Important Events in the American Revolution

1. Important Events in the American Revolution

2. Crossing the Delaware • Christmas night, 1776 • George Washington and 2,400 American troops • Crossed Delaware River in rowboats • Marched 9 miles to Trenton, New Jersey • December 26 • Surprised more than 900 Hessian troops • Forced them to surrender

3. Battle of Saratoga • June, 1777 • British decide to capture Hudson River Valley to cut off New England from other colonies • British marched south from Canada • Met by American troops in Saratoga • Two months of fighting • Americans won in October • Saratoga helped turn tide of war in American’s favor

4. Valley Forge • Winter 1777-1778 • Worst time of war for Continental Army • Long, snowy winter • Soldiers lived in tents • Food, blankets, and other supplies ran low • Many soldiers sick; about 2,500 died • George Washington’s strong leadership helped army survive; prepared them for upcoming battles

5. Victory at Yorktown • 1781 • American and French troops surrounded Yorktown, Virginia • British General George Cornwallis had headquarters there • Fleet of French ships prevented British from escaping by sea • October 17, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered • Last major battle of the war • Treaty of Versailles signed in 1783 • Officially ended war