Battle of Lexington and Concord American Victory

Attempting to destroy arms at Concord and capture rebel leaders, the British march from Boston through the countryside. At Lexington, the local militia attempts to stop them, a skirmish ensues, the British continue to Concord where they fight a battle at the North Bridge. While returning to Boston, the British are harassed and in the end lose more soldiers than the American militia. This is the first armed resistance of the Americans against the British. The British are now essentially besieged in Boston.

Bunker Hill, British Victory (barely!)As the British occupied Boston, they were surrounded by colonial militias. The militia held position on Breed’s Hill overlooking Boston. To prevent any possibility of cannon fire from there, the British attacked and a great cost, chased the colonial militia away.

While most colonials wanted to fight for their constitutional rights as British Citizens, Thomas Paine argued that only INDEPENDENCE from Great Britain would bring real freedom. Common Sense was released on the same day that the King’s response to the Olive Branch Petition was received. In it, the King said the colonies and colonists were “bound in all matters whatsoever” to Great Britain. After reading Common Sense, the general belief was that the United States of America should be independent from Great Britain.

Battles around New York, British VictoryWhen the British evacuated Boston, they eventually made their way to New York. A series of battles around the city followed with the British easily beating the Americans at every turn eventually causing the Americans to retreat through New Jersey to the safety of Pennsylvania, across the Delaware River.

The Battles of Trenton and Princeton, American Victory

After losing the battles around New York, and the escape through New Jersey, Washington plans a bold night crossing of the Delaware River and attacks Trenton. He follows this up with an attack on Princeton, resulting in the British retreating back to New York city.

Battle at Saratoga, American VictoryFrom their headquarters in New York city, the British attempt a two prong effort. They successfully attack Philadelphia to the south. At the same time, the British try to separate the New England Colonies from the rest by attacking north up the Hudson River. The British army eventually surrenders to the Americans. This victory leads to the French alliance, which will take months to confirm.

Baron Von Steuben Trains Troops at Valley ForgeAs the British occupy Philadelphia, the American troops suffer during winter quarters. While there Baron Von Steuben trains them and they become more “professional” as soldiers.

YorktownAmerican Victory

After suffering defeats in the south, the General Cornwallis takes his British army and retreats to Yorktown where they are surrounded by American and French land forces and the French navy. The British surrender.

After Cornwallis’s defeat , the British cannot afford to fight in the Americas anymore and so decide to come to terms. The United States of America is recognized as independent from Great Britain. England maintains its right to Canada while the Spanish retain their claims to the lands west of the Mississippi River.

Spanish Territory

Notes Sheet for Revolutionary War order of Events.

Event Name1) ______________2) ______________3) ______________4) Declaration of Independence

5) ______________6) ______________7) ______________8) ______________9) ______________10) ______________

Why precedes or follows other events:

1) _________________________________2) _________________________________3) _________________________________4) _ Colonists not ready to declare independence until after reading Common

Sense

5) _________________________________6) _________________________________7) _________________________________8) _________________________________9) _________________________________10) _________________________________