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Battle of Lexington and Concord
This was the first battle of the American Revolution. British soldiers were ordered to capture Samual Adams and John Hancock in Lexington and then go to Concord to seize weapons and gunpowder. Thanks to American spies, American soldeirs were able to hide their weapons and warn the miinutemen. The colonies won this war. -
Second Continental Congress
The Patriot leaders from the 13 colonies meet with each other in Philadelphia. They discuss how to deal with the threat of Britian and create the first continental army with George Washington as the Commander in Chief. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
This battle took place around Breed's Hill. Colonial leaders learn that the British were going to send trops to the hills outside the cities which made Willian Prescott send 1.200 troops out. Britian wins and kills more than a hundred of the colonists. -
"Common Sense" published
This is one of the most influential pamphlets in history. Created by Thomas Paine to show the benefits of independence for the colonies. -
The Virginia Declaration of Rights
This bill says that all men are equally free and independent by nature. It also says thats all men are entitled to natural rights of life, liberty, and property. This is written by George Mason who believed that government derives its power from the people. -
Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence
This was the official document that decleared American's desire for independence from Great Britian. One of the three most important documents in American history written by Thomas Jefferson. -
Battle of Long Island
This battle was a part of the British attempts to control the northern ports in the New England colonies. The Brittish won due to the high number of casualties of the Americans, leading George Washington to retreat through the ocean southward. -
Battle of Trenton
On Christmas Day, Washington took over 2,000 solders across the Delaware River to Trenton, NJ, to create a surprise attack on the Hessians. Only two men die on the 9 mile march through the snow, but because the Hessians were unprepared the battle only lasted about one hour till they surrendered with no other American deaths. -
Marquis de Lafayette
French Major General who sailed to America. He was given senior positions in the Continental Army. His troops helped block forces led by Cornwallis during the Battle of Yorktown. -
Battle of Saratoga
This battle was a major victory for the colonies over Britian. British General John Burgoyne led a invasion army into New York from Canada, which became surrounded by American forces. Two small battles broke out but failed, leading to a British surrender and an American victory. -
Nathanael Greene
Nathanael Greene was a major general of the Continental Army. He was named commander of the Sothern Army by George Washington and was defeated at Hobkirk's Hill, SC. -
Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben
Prussian-born military officer who became a Major General in the Continental Army. He helped train the troops at Valley Forge,making them into a more unified and percise team after the winter was over. -
Treaty of Alliances
This treaty created a defensive alliance between France and the colonies after France saw the victory at Saratoga. This made it so that France would supply military support against Brittish attacks on America for the future.In return, if America won independence from Britian, it would give France the West Indies. -
Benedict Arnold
Arnold was a major general of the Continental Army. He later changed sides to the Brittish army after being charged for coruption. He gave the Brittish information which made him very valuble asset. -
Articles of Confederation adopted
The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution in America, signed by all 13 colonies to make America a confederation of soverign states. -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown is the final and one of the most important battles of the revolution. General George Washington commanded both the French and Continental troops against General Lord Cornwallis' British troops. The battle lasted 3 weeks, day and night, with constant firing by gun anf by canon. Finally, Cornwallis surrendered to Washington, ending the American Revolution. -
Charles Cornwallis
Lord Cornwallis was a leading British general during the American Revolution. He surrendered his army at the Battle of Yorktown to General George Washington. -
Treaty of Paris signed
After the American Revolution, the United States and Great Britian came together to negotiate the terms of their independence and recognization as America. The Continental Congress names 5 people to negotiate the terms consisting of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Laurens. -
U.S. Constitution signed
The U.S. Constitution created America's national goverenment, important laws, and guaranteed natural rights to its citizens. During the convention, Patriots from each state worked together to create a stronger government with a three brance system so that no single branch can over power the rest. -
U.S. Constitution adopted
After months of arguing, a compromise was reached which made the states agree to ratify the Constitution as long as the amendments were immediately proposed. One by one starting with Massachusetts, the states ratified the Consitution.
