-
Battles of Concord and Lexington (MA)
Know as the famous "shot heard round the world". These battles marked the official beginning of the American Revolution. These battles were politically disastrous for Great Britain and it helped convince many of the American people to join the fight for independence. -
Battle of Bunker Hill (MA)
This battle was a technically a victory for the British, but they didn't walk away unscathed. They suffered almost twice as many casualties as the Americans. This battle proved that even though most of the continental army/militia were untrained they were still able kill more soldiers than the British. *(The United States considered this battle to be a victory for them, since they walked away with less casualties). -
Battle of Long Island
Great Britain successfully moved against General George Washington and his Continental Army. George Washington and his army were forced to retreat all the way into Pennsylvania. The British remained in control of New York City for the rest of the Revolutionary War. -
Battles of Trenton and Princeton (NJ)
This was a series of confrontations between the Continental Army and the British and Hessian forces. This was a calculated and successful victory for the US Continental Army. These victories restored American's confidence in the war and in General George Washington. -
Battle of Ft. Ticonderoga (NY)
This battle was a surprise attack on the British and the first rebel victory for the Revolutionary War. Ft. Ticonderoga had become a small, and poorly maintained fort for the British and the Americans wanted that fort because of it's location and importance. American rebels crossed the lake in between them and the redcoats and surprise attacked the British and successfully captured the fort. -
Battle of Brandywine Creek (PA)
General George Washington and the Continental Army were very determined not to let the British forces capture the American seat of government in Philadelphia. Washington had soldiers posted all around Brandywine Creek. Unfortunately, Washington's forces hadn't blocked all posts and the line fell. This resulted in a British victory and the capture of the American seat of government. -
Battle of Saratoga (NY)
This win was another turning point for the US Continental Army, this battle convince the French, Spanish, and Dutch military forces to join the battle to defect their mutual enemy. -
Battle of Charleston
Decisive success for the British redcoats. The British soldiers gained control of the South and the US lost many Continental soldiers due to the surrender to the British. -
Battle of Cowpens (SC)
This was the most decisive victory for Americans during the entire American Revolution. During this battle more British soldiers were lost than could be replaced in time to plan a counter attack and ultimately led to a surrender by British General Cornwallis at Yorktown later that year. -
Yorktown/Surrender (VA)
The British General Cornwallis' surrender in Yorktown, successfully ended the Revolutionary War between Great Britain and America. The British didn't have the proper funds to continue with the war and they had lost too many soldiers to keep up the fighting in time for more troops to arrive. The British then appealed to the US for peace, and two years later the Treaty of Paris was signed and the war had officially ended.
