -
Battle at Cowpens
The British had been winning many battles. But early in 1781, General Morgan led Americans to a victory at Cowpens, South Carolina. It was a bloody battle. -
Articles of Confederation Adopted
America's first Bill of Rights, so to speak, finally adopted by all between 1781-1782. -
French Blockade in the Chesapeake
As part of Washington's three-pronged attack plan on Yorktown, the French Navy sets up a blockade in the Cheseapeake bay, forcing all British Navy out and blocking any help they could have given their soldiers at Yorktown. -
Yorktown
Washington's three-pronged attack plan finally fell into place. His forces bombarded Yorktown for nearly a month before British General Cornwallis was finally forced to surrender. He had no other choice. Thus, American Independence was born. -
Treaty of Paris
Great Britian formally recognized America as an indepedent country. British had no control over the land or the waterways anymore.
Also signed Treaty of Versaille and made peace with France and Spain. -
Ratification of the Constitution
The whole of the United States finally accepts the Constitution; there were many legal battles over it, and Federalists and anti--Federalists parties fought over what it should encompass. In the end, they compromised, and this date marks everyone's acceptance of the Constitution.
