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Paul Revere and William Dawes ride
The start of the Revolutionary war begins with a famous horesback ride, in which Paul Revere said,"I set off, it was then about 11 o'clock, the moon shone bright...I proceeded to Lexington, through Mistick, and alarmed Mr. Adams and Col. Hancock ..." He was making sure everyone knew that the British were coming. This was a big individual role that Paul Revere played. -
Battle at Lexington and Concord
70 minute men meet against 240 British troops in Lexington. As they were standing waiting for someone to fire the first bullet, one goes flying through the air and no one knows who shot it. The British kill 7 minute men and advance on. But, American militia stop British in Concord and push them back. The tensions were greatly increased by these battlesbecause of the ferocity of the two sides. -
Second Continental Congress
Discussed many questions such as how will we meet the force of the British. Not many were focused on full independence, except for a few radicals, and they even pleaded with King George the thrid for peace. He said no and declared them to be in a state of rebellion. -
American Longrifle Innovation
Although the longrifle was not invented on this exact date, it was first used in the Revolutionary War in June. This was originally a European gun, but it was innovated and made to have grooves inside the barrel to give it extreme accuracy. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
American troops set up at night and in the morning unleash all firepower from canons and guns. 1,054 British were injured or killed in this bloody battle, and it was a big mistake for the British to try to take the hill. They did succeed however, but with great cost. This is similar to the battle of Lexington and Concord, in that it was a bloody battle with major aggressions from both sides, but different because the British advanced in this one and retreated in the last. -
Washington becomes leader of Continental Army
George Washington played a large individual role in contributing to multiple outcomes of many battles because of his leadership skills. It is extremely important that he would be appointed leader of the Continental Army. He once stated in the Virginia Convention that, "I will raise one thousand men, subsist them at my own expense and march myself at their head to the relief of Boston." This shows that Washington would do anything to help in this revolution. -
"Common Sense" by Thomas Paine
The writings by Thomas Paine impacted the overall support the revolution received because his book challenged the authority of the British and he wrote it in plain, easy to understand English. Colonists who were on the fence about the issue now changed their minds and supported the revolution. His indivudual impact was enormous. -
Loyalists defeated at Moores Creek
Loyalists, people that live in the colonies but remain loyal to the British, attack American forces in Moores Creek. This defeat will ensure that the loyalists remian quiet for a long time in the Carolinas. This battle is different from the two before it because this time, instead of British forces, it was the loyalists who attacked. -
British evacuate Boston
The British leaving Boston is a large turning point in this war because not only do the troops leave, but the navy goes to Canada. -
South Carolinians Repel British
Britain launches an attack on a patriot force on Sullivan Island. The fleet is forced to leave because the waters of South Carloina prove to be too difficult to manuever through and they can't land their troops. This is a big moment because the British don't attack in the carolinas for a long time after this. Also, this is like the evacuation of Boston in which the British Navy proves to be useless again and is forced to retreat. -
Creation/Signing of the Declaration of Independence
Considerably one of the biggest events that happened in this War and in American history was the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The group that created it undoubtately played the biggest role on the American side because of the individuals that mde up this group such as John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. This can also be considered a domestic event because we set ourselves free from Britain. -
The Battle of Long Island
This was a defeat for Americans and the start of the British capturing New York city. In terms of troop deployment, this one was the largest in the whole entire war, which makes it a lot different from the others because of the large amount of troops used on both sides. It is significant because this was one of Britain's last big wins. -
Washington Crosses the Delaware
Washington moves his troops to New Jersey and continue to fight their way through British forces, scoring victories for the Americans. These small victories prove that the war is still winable for the American side. -
Help from the French
The Continental Army receives aid from the French, helping them win the War against Britain. The French Alliance can be considered a domestic event because it was ratified in Congress in May. George Washington said, "It having pleased the Almighty Ruler of the universe to defend the course of the United States, and finally raise up a powerful friend among the princes of the earth..." This shows that he believes God made the French ally with the Americans and now they have a powerful friend. -
Yorktown Surrender
General Cornwallis is forced to surrender, having his troops surrounded. New York City and Charleston will stay with British until the Treaty of Paris is signed. The war for American independence is essentially over. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris officially declares the 13 colonies independent from the British. This can be seen as a domestic event because the treaty was making the American colonies seperate from Britain. This is different from the Declaration of Independence because although they essentially do the same thing for the American colonies, the British government agrees this time and lets them go.
