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The American Revolution lasted from April 19, 1775 to September 3, 1783. Within these 8 years, there were key points that were crucial to the outcome of the American Revolution.
First battle - lexington & concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord signaled the start of the American Revolution on April 19, 1775. The British Army set out from Boston to capture rebel leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock in Lexington as well as to get rid of the colonists' storage of weapons and ammunition in Concord. However, as riders such as Paul Revere warned colonists that the British were approaching, Adams and Hancock were able to escape, and the local militia was able to hide their ammunition and weapons.
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The Battle of Lexington was a very small battle. When the British army arrived with Major John Pitcairn, there were only 80 American militiamen, led by Captain John Parker. Neither side expected an actual battle, but amongst the confusion, an unknown gunshot went off, leading to disorder and attacks on both sides. This gunshot was called the "shot heard around the world", marking the beginning of the American Revolution. A few colonists were killed, and most fled.
After the Americans fled from Lexington, the British marched to Concord. They met little resistance, and they began to search the town for the colonists' hidden stash of weapons. The Americans had retreated to the suburbs of Concord and observed the British from the other side of the North Bridge. More and more militiamen arrived, making the American force stronger and stronger. FInally, the Americans decided to cross the bridge back into Concord. They defeated the British troops, and Colonel Francis Smith of the British Army retreated back to Boston.
By the time the British reached Boston, 73 men were dead, and 174 were wounded. The Americans lost 49 men, and 41 were wounded.
After the Americans fled from Lexington, the British marched to Concord. They met little resistance, and they began to search the town for the colonists' hidden stash of weapons. The Americans had retreated to the suburbs of Concord and observed the British from the other side of the North Bridge. More and more militiamen arrived, making the American force stronger and stronger. FInally, the Americans decided to cross the bridge back into Concord. They defeated the British troops, and Colonel Francis Smith of the British Army retreated back to Boston.
By the time the British reached Boston, 73 men were dead, and 174 were wounded. The Americans lost 49 men, and 41 were wounded.
Turning point - battle of saratoga
General John Burgoyne left Canada in June 1777 with about 8000 British soldiers and Native American warriors. he had planned to move his army south to Albany, New York. He was to meet up with General Howe, who was supposed to march this army north from New York.
However, there was great problems with Burgoyne's plan.
First of all, on a map, the route seemed like an easy invasion plan, but it was filled with wilderness, and his army carried tons of cargo, hampering their way. Second, General Howe had his own ideas and did not stick with Burgoyne's plan. Instead of marching to Albany, Howe went to Philadelphia, the colonists' capital. He hoped to lure George Washington into another major battle. |
However, Washington did not want to risk his army in another big battle and focused on defending the Continental army rather than constantly making moves and attacks. Instead, he made small attacks on Howe's army to gradually weaken them. On October 17, 1777, Burgoyne surrendered in front of his troops.
This was a major turning point because before this victory, most of the world believed the American colonists wouldn't be able to win at all. However, this victory proved that they could fight against the British and possibly win. Soon, France and Spain came into allies of the American colonists. The French government sent money, ammunition, troops, and warships to the Americans, being key in the Battle of Yorktown with their warships blocking the entrance to Chesapeake Bay. The French allying the American colonies was absolutely necessary for the American victory.
This was a major turning point because before this victory, most of the world believed the American colonists wouldn't be able to win at all. However, this victory proved that they could fight against the British and possibly win. Soon, France and Spain came into allies of the American colonists. The French government sent money, ammunition, troops, and warships to the Americans, being key in the Battle of Yorktown with their warships blocking the entrance to Chesapeake Bay. The French allying the American colonies was absolutely necessary for the American victory.
Alternative turning point - battle of trenton
On Christmas Day of 1776, Washington and his army crossed the icy Delaware River in boats and began the 19-mile march towards Trenton in a freezing storm. In Trenton, there were about 1400 Hessians under the leadership of Colonel Johann Rall. Though Rall had received prior warnings of colonial movements, the Hessians were exhausted and unprepared - some were drunk, and many were asleep after the late Christmas celebrations. The German mercenaries (Hessians) quickly surrendered. About 22 Hessians were killed, 92 wounded, 918 captured, and 400 escaped. On the other hand, the Americans only suffered a couple men wounded due to the icy conditions at the Delaware River.
After this event, Hessians were no longer allies of Great Britain, so the British army lost a major source of new trained soldiers and weapons. This also meant the Continental Army had one less group to fight against, affecting their battle tactics and possibility of winning the war. This British defeat and the withdrawal of the Hessians from the war convinced both the British and the colonists that the colonies had a chance in winning the American Revolution.
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final battle - battle of yorktown
Late in 1780, George Washington sent General Nathanael Greene to slow the British in the south. As Greene's army was too small compared to the British, Greene avoided a major battle and led Cornwallis's army on a tiring chase through the south.
In April 1781, Cornwallis and his troops were exhausted, so they moved to Yorktown, a port on Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, for a rest. While Cornwallis and his 9000 British troops were settling in Yorktown, France had sent nearly 5000 troops to join the Continental Army in New York. In August of that year, he also learned that 3000 more troops were to arrive in 29 French Warships. Washington used this information to trap Cornwallis and his armies. The Continental Army along with French troops, 17,000 in total, began to surround Yorktown on land.
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When the French warships arrived, they sealed off Chesapeake's Bay, preventing British naval support or a way for Cornwallis and his troops to escape. After three weeks of nonstop barrage, Cornwallis finally surrendered to Washington at Yorktown on October 17, 1781.