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Lexington and Concord
British troops were sent to Boston capture colonial military supplies and arrest John Hancock and Samuel Adams. While the British were marching into the city the militia sent to meet them began to retreat realizing the far superior British forces. During the retreat someone fired their gun and the British began firing on the colonists. Known as the "shot hear around the world", it triggered the beginning of the war. -
Fort Ticonderoga
Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold led the continental army in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga. The British were caught off guard and thus led to a quick battle. His battle was important because it was the first battle won for the continental army in the war and Fort Ticonderoga gave much needed artillery to the colonists. -
Bunker Hill
Revolutionists led by William Prescott are defeated at Breed's hill just outside of Boston by the British. This battle was significant because the casualties on the British were much larger than that of the Revolutionists and thus gave a much needed confidence booster. -
Battles of Trenton and Princeton
General Washington led troops across the Delaware river to attack , and defeat,a group of Hessian mercenaries. 10 days later Washington returned then led a successful attack on Princeton. These battles greatly United the Continental army and gave much encouragement to the colonists. -
Battle of Saratoga
Benedict Arnold led 17,000 men against the retreating British at Bemis heights. The colonists decimate dthe British force. This battle proved the colonial army could defeat sizable British enemies and it showed the British it would be a long expensive war. -
Siege of Charleston
General Benjamin Lincoln surrendered to British commander sir Henry Clinton whilst trying to defend the harbor at charleston. This was the worst loss of the war for the colonists losing over 3,000 men and much supplies. -
King's Mountain
William Campbell led American frontiersmen against British loyalists in South Carolina. During this battle the British surrendered but the American frontiersmen slaughtered them in cold blood. This battle showed great marksmanship of the frontiersmen but also the ruthlessness of the war. -
Battle of Yorktown
The last stronghold of the British was at Yorktown. French troops had blocked the British naval fleets from escape and Washington saw his oppurtunity to launch an attack on the base. This battle was important because it effectively ended the Revolutionary War.
