American Revolution Timeline

The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. The battles were fought on April 19, 1775 in Massachusetts between the American colonists and British soldiers. The events began when British troops were sent to seize colonial militia weapons. The first shots were fired at Lexington, and the American militia was quickly overwhelmed. The British then moved on to Concord, where they searched for hidden weapons but found very little. As the British retreated to Boston, the colonists continuously ambushed them along the way, causing heavy casualties. This marked the beginning of the war for independence for the American colonies.

Image source: Battles of Lexington and Concord

The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775, during the early stages of the American Revolution. It was one of the first major battles of the war and marked a significant point in the conflict. The battle was fought between the American Continental Army, led by Colonel William Prescott, and British forces commanded by Major General William Howe. The American forces fortified Breed's Hill, which was mistakenly identified as Bunker Hill, leading to the battle being named as such. The British launched multiple attacks on the American position, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. While the British eventually captured the hill, the Americans put up a strong resistance and inflicted significant losses on the enemy. The battle demonstrated the determination and fighting spirit of the American soldiers and boosted their morale. Despite the American loss, the battle was considered a strategic and moral victory as it proved that the colonists could stand up to the powerful British army. The Battle of Bunker Hill inspired future American revolutionaries and instilled a belief in their ability to fight for independence.

Image source: Battle of Bunker Hill

The Battle of Trenton took place on December 26, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War. It was a pivotal battle in which George Washington and his Continental Army crossed the Delaware River in a surprise attack on Hessian forces. The American victory at Trenton provided a much-needed boost to morale and demonstrated the determination and resilience of the Continental Army.

Image source: Battle of Trenton

The Battle of Saratoga was a turning point in the American Revolution. It took place from September 19 to October 17, 1777, in Saratoga, New York. The battle was fought between the British forces, led by General John Burgoyne, and the American forces, led by General Horatio Gates. The Americans were able to defeat the British, resulting in the surrender of General Burgoyne and his troops. This victory boosted morale for the American cause and convinced France to officially ally with the Americans in their fight for independence.

Image source: Battles of Saratoga

Valley Forge winter encampment was a critical event during the American Revolution. It took place from December 19, 1777, to June 19, 1778, in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The Continental Army, led by General George Washington, established their winter quarters at Valley Forge after suffering a series of defeats and retreating from British forces. The conditions at Valley Forge were harsh, with soldiers facing extreme cold, hunger, and disease. However, the winter encampment also proved to be a turning point for the Continental Army. Under the leadership of General Washington, the soldiers at Valley Forge underwent intense training, discipline, and reorganization. They emerged in the spring of 1778 as a more unified and disciplined fighting force, better prepared to face the British. The Valley Forge winter encampment symbolizes the resilience and determination of the Continental Army and their commitment to the cause of American independence.

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The Battle of Yorktown was the last major land battle of the American Revolution. It took place from September 28 to October 19, 1781, in Yorktown, Virginia. The American forces, led by General George Washington, along with French forces commanded by General Comte de Rochambeau, besieged the British army under General Charles Cornwallis. The American and French troops successfully surrounded and bombarded Yorktown, forcing Cornwallis to surrender. This victory ultimately led to the end of the war and the recognition of American independence.

Image source: Siege of Yorktown

The Olive Branch Petition was a final attempt by the colonists to avoid going to war with Great Britain. It was sent to King George III on July 8, 1775, as a plea for peace and reconciliation. The petition expressed the colonists' loyalty to the king and their desire for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. However, the king rejected the petition and instead declared the colonies to be in a state of rebellion.

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France formally allies with the American Revolution on February 6, 1778. This alliance is a turning point in the war as France provides financial, military, and naval support to the American colonies. The Treaty of Alliance, signed in Paris, establishes a formal alliance between France and the United States, promising mutual assistance in the event of war with Great Britain. French aid plays a crucial role in American victories, such as the Battle of Yorktown, and ultimately helps secure American independence.

The Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783, officially ending the American Revolutionary War between Great Britain and the United States of America. The treaty recognized the independence of the United States and established its boundaries. It also granted fishing rights to American fishermen in the North Atlantic and resolved issues related to loyalist property rights. The signing of the Treaty of Paris marked the formal conclusion of the war and the beginning of a new era for the United States as a sovereign nation.

Image source: Treaty of Paris (1783)

The Jay Treaty was signed on November 19, 1794, between the United States and Great Britain. It was negotiated by Chief Justice John Jay and aimed to settle various issues between the two countries, including trade disputes, British military presence on the American frontier, and the seizure of American ships. The treaty also sought to improve diplomatic relations and prevent another war between the United States and Great Britain. While controversial at the time, the Jay Treaty ultimately helped ease tensions and preserve peace between the two nations.

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George Washington was elected as the first President of the United States on April 30, 1789. He took the oath of office in New York City and served two terms, from 1789 to 1797. Washington's election marked the beginning of the presidency as outlined in the newly ratified United States Constitution.

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Alexander Hamilton becomes Secretary of the Treasury on September 11, 1789. As Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton played a key role in shaping the economic policies of the United States. He advocated for a strong central government and a national bank, and his financial plans helped stabilize the economy and establish the credit of the new nation. Hamilton's tenure as Secretary of the Treasury was marked by his clashes with political opponents, including Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, over issues such as the national debt and the establishment of a national bank. Despite these conflicts, Hamilton's leadership in economic matters laid the foundation for the financial success of the United States.

The Whiskey Rebellion was a violent tax protest in the United States beginning in 1791 and ending in 1794 during the presidency of George Washington. The rebellion was primarily caused by the imposition of a federal excise tax on distilled spirits, which angered farmers and rural dwellers who produced whiskey. In July 1794, the rebellion reached its peak when a group of rebels attacked and destroyed the home of a tax collector in Pennsylvania. President Washington responded by mobilizing a military force of approximately 13,000 soldiers to suppress the rebellion. The rebellion was ultimately crushed, and its leaders were arrested and tried for treason.

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Washington's Farewell Address was a letter written by George Washington to the American people in 1796, as his second term as president was coming to an end. In the address, Washington warned against political factions and foreign alliances, emphasized the importance of maintaining national unity and the Constitution, and announced his decision to retire from public life. The Farewell Address has become one of the most famous speeches in American history and is often cited as a foundational document of American political tradition.

Image source: George Washington's Farewell Address

The Alien and Sedition Acts were a series of four laws passed by the United States Congress in 1798. These acts were signed into law by President John Adams and were aimed at protecting the United States from foreign influences and internal dissent. The Alien Acts increased the requirements for immigrants to become citizens, allowing the government to deport or imprison any non-citizen deemed 'dangerous' to the country. The Sedition Act made it a crime to criticize the government, with strict penalties for those convicted. These acts were highly controversial and were seen by many as a violation of the First Amendment rights of free speech and press.

The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions were political statements that denounced the Alien and Sedition Acts enacted by the federal government. The resolutions were drafted by Vice President Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, respectively. They argued that states had the right to interpret the Constitution and nullify federal laws that they deemed unconstitutional. The Kentucky Resolution was adopted by the Kentucky General Assembly on November 10, 1798, and the Virginia Resolution was adopted by the Virginia General Assembly on November 21, 1798.

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Thomas Jefferson was elected as the third President of the United States on March 4, 1801. He was the first candidate representing the Democratic-Republican Party to win the presidency. Jefferson served two terms as President, from 1801 to 1809.

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Marbury v. Madison establishes judicial review on February 24, 1803. In this landmark case, the Supreme Court of the United States established its power of judicial review, which allows the court to review the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress.

The Louisiana Purchase was a land deal between the United States and France, in which the U.S. acquired approximately 827,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River for $15 million. The purchase doubled the size of the United States and opened up vast territories for exploration and settlement.

Image source: Louisiana Purchase