The War of Independence 1775-83

The Second Continental Congress begins

Battle of Bunker Hill, in which the British scrape victory

The Secret Committee is established

Congress appoint a committee of 13 men, one from each state

12/13 colonies voted for the Declaration of Independence

Congress declare independence

First draft of the Articles of Confederation presented to the Continental Congress

British forces land in New York

An expeditionary force of over 32,000 British regulars defeat Washington's troops at Kip's Bay and invade Manhattan

After 6 weeks crammed onboard, British soldiers land at Chesapeake Bay, barely 64km closer to Philadelphia than they had been before

Howe defeats Washington at Brandywine Creek

Another British victory at Paoli

Howe captures Philadelphia

Washington launches a counter-attack at Germantown, in which the Americans suffer 1000+ casualties, 2x more than the British

Burgoyne surrenders at Saratoga

Rather than attacking the Americans, Howe decides to spend the winter in Philadelphia, failing to win a decisive victory yet again

The Continental Congress adopts the Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation are submitted to the states, with a request for ratification

Official Franco American alliance

Clinton leaves for New York, with 10,000 soldiers and a 20km baggage train

The British rear-guard is unsuccessfully attacked at Monmouth Court

Clinton sends a 3,000-strong army led by Colonel Campbell to Georgia

British Colonel Campbell captures Savannah, only losing 3 soldiers and capturing 500 American prisoners

Spain join the war

Augusta is captured by Campbell.

The British defeat patriot forces at Briar Creek

Congress is virtually bankrupt

General Cornwallis besieges Charleston with 7600 men

General Lincoln surrenders to the British, who capture 5000 Americans, 343 artillery pieces and 6000 muskets

Colonel Banastre Tarleton and 300 dragoons defeat 350 virginians at Waxhaw Creek

Commander of continental forces in the south, Horatio Gates, leads an army of over 3000 men into South Carolina

Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown

The Articles of Confederation is finally ratified by all 13 states, as Maryland sign

Lord North resigns

Treaty of Paris