The American Revolution overview document outlines key events from 1775-1783, including: - The Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775 where the American militia clashes with British troops, starting the Revolutionary War. - In 1776, the Colonies declare independence on July 4th as the British capture New York City. - A turning point comes in 1777 when the Americans win a victory at Saratoga, prompting France to ally with the United States. - The war culminates in 1781 with Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown after being trapped by Washington and French forces, effectively ending the Revolutionary War. The Treaty of Paris in 1783 establishes the United States as an independent

1. The American Revolution:
An Overview
A Coach Odom Production

2. 1775
April 18 - British troops clash with American militia at Lexington
and Concord while searching for Colonial weapons. British
troops retreat to Boston, where they are surrounded by
American forces.
May – Fort Ticonderoga in
Upstate New York is captured
By the Americans.
June 17 - British troops drive the Colonials from Charlestown
peninsula at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Although successful, the
British suffer 1,150 dead and wounded.

3. 1776
March - General George Washington seizes Dorchester
Heights. Thanks to the arrival of cannons from Fort
Ticonderoga, the British are then
forced to evacuate Boston.
July 4 - The Colonies Declare
Independence.
August-Nov. - British General
Howe wins control of
New York City.
December 26 - Washington takes Trenton, NJ in a surprise
attack.

4. 1777
Jan 3 - Washington defeats
British troops at Princeton.
Sept 9-11 - British win Battle of
Brandywine Creek.
Sept 26 - British General Howe
occupies Philadelphia.
Oct 13 - Americans win
spectacular victory at Saratoga.

5. 1778-1779
February 6 - France allies
with the United States,
promising money and troops.
July – American George
Rogers Clark seizes
Vincennes in modern-day
Illinois.
December 29 - British capture
Savannah, GA.
December 26 (1779) - British
General Clinton sails for
Charleston, SC with 8000
men.

6. 1780
May 12 - British capture
Charleston, SC.
Aug 16 - British Gen.
Cornwallis smashes
American Gen. Gates at
Camden.
Sep 23-25 - American Gen.
Benedict Arnold turns traitor,
His plot to surrender the fort
of West Point is exposed. He
escapes to the British and is
made a British General.

7. 1781
Jan 17 - American Oct 19 - Cornwallis
Gen. Morgan destroys British surrenders, ending the war.
Gen. Tarleton's Army at
Cowpens, SC.
Mar 15 - Cornwallis retreats
to the coast and decides to
invade Virginia after heavy
losses at Guilford
Courthouse, NC.
Sep 28 - Washington and
French Gen. Rochambeau
trap Cornwallis at Yorktown.

8. 1783
The Treaty of Paris is signed, establishing the United States as
an independent nation. The U.S. is given all the land east of
the Mississippi River, and south of the Great Lakes (except
Florida).