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American History Revolution Timeline
The American Revolution lasted from 1774 to 1791. It was a time where the Thirteen Colonies in America were fighting for their independence for the British Empire. -
First Continental Congress
LinkDelegates from the Thirteen Colonies held a meeting in Philadelphia in response to the Coercive Acts (the Intolerable Acts) for the Continental Congress. The Congress issued a formal Declaration and Resolves charging that the Parliament had violated colonial rights. In addition, the Committees of Observation and Safety was authorized in order to monitor the loyalty of colonists and to defend the colonies. The committee formed a based of self-governance in the colonies. -
Lexington and Concord
LinkGeneral Thomas Gage (the British governor of Massachusetts) was in disagreement with the actions of the Committee Safety in Boston. Gage sent 700 redcoats (British soldiers) to seize militia weapons stored at Concord. Paul Revere (Boston Patriot) went to Lexington from Boston and then to Concord, warning the minutemen of the approaching forces. When the redcoats destroyed a supply of gunpowder, their return home was brutal, as minutemen in hiding ambushed them. 73 dead and more than 200 wounded. -
Second Continental Congress
LinkThe Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. Most were reluctant to defy the king, but a few saw little hope for a peaceful resolution. The delegates had to act quickly to directly help Massachusetts and strengthen the colonies’ defenses. The delegates sent petitions to London urging the British government to restore colonial liberties; all were ignored. -
Army of the Continental Congress
LinkThe Second Continental Congress appointed George Washington as the head of the new Army of the Continental Congress, to command the militiamen besieging Boston in the north. They also appropriated money for a small navy and for transforming the undisciplined militias into the professional Continental Army. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
LinkIn the Battle of Bunker Hill, the British attacked the American’s tree times. The first two charges were failures. But when the British attacked for the final time, the Americans ran out of ammunition and were demolished. There were over 1000 British causalities (40% of force). -
Olive Branch Petition
LinkWhen the Second Continental Congress sent a final appeal, known as the Olive Branch Petition, Britain only further restricted the trade with the colonies and formally declared that the American colonies were in “open and avowed rebellion”, in which he called on all loyal subjects to “bring the traitors justice.” -
Quebec Military Campaign
LinkThe Americans were in fear of a British attack from Quebec, so they wanted to launch an attack before they strike. The first army to head north from New York was General Richard Montgomery’s army, who defeated the British and withdrew downriver Quebec. Commanded by Benedict Arnold, the second army arrived, but the French killed Montgomery and forced Arnold and his men to flee. -
Common Sense published
LinkThe Common Sense pamphlet was written to inform the general public (common people) about the causes if the American Revolution was to succeed. Englishman Thomas Paine, a settler of Philadelphia, published this print. The pamphlet included information such as critical remarks on the rulers violating rights rather than benefiting the citizens of the nation. -
Declaration of Independence
LinkOn July 4th, 1776, the Second Continental Congress held a conference in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania State House approving the Declaration of Independence to separate the ties of the Thirteen Colonies from the British Empire. The Declaration of Independence holds strong principles regarding individual rights and quality. Congressman, Thomas Jefferson, drafted the document. -
Battle of Princeton
LinkGeneral George Washington had a plan to attack Princeton. The Continental force charged and drove the British back. General Washington led his troops to the British line; the British retreated toward Princeton, the Americans moving behind them. The Americans outmaneuvered the British and escaped Cornwallis’ encircling move, although the troops of Mawhood’s two regiments, the 17th and 55th Foot, must be considered the heroes of the battle. -
Battle of Saratoga
LinkGeneral Howe defeated, captured, and occupied the colonial capital of Philadelphia after the battles of Brandywine Creek and Germantown. Advancing north from New York was a failure that left the British force moving south from Quebec vulnerable to attack. General John Burgoyne commanded the British invaders, who suffered many defeats, surrendered at Saratoga on October 17, 1777, which brought an end to the British grand strategy. -
Valley Forge
LinkThe Army of the Continental Congress settled at Valley Forge near Philadelphia and was forced to endure an unusually bitter winter. Almost 3000 men died of malnutrition, disease, and exposure. No battle was fought at Valley Forge -
Battle of Savannah
LinkBefore the Battle, the British under the command of Lt. Campbell had captured Savannah. The Battle of Savannah was when the Americans and French attempted to defeat the British to occupy it. The Americans lost and remained under the control of the British. -
Battle of Yorktown
LinkGeneral George Washington heard that a French fleet was going to arrive off the coast of Virginia, so Washington brought the Continental Army down south and his French allies to surround the British forces at Yorktown. The French and American troops helped by the French fleet for more than a month to besiege the British garrison. General Cornwallis that relief was impossible so him and his men surrendered to Washington. -
Treaty of Paris
LinkWithout the knowledge of the French, the Americans and British came to a tentative agreement. Britain finally recognized American independence and promised to take out any of their remain troops. Americans were given all the lands south of Canada, north of Spanish Florida, from the Atlantic to the Mississippi River. In agreement, the Americans promised to stop seizures of Loyalist property and to make up for previous Loyalist losses. The French were appalled by betrayal.
