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The Battle of Lexington an Concord
A British General, General Gage had a plan to capture Sam Adams and John Hancock and Lexington then they would go to Concord to steal colonial gunpowder. Colonial spies caught wind of his plan and rode as fast as they could to alert General Washington. The battle at Lexington was the beginning of the revolutionary war. Tough the battles were British victories they gav moral boost to the american colonists. -
The capture of Fort Ticonderoga
Ethan Allan led a dawn attack on Fort Ticonderoga. It was a small scale conflict, but is was the first American victory of the Revolutionary war. It also gave the colonists much needed artillery for future battles. -
First meeting of the second Continental Congress
To meet the ever growing threat of the British the continental congress had to do something and fast. So they decided to form a Continental army, they appointed it's leader to be George Washington. The congress had become the new country's governing body. -
The Battle at Bunker Hill
The Americana had made base at the top of breeds hill. They were low on bullets so when the British approached they were told not to fire until they could see the whites of the soldiers eyes. Though the Americans did not win the battle they knocked out 1,000 British troops and provided an important confidence boost to the Americans. -
The publishing of Tomas Paine's "Common Sense"
Tomas Paine's "Common Sense" Challenged the authority of the British government. It was the first peace of work it openly ask for independence from Britain. -
The Declaration of Independence
By the middle of 1776 the revolutionary war was in full swing. The delegates of the continental congress was met with a growing need for independence from Britain. They decided they needed to officially declare their independence from Britain. They composed a document written largely by Tomas Jefferson that is known as the Declaration of Independence. -
Battles of Trenton and Princeton
On the morning of December 26 George Washington led a surprise attack on Trenton. He defeated the Hessian and General Garrison. He later returned to Trenton and lured the British south. He executed a daring Night march on January 3rd to capture Princeton. -
The Articles of Confederation
It was the first written constitution of the united states. Congress was given the ability to settle disputes, make treaties and alliances, maintain armies, and coin money. It's creation process was slowed by the rapid state land claims, it was ratified on March 1, 1781. -
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The winter at Valley Forge
Cold, hunger, and sickness marked the Continental army's stay at Valley Forge. George Washington decided to go to Valley Forge Because he wanted to keep watch over General Howe's army just 20 miles away in Philadelphia. The colonial army endured cold and harsh conditions as they waited for spring. Most of the men's enlistments would be up soon, George Washington wondered if he would even have an army by that spring. -
Battle of Yorktown
Washington led an army of Colonists and French into a battle at Yorktown against British General Cornwallis. This Battle is considered to be the most important battle for american Independence. Cornwallis surrendered to Washington on October 17 1781, finally ending the war for American Independence. -
Treaty of Paris (1783)
This document officially ended the revolutionary war, and recognized America's independence from Britain. The treaty was negotiated by five people chosen by the continental Congress. Due to complications of these five only Ben Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams were able to attend the negotiations.
