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Battle of Lexington and Concord
First battle of the Revolution, the British had marched to Lexington to arrest John Hancock and Sam Adams but eventually started the war by a shooting that happened named the "shots heard round the world." -
The Beginning of the Revolutionary War
After much tension had come to the attentions of the colonies and Great Britain, America had decided enough was enough with being aligned with the British. War was declared on the British for at first, representational reasons and then for independence. -
George Washington Takes Command of the Continental Army
The Continental Congress created the Continental Army to be the main, organized military for the war. They needed a commander in chief and George Washington was unanimously chosen. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Fought on Breed's Hill, the battle was a siege on Boston by the Americans until the British overran them. Great loses by the Americans but inflicted even more on the British. -
Common Sense Published
Written by Thomas Paine, it was a propaganda pamphlet to sway the Americans to hate the English Constitution. (Fun Fact: Is the all-time best selling American Title) -
Failed Invasion of Canada
Benedict Arnold and Richard Montgomery led an invasion on Canada to sway them and help with fighting the British. Invasion had failed and even diplomatic reasoning failed. -
Declaration of Independence
Drafted by Thomas Jefferson with the help of Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. The document was a declaration that the colonies want to separate from the Crown and want no allegiance to them. -
Battle of Trenton
The Hessian troops decided to settle down in Trenton for Christmas. George Washington decided to cross the Delaware River and with a surprise attack, captured Trenton. -
Victory at Saratoga
Gen. William Howe had been surrounded at Saratoga by the Americans and had to surrender his troops. This led to the formal alliance between America and France. -
Adoption of the Articles of Confederation
The 2nd Continental Congress created the Articles of Confederation to become the constitution for the new nation. -
Battle of Yorktown
Washington, with the help of French troops, cornered Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown by land and sea. Cornwallis surrendered to the Americans, ending the war. -
Treaty of Paris
The Peace Treaty that formally ended the Revolutionary War and allowed the Americans to have complete autonomy from Britain and broke away from their allegiance. Also gave a bunch of land to America. -
Ordinance of 1784
Proposal by Thomas Jefferson to break up the land west of the Appalachians into districts. Also allowed these areas to be able to apply for statehood if reached a certain population -
Shay's Rebellion
Led by veteran, Daniel Shays, this revolt stopped the collection of debts and stopped courts from sitting. Tried to capture an arsenal but was suppressed before then -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Abandoned the district system and combined the lands into 5 territories. Outlawed slavery in the territories.