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Declaration of Independence
After months of fighting between the British and the Americans, the Continental Congress decided that they needed to make a decision upon the issue of independence.Thomas Jefferson, a Virginian and lawyer known for his "broad Knowledge and skillfully crafted prose", wrote the document based on an English Philosopher John Locke concept of "life, liberty and pursuit of happiness" and the numerous ways the British King violated the rights of the colonists.Delegates voted the colonies free in July. -
Michael Graham
Michael Graham, a continental army volunteer, described the chaotic withdrawal in New York. Graham witnessed the confusion and horror of the scene where the military flag was flying and men off their horses back running almost in every direction. By that time, their army was surrounded, however they understood that there was another road that was unoccupied by their troops. The British passed them unobserved.
Text Book Account - Pg 120 -
Battle of Long Island
On the early hours of August 27, 1776, the British started to send troops to the center of the Americans defense. While the Americans were fighting the small forces on the other side they were being attacked by the huge force. The Americans battled the British in Brooklyn. The Battle began with the Americans fighting with optimism, until the British who were well trained and killed 1407 of them which diminished the optimism that the Americans have. -
Nathan Hale captured and executed for espionage
General George Washington ordered a secret mission, where Hale went behind enemy's line to gather information on the British army's location. Nathan Hale left the American lines at Harlem Heights on September 12, 1776, posing as an wandering teacher.His cousin Samuel Hale, a Loyalist working for the British,and he then turned him over to authorities.British Major Robert Rogers recognized Hale although he was disguised and invited him to dinner where he was taken into custody and later executed. -
Marquis de Lafayette
Marquis de Lafayette, a brave 20 year old french aristocrat, offered his assistance to the Continental army. He joined Washington's staff and proceeded to the "misery of Valley Forge". Lafayette implore for the French reinforcement in France and led the command in Virginia in the last years of the war. -
Siege of Fort Ticonderoga
The Fort of Ticonderoga was held by the Americans and was used to defend New York from the British with 2000 men on guard. Clair requested more soldiers to guard the Fort but Washington thought it was unnecessary and that the British wouldn't attack again. On July 6 the British with 8000 soldiers surround the Fort where General John Burgoyne think is a vulnerable to attack first. With the british action St Clair ordered his men to retreat and gave up which was a huge loss for the americans. -
British occupation of Philadelphia
On September 26, many patriots and businessman had abandoned the city upon the arrival of the British. Washington and his army ransacked the city taking anything that may have been useful to their enemy. The citizens who stayed there were either poor or loyalist to the Crown. British officers started moving into houses and creating a local government that upheld the rights of the throne. Since the Americans left the city in a mess, it was chaotic with the British turning it into a rescue point. -
Adoption of the Articles of Confederation
After the United States gained their independence from the British, the thirteen colonies needed a new form of government to replace the British absolute monarch, they were attempting to overthrow. The founding fathers including John Adams, Thomas Jefferson etc..., attempted to create the new form of government around the Article of Confederation. The Article of Confederation was first proposed to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1777. -
Treaty of Amity and Commerce
The Treaty of Amity and Commerce was between the United States and France, it was the first of two treaties between the United States and France, signed on February 6, 1778, at the "Hotel de Coislin" in Paris. The Treaty recognized the fact of United States independence and established a strictly commercial treaty between two nations. Treaty of Alliance, was also signed for mutual defense in case Britain " should break the Peace with France". -
Battle of Springfield
Since the brutal winter has not agreed with Washington and his army, the British and Hessian forces had made two attempts to invade NJ and take their supplies. The first invasion occurred when British and Hessian forces arrived in Elizabethtown, however on June 23, the British and Hessian forces under General Clinton and Knyphausen invade and attack Washington at Morristown, Despite the Americans being outnumbered, they won but have left remarkably damages to the citizens of Springfield. -
Benedict Arnold trade with the British
Benedict Arnold was given command of West Point in NY.Arnold contacted Sir Henry Clinton,head of the British forces,and proposed handing over West Point, the fort,and its men to the British control. On September 21st,Arnold met with British Major John Andre and made his trade, in which the American was to receive a large sum of money and he would receive a high position in the British army.Since Andre was killed, Arnold fled to the British.He lead troops to Virginia and Connecticut. -
John André Execution
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Siege of Yorktown
General Cornwallis brought 8,000 British troops to Yorktown. They expected help from British ships sent from New York however it was impossible due to the French Navy cutting off any entrance to the Chesapeake Bay area. The British ships never arrived. That was lucky for General George Washington and the Continental army and would be a great victory for the Americans. He had no choice but to surrender.
