W25:D2 - The American Revolution - The End of the War and the Afermath that Came From It- Adventure

Recapping the War: Timeline of Major Events and Battles Leading to the End (American Revolution)

Prelude to War (1763–1775)

• 1763: Treaty of Paris (1763) ends the French and Indian War. Britain gains control of French territories in North America, leading to increasing colonial resentment over taxes and governance.
• March 5, 1770: Boston Massacre – British soldiers kill five colonists in a confrontation, fueling anti-British sentiment.
• December 16, 1773: Boston Tea Party – American colonists protest British taxation by dumping tea into Boston Harbor.
• 1774: Intolerable Acts – Britain imposes punitive measures on Massachusetts following the Boston Tea Party.
• September 1774: First Continental Congress convenes in Philadelphia, uniting colonial leaders to discuss resistance against British policies.

 

Outbreak of War (1775)

• April 19, 1775: Battles of Lexington and Concord – The first military engagements of the American Revolution; "the shot heard 'round the world."
• June 17, 1775: Battle of Bunker Hill – Though a British victory, the Americans demonstrate they can stand up to British regulars.
• May 10, 1775: Second Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia, establishing the Continental Army with George Washington as its commander.

 

1776 – Declaration of Independence

• March 17, 1776: British evacuation of Boston – After a successful siege by Washington's troops, British forces leave Boston.
• July 4, 1776: Declaration of Independence is adopted by the Continental Congress, marking the formal break from Britain.
• August 27, 1776: Battle of Long Island – Major British victory; Washington’s forces retreat across the East River under cover of darkness.
• December 25, 1776: Washington crosses the Delaware River and wins the Battle of Trenton – a surprise attack against Hessian forces.

 

1777 – Turning Point of the War

• September 11, 1777: Battle of Brandywine – British forces defeat Washington and capture Philadelphia, the American capital.
• October 17, 1777: Battle of Saratoga – British General John Burgoyne surrenders to American forces, marking a decisive American victory and convincing France to join the war on the American side.

 

1778 – French Involvement

• February 6, 1778: Treaty of Alliance between France and the United States is signed, bringing France into the war against Britain.
• June 28, 1778: Battle of Monmouth – A major battle in New Jersey ends in a draw, but the Continental Army shows improved discipline.

 

1779 – Expanding the Conflict

• 1779: The war expands globally, with Spain entering the war as an ally of France (though not directly allied with the U.S.). Britain is forced to fight on multiple fronts.
• September 23, 1779: Battle of Flamborough Head – American naval commander John Paul Jones wins a significant victory against the British.

 

1780 – A Year of Challenges

• May 12, 1780: Siege of Charleston – British forces capture Charleston, South Carolina, marking one of the worst American defeats of the war.
• August 16, 1780: Battle of Camden – Another major British victory in South Carolina; American forces under General Horatio Gates are routed.
• September 1780: Benedict Arnold’s treason is uncovered, a major scandal for the American cause, but British plans to take West Point are thwarted.

 

1781 – The Southern Campaign and Victory at Yorktown

• January 17, 1781: Battle of Cowpens – American forces under General Daniel Morgan defeat the British in South Carolina, dealing a major blow to British operations in the South.
• March 15, 1781: Battle of Guilford Courthouse – British forces win a costly victory in North Carolina but are severely weakened.
• September 5, 1781: Battle of the Chesapeake – A French naval victory prevents British reinforcements from reaching General Cornwallis in Virginia.
• October 19, 1781: Siege of Yorktown – British General Cornwallis surrenders to American and French forces, effectively ending major military operations in North America.

 

Post-Yorktown (1781–1783)

• 1782: Skirmishes and minor battles continue as British forces remain in control of key cities like New York, Charleston, and Savannah. British troops begin evacuating major posts.
• April 12, 1782: Battle of the Saintes – A decisive British naval victory in the Caribbean during ongoing global conflict.
• November 30, 1782: Preliminary articles of peace are signed between the United States and Britain, paving the way for a final treaty.

 

1783 – Treaty of Paris

• September 3, 1783: Treaty of Paris is signed, formally ending the American Revolutionary War. Britain recognizes the independence of the United States, and new boundaries for the nation are set.

 

Key Outcomes of the Treaty of Paris (1783):

• Britain recognizes the United States' independence.
• U.S. boundaries are established: The Mississippi River to the west, Canada to the north, and Florida (returned to Spain) to the south.
• Americans are granted fishing rights off the coast of Newfoundland.
• British troops agree to withdraw from American territory, and the United States agrees to restore property and rights to Loyalists.

 

The Treaty of Paris (1783) marked the formal end of the American Revolution, but it took years of hard-fought battles, diplomacy, and sacrifice to secure American independence. From Lexington and Concord to Yorktown, and through countless other skirmishes and campaigns, the war's end reshaped the political landscape of the world and gave birth to a new nation.