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British Retreat to Boston
As the British retreat to Boston, this would bring the war to the middle states. Also this would try to stop rebellion by isolating New England, and seize New York City. -
Americans Retreat from New York
General William Howe and Admiral Richard Howe join forces in Staten Island and sail into the New York Harbor. Washington rallies 23,000 men to New York's defense but was outnumbered. American troops retreat following the losses. -
British push Patriots across the Delaware River
Washington and his troops were pushed into Pennsylvania across the Delaware River. Many Patriot troops either left or were killed and captured. Less than 8,000 men had remained under his command. -
Battle of Trenton
Christmas night, Washington led 2,400 men in small rowboats across the Delaware. In the morning, the mean surprise attacked the British troops. Many were too drunk or still sleeping to fight back. -
End of enlistment for US troops
Washington was in desperate need for troops because many had left or were killed. Many were due to leave and were angry they weren't being paid. -
Washington moves troops to Morristown, NJ
After the Battle of Trenton, the Americans were rallied by another victory eight days later against 1,200 British stationed at Princeton. So, Washington led his army into winter camp near Morristown, in northern New Jersey. -
Fight for Philadelphia
General Howe started to campaign to take the American capital of Philadelphia. The troops sailed from New York to the head of the Chesapeake Bay and landed near the capital in late August. The Continental Congress fled the city and Washington's troops unsuccessfully tried to block the redcoats. The British took Philadelphia. -
Battle of Saratoga
General John Burgoyne (Loyalist) had a plan to lead an army to meet up with General Howe's troops as they arrived from New York City. But, Howe didn't know of this plan so Burgoyne was in trouble. General Horatio Gates commanded the Continental Army to surround Burgoyne at Saratoga. Burgoyne surrendered his battered army to the US troops. -
Valley Forge
The British had controlled New York and parts of New England, they wintered comfortably in Philadelphia. The Continental Army struggled to stay alive in the cold and primitive conditions at camp in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The army ran low on food and clothes. Also many got sick and there were no medicines to make them better. Many died and suffered extremes such as limb amputations. -
French Sign Peace Treaty with US
After winning Saratoga, the French realized they could trust the American troops.They recognized American independence and signed treaty. This treaty stated that French agreed to not make peace with Britain unless they British also recognized American independence. -
Friedrich von Steuben trains Continental Army
Friedrich von Steuben, a Prussian captain and talented drillmaster joined the Continental Army at Valley Forge. He taught the soldiers to stand at attention, execute field maneuvers, fire and reload quickly, and wield bayonets. The army quickly transformed to become an effective fighting force. -
British turn to take the South
After trying to split up the middle states, the British turned to the South. They believed they could rally more Loyalist support as there were many who lived there. Also they thought they could reclaim land they had lost and expand more like in the middle and northern states. -
British take Savannah, Georgia
At the end of 1778, the British had easily taken Savannah, Georgia. The Patriots didn't put up a good fight there as there were more loyalist and militia men had to come out and fight. -
Governor commands Georgia again
After the British take Savannah, a new governor takes over. A royal governor would once again command the state of Georgia. -
Marquis de Lafayette joins to help the Continental Army
A 20-year-old Marquis de Lafayette joined the army. He would offer his assistance and Washington would allow him to take full command of the army at times. In the later years of the war, he would command a force in Virginia. -
Henry Clinton & Cornwallis sail South to take over
General Henry Clinton and Charles Cornwallis sailed south with 8,500 men to gain more support in the South. -
British capture the US Troops
British troops capture Charles Town, South Carolina. Then they march 5,500 American soldiers off as prisoners of war. Cornwallis would then be left to command the British forces and conquer South and North Carolina. -
French land in Newport, Rhode Island
A French fleet of 6,000 landed in Newport, Rhode Island. Lafayette suggested that the American and French armies should join forces and attack British forces at Yorktown. -
Cornwallis' Army clashes with US Troops
Cornwallis' army smashed with American forces at Camden, South Carolina. Within three months, the British established forts all across the state. -
Robert Morris becomes Superintendent of Finance
Congress needed someone to run their finances, so they chose a rich Philadelphia merchant, Robert Morris. His associate was Haym Salomon, a Jewish political refugee from Poland. They begged and borrowed on their personal credit to raise money to provide salaries for the army. -
The two forces meet; British surrender
The forces met at Cowspen, South Carolina and the British expected to outnumber the American troops. But, the Continental Army fought back and forced the redcoats to surrender. -
British attack US Troops again
Cornwallis was angered at the defeat in Cowpens. He attacked Greene two months later at Guilford Court House in North Carolina. Cornwallis won but he lost a fourth of his army. -
Greene asked Lafayette for help
Greene weakened the British but worried the fight for the South. Greene asked Lafayette to help and send more troops so they can save the South from British control. -
US Troops are finally paid
Robert Morris and Haym Solomon finally raised and begged for enough money. They had gotten many funds from Philadelphia Quakers and Jews. The soldiers were finally paid in specie, or gold coin. -
Cornwallis moves to fight Virginia
After battling in the Carolinas, Cornwallis moves to Virginia to fight. He meets up with reinforcements and tries to capture the divisions led by Lafayette and Von Steuben. But that fails, so he leads his army to the peninsula between the James and York rivers and camp at Yorktown. -
Battle of Yorktown
American and French naval fleets surrounded Cornwallis and blocked the entrance of the Chesapeake Bay. This would cause British to not have communication. The Continental Army would surround the British on the Yorktown peninsula and bombard them day and night until the surrendered. -
British surrender
When Cornwallis' troops were outnumbered by more than two to one they realized this was the end. The troops were exhausted and had no chance. Cornwallis finally raised the white flag of defeat. -
US accepts British surrender
A triumphant Washington, French Generals, and troops assembled to accept the surrender. They were overjoyed and could not believe they would win the war. -
Peace talks begin in Paris
Peace talks begin between the United States, Great Britain, France, and Spain. Each nation hoped to look for negotiations that would look into their own interests. Such as Great Britain not giving the US full independence and Spain wanting to gain the land between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi Rivers. Also France was scared that the US would become too powerful. -
Treaty of Paris is signed
Delegates signed the Treaty of Paris which confirmed US independence. Also it set the boundaries of the new nation. IT would stretch from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River and from Canada to Florida border.
