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Paul Revere rode to warn colonial militias that British troops were marching toward Concord to seize military supplies. He and other riders alerted the countryside using a signal from Boston's Old North Church. Revere's ride was an essential part of the alert system that enabled the militias to confront the British, leading to the first battles of the Revolution at Lexington and Concord. -
British troops marched from Boston to Concord to seize colonial military supplies. Alerted by Paul Revere, colonial militiamen confronted the British. The first shots of the war were fired at Lexington, and the British were later routed in Concord. These battles, the "shot heard 'round the world," marked the start of the Revolutionary War and showed the colonists' serious commitment to armed resistance. -
Fought mostly on Breed's Hill near Boston, American forces fortified the hill overlooking the city. British forces, led by General Howe, assaulted the position. After two failed attempts, the British succeeded on their third try after the Americans ran out of ammunition. However, the British suffered heavy casualties.The high number of British casualties proved that American militiamen could stand and fight against the professional British Army, boosting American morale. -
A series of pamphlets written by Thomas Paine, known for the opening line, "These are the times that try men's souls". The essays were written to rally soldiers and civilians during a period of low morale. Paine's writings boosted the spirits of the Continental Army and the public, helping to inspire the troops before the crucial victories at Trenton and Princeton. -
Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Second Continental Congress, the Declaration declared the thirteen colonies as independent states. It outlined the rights of man and listed grievances against the British king. The Declaration officially marked the American colonies' break from Great Britain, paving the way for foreign alliances and providing a philosophical foundation for the new nation. -
Amidst low morale, General Washington and his army crossed the icy Delaware River from Pennsylvania to New Jersey in a surprise nighttime operation. This daring maneuver directly led to the crucial American victory at the Battle of Trenton, revitalizing the Continental Army and demonstrating Washington's effective leadership.
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After crossing the Delaware, Washington's forces launched a surprise attack on Hessian mercenaries in Trenton, New Jersey. The Hessians were caught unprepared and were swiftly defeated, with the Americans suffering very few casualties. This victory was a vital turning point, restoring morale to the American army and persuading many soldiers to reenlist, thereby saving the Continental Army from collapse. -
British forces under General Howe launched a campaign to capture Philadelphia, forcing the Continental Congress to flee. The British occupied the city for eight months. Following the French alliance with the Americans, the British evacuated Philadelphia to consolidate forces in New York. The loss of the capital was a symbolic blow, but the subsequent British evacuation showed a change in strategy and boosted American confidence following the alliance with France. -
American forces defeated British General John Burgoyne's army in two battles near Saratoga, New York, forcing his surrender. This decisive American victory was a major turning point, convincing France to formally ally with the American colonies. French support, including naval power, proved crucial to winning the war.
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Following the loss of Philadelphia, General George Washington's army endured a harsh winter encampment. Soldiers faced disease and starvation, with around 2,000 deaths. However, under Washington's leadership and training from Baron von Steuben, the army emerged as a more disciplined force. This period of intense hardship and training was crucial for the army's transformation into a professional fighting force, symbolizing American perseverance and resolve.
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A combined American and French force, led by George Washington, surrounded British General Charles Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia. With the French navy blocking his escape, Cornwallis was forced to surrender. This was the last major battle of the war, and Cornwallis's surrender effectively ended the British war effort and secured American independence.
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The treaty was signed by American and British representatives in Paris, officially ending the Revolutionary War. It formally recognized the United States as an independent and sovereign nation and established its boundaries. This treaty was the formal end to the war, securing American independence and sovereignty from Great Britain.