New England Phase 1 (1775-1776)

A significant event in the American Revolutionary War where General George Washington led his troops across the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776, surprising and defeating Hessian soldiers in Trenton, New Jersey.

The British, under General William Howe, were well-equipped, experienced, and disciplined soldiers. In contrast, the Continental Army under Washington was poorly supplied, lacking discipline, and had little combat experience.

The tactics used in the American Revolutionary War were often influenced by the changing seasons, with fighting typically occurring during warmer months and slowing down during the harsh winters.

British General William Howe initially intended to intimidate American colonists into submission rather than engage in direct combat. However, this strategy changed after news of the Declaration of Independence reached New York City.

The Continental Army faced a period of significant hardship and low morale, with some soldiers deserting due to challenging conditions and setbacks.

Thomas Paine, author of Common Sense, wrote 'The Crisis,' a pamphlet that aimed to boost morale and support for the American cause during times of adversity.

The British forces threatened Philadelphia, causing a decline in Patriot morale and leading to desertions within Washington's army.

The Continental Army was forced to retreat from New York City and then chased across New York and New Jersey until they crossed the Delaware River into Pennsylvania.

The Second Continental Congress was formed in May 1775 to address the conflict with Britain. It made important decisions like creating the Continental Army under George Washington's command and issuing paper money to finance the war.

The Olive Branch Petition was a desperate attempt by the colonists to avoid war with Britain. It was a plea to King George III to stop the fighting and resolve disputes peacefully, but it was ignored.

The Declaration of the Causes and Necessities of Taking Up Arms was a statement by the colonists outlining their reasons for fighting the British. It declared their willingness to defend their rights and freedom.

The Battle of Bunker Hill was a major American victory in the early stages of the Revolutionary War. The American colonists held off the British, but the British ultimately took the position after heavy losses.

Fort Ticonderoga was a strategically important fort located on Lake Champlain. It was captured by colonists led by Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys, providing the Continental Army with vital weapons.

The Siege of Boston was a period when the American colonists surrounded British troops in the city. Using cannons captured at Fort Ticonderoga, George Washington forced the British evacuation of Boston, marking a significant American victory.

The invasion of Canada was a dual attempt by the Americans to expand their territory and disrupt British supply lines. The campaign involved two American armies marching north under Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold, but ultimately ended in failure.

New York City became a key target for the British after their retreat from Boston. It was the largest city in the colonies and its capture was seen as a crucial step to defeat the rebellion.

The Battle of Brooklyn was a major defeat for the Continental Army. Washington's forces were outnumbered and outmaneuvered by the British, losing control of the city, and the British established a strong foothold in the region.

The Declaration of Independence was a document that formally declared the thirteen American colonies independent from British rule. This was a pivotal moment signifying the start of a new nation.

Soldiers who are paid to fight for a country other than their own.

The British plan to capture Albany, NY from three directions backfired, leading to the British forces in the west being cut off and General Howe attacking Philadelphia instead of heading north.

The Continental Congress retreated to York, Pennsylvania after the British captured Philadelphia, which General Howe believed would end the war.

American General Horatio Gates took command of the Continental Army in upstate New York, where British General John Burgoyne had suffered two defeats, after British General John Burgoyne marched south from Quebec and retook Fort Ticonderoga.

American General Horatio Gates defeated British General John Burgoyne's army near Saratoga, New York, cutting off their supplies and any help, leading to the surrender of 5,000 British soldiers on October 17, 1777.

The Battle of Saratoga marked a turning point in the war, ending the British threat to New England and raising the morale of the Patriots, leading to the involvement of other European nations in supporting the American cause.

The British could have won the war at this stage, but their mistakes allowed the Americans to regroup. General Howe's abandonment of the northern campaign left Burgoyne vulnerable, and his refusal to attack the weakened Continental Army near Philadelphia gave the Americans a chance to recover.

Washington's army camped at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania during the harsh winter of 1777-1778, facing severe shortages of clothing, housing, and food, relying on the aid of women from across America to provide supplies.

In February 1778, France openly supported the independence of the United States and formed an alliance, a formal agreement to work together toward a common goal, with the new nation, after previously secretly supplying the Americans, seeing an opportunity to weaken Britain.

The British hoped to undermine the revolution from within by enlisting the help of colonists they believed were Loyalists, especially in the South, but they underestimated the support for independence in places like Virginia.

The British promised freedom to slaves who joined their side, angering Southern whites and contributing to the complex divisions in the war.

The British, due to their logistics challenges, struggled to maintain their troops in the field, while the Patriots blended seamlessly with the local population.

General Clinton's new strategy shifted the focus south where the British hoped to exploit pro-British sentiment among Loyalist colonists.

Benedict Arnold's betrayal of the Continental Army by attempting to hand over West Point to the British in exchange for a pardon and commission.

This marked the start of a new phase of the war where the British attempted to secure the Southern colonies for control of resources and Loyalist support.

The British were initially successful in winning conventional battles in the South, but faced challenges when Patriot forces used guerilla tactics.

General Nathanael Greene, replacing Horatio Gates, implemented a strategy of harassing and weakening the larger British army in the South by dividing his forces and avoiding direct, large-scale engagement.

Greene's forces, despite being outnumbered, inflicted significant losses on Cornwallis at the Battle of Cowpens, demonstrating the effectiveness of their strategy.

While the French navy blocked any potential escape by sea, Washington and Rochambeau's American and French forces simultaneously marched toward Yorktown, Virginia, trapping Cornwallis.

The decisive Battle of Yorktown resulted in Cornwallis's surrender and marked a significant turning point in the Revolutionary War, ultimately leading to American independence.