The Battle of Lexington and Concord in April 1775 saw the first major fighting of the American Revolution as British troops attempted to confiscate arms from revolutionaries. In March 1776, George Washington took command of the Continental Army and forced the British to evacuate Boston. By July 1776, as the 13 colonies were ready to declare independence with revolutionary governments in control, most remaining Loyalists had fled.

1. Important moments in the American Revolution By Jacob Cummins

2. Battle of Lexington The Battle of Lexington and Concordtook place April 19, 1775, when the British sent a force of roughly 1000 troops to confiscate arms and arrest revolutionaries in Concord.

3. George Washington takes command In March 1776, with George Washington as commander, the Continental Army forced the British to evacuate Boston, withdrawing their garrison to Halifax. The revolutionaries were in control of governments throughout the 13 colonies and were ready to declare independence

4. Loyalists Flee While there still were many Loyalists, they were no longer in control anywhere and by July 1776, all of the Royal officials had fled.