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British Retreat
After having to retreat from Boston, the British moved the war into the Middle states. Their plan was to isolate New England and to do so they would have to capture New York City. -
Secret French Support
After being defeated by the British in the French and Indian War, the French were looking for some form of revenge. They had been secretly supporting the American Army since early 1776. -
Defeat in New York
General William Howe and Admiral Richard Howe charged into New York with Britains Navy and 32,000 soldiers including German mercenaries. Americans retreated in August. -
Michael Graham's Account of the War
Michael Grahm was a Continental Army volunteer. He describes the withdrawal as chaotic with men running in every direction, shots being fired over people, and men being taken as prisoners of war. -
A Christmas Miracle
On this night Washington risked everything. Despite a storm, Washington led 2,400 of his men in rowboats across the Delaware River. -
The Battle of Trenton
After the rowboats, the men marched to Trenton, New Jersey where the Hessians were too drunk to fight. The Americans killed 30 of them and took 918 captives. They also received six cannons. -
Army Enlistment Ends
With winter quickly approaching and Washington slowly losing more men, he realized he needed to act fast. Fewer than 8,000 men were under his command and he needed some victory to give them hope. -
Princeton
Washington won up against 1,200 British soldiers at Princeton soon after capturing Trenton. Not only did Trenton motivate the troops, but capturing Princeton only further lifted their spirits. Washington continued to march his army into a near by winter camp. -
The Fight for Philadelphia
General Howe sailed from New York to the head of Chesapeake Bay. Washingtons forces tried to block the redcoats out but failed. The Continental Congress packed up and fled the city. The British had taken Philadelphia easily. -
Victory at Saratoga
Generals Howe, John, and Burgoyne had a plan to meet in one area to separate the New England from the rest of the colonies. Burgoyne and his troops ended up getting harassed by General Gates and Burgoyne surrendered giving away his cannons and making his men prisoners of war. -
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Valley Forge
Kicked out of Philadelphia, Washington and his troops were forced to set a camping site in Valley Forge. With limited resources and hardly and food, many troops died of exposure or hunger/dehydration. -
An Alliance With the French
After seeing the victory at Saratoga, the French fully dedicated to becoming allies with America. The French signed a treaty of cooperation with Americans. -
Training in Valley Forge
Friedrich von Steuben was a Prussian Captain and drillmaster. He taught American soldiers how to reload quickly, how to fire, field maneuvers, and how to use bayonets. -
The British Move South
After a defeat in Saratoga, the British decided to change their focus to the South in order to gain Loyalist support and to reclaim their formal colonies. After this, the British planned to fight their way back up North. -
Easy Success for the British in Georgia
The British easily took Savannah, Georgia in a large expedition. -
A New Governor
After Britain took over Savannah, Georgia a new royal governor commanded Georgia. -
Lafayette and the French
Marquis de Lafayette was tried to get French reinforcements to help the Americans. Marquis later led a battle in Virginia later in the war. -
A Journey With Replacements
General Henry Clinton had replaced Howe in New York. Clinton and Cornwallis sailed south to capture Charles Town, South Carolina. -
Charles Town, South Carolina
General Cornwallis captured Charles Town, South Carolina and took 5,500 American soldiers as prisoners of war. This put Cornwallis in the position to conquer South and North Carolina. -
French Reinforcements Arrive
By luck, Cornwallis had left Newport, Rhode Island to focus on the South. This allowed a fleet of 6,000 French soldiers to come and help the Americans. -
More British Success in South Carolina
Cornwallis and his army easily defeated the American army in Camden, South Carolina. -
Denied by North Carolina
After setting up forts across South Carolina, the British attempted to capture North Carolina. Patriots cut off communication between the British and after constant harassment the British were forced to retreat. -
Battle in Cowpens
Cornwallis was retreating south and General Greene marched down to harass his army. When British and American forces collided, the British expected them to surrender as the Americans were outnumbered. Instead, the Americans fought back and in the end, the British retreated in Cowpens, South Carolina. -
A Letter to the French
Although Greene did win a battle in Cowpens, South Carolina, he was still concerned about other battles in the south. He wrote a letter to Lafayette expressing his concerns and a possible plan for Lafayette. -
Solving Financing Issue
The Congress made Robert Morris who was a wealthy merchant from Philadelphia as superintendent of finance. Haym Saloman was his associate. They used personal credit to raise money to give money to the Continental Army. -
Financing the War
Paying soldiers and getting supplies was hard during the war. Although more money was made to support the war, this caused inflation which just made it harder to get resources. On September 8, 1781 the soldiers were paid in specie, or gold coin. -
Victory at Yorktown
The Americans followed Lafayette's plan to trap the British on the peninsula. A French fleet blocked out any ships coming from the east and a storm blew back any ships of Cornwallis. This led to his surrender as he had no escape. -
Britains Formal Surrender
Colonel William Fontaine of the Virginia militia was standing beside both American and French armies on roads looking upon Yorktown, Virginia. Here they awaited Britains surrender. -
Seeking Peace
Each country sent representatives to Paris to negotiate a peaceful end to the war. Britain didn't want America to be independent. France supported America but feared it at the same time. Spain wanted land. America wanted independence. -
Treaty of Paris
John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay of New York met with other delegates from France, Britain, and Britain to discuss Americas independence and its boundaries.
