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Battle of Bunker Hill
Although known by the name, Battle of Bunker Hill, the fight actually took place mostly on Breed's Hill. During this fight the British defeated the Americans. Because of the British winning, Breed’s Hill and the Charlestown Peninsula fell firmly under British control. -
Olive Branch Petition Sent
On July 5th, 1775, the Continental Congress adopted the Olive Branch Petition which was written by John Dickinson. Congress attempted to notify the king that American colonists were unhappy with ministerial policy, not his own. -
Common Sense Pamphlet is published
On January 10th, 1776, Thomas Paine published the Common Sense Pamphlet, which talks about argument that are for American Independence. It was the first pamphlet to advocate American Independence. Paine's political beliefs later led him to a stint in prison, but after his release, his last great pamphlets were released as well. -
Declaration of Independence drafted
On June 11, 1776 Delegates from each of the Thirteen Colonies met in Pennsylvania for liberty. They all wanted freedom and separation from England. The Colonies believed that their rights were being impeded by the British and they didn't want to be apart of it anymore, especially after the taxation without representation disagreement. -
Battle for New York
British troops landed on Staten Island and worked and increased to 32,000. Washington was hampered by the British control of the sea, which allowed them to conceivably attack either Long Island or Manhattan. When the British started coming to Long Island, Washington started protecting both sides and fortified the Heights of Guan. -
Second Continental Congress Meets
The Second Continental Congress met after the Revolutionary War began. In 1776 it declared America's separation from Britain. Five years later, the Congress ratified the first national constitution, the Articles of Confederation, where the country would be governed until 1789, when it was replaced by the current U.S. Constitution. -
Battle of Trenton
The Hessian force at Trenton numbered 1,400 under Colonel Johann Rall's leadership. Although they knew about upcoming warning of an colonial movements, the men were unprepared and exhausted for Washington's attack. As Washington approached the town, he divided his men, sending flanking columns under General Nathaniel Greene and General John Sullivan. Rall tried to rally his troops but couldn't set up a defense, and ended up being shot off of his horse. The Hessians quickly surrendered. -
Valley Forge
During the summer of 1777 to 1778, George Washington made his soldiers camp at Valley Forge. 11,000 soldiers were put to the test there and hundreds eventually died of disease. Soldiers lived in huts at the top of a plateau. They built their own houses and found straw to sleep on. There wasn't much food for everyone and it was expected that they would all die. -
Fight for Philadelphia
British General William Howe set out to capture the city of Philadelphia. Washington launched a attack in order to conquer Philadelphia. They wanted it because it was the largest city in England-North America. -
Battle of Saratoga
On September 19th, a British general by the name of John Burgoyne achieved a small victory over the American forces led by Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold. Although Burgoyne's strength weakened, he attacked the Americans at Bemis Heights. He had to flee after he was defeated. -
Battle of Yorktown
French Government sent a strong army under Rochambeau. Later, Cornwallis then set out to capture Marquis de Lafayette and his troops/men. The Americans and French allied against the British. Rochambeau led his men to New York and joined the main American army, Washington took command of everyone. The French thought there would be an attack on New York, was decieved, and realized it too late. They were left defeated. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
Treaty of Paris went back and fourth between the British and America. It helped lead to independence. The Continental Congress named a five-member commission to negotiate a treaty–John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Laurens. Laurens was captured until the end of the war, and Jefferson didn't make it so it was left up to Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams.
