Timeline

1. January Mar 18 Jul 2 Aug 27 & Sep 15 Dec 25 & Jan 3 Jun 23 - Oct 17 Oct 4 Oct 19 Winter Common Sense published British abandon Boston “Unanimous Declaration” Battles of Long Island & New York Battles of Trenton & Princeton Battle of Saratoga Battle of Brandywine Occupation of Philadelphia Valley Forge Timeline 1776 1777

2. 1776 • Common Sense published in January.

3. 1776 • Siege of Boston continues • March 5 Washington begins his assault • Very detailed with multiple troop movements • British prepare countermoves • Huge storm – a “hurrycane” prevents conflict • March 13 British abandon Boston • Combination of intractable populace & military opportunity • Troops join in later assault on New York

4. 1776 • Continental Army • trouble with enlistment - set term at 3 years • poor pay – would rather join militia • states assigned number of troops to raise • cash bonus to enlist • promise of 100 acres.

5. 1776 • British assumptions for the war • show of force in New England would not be sufficient • retain loyalty of “silent majority” • capture major colonial cities • defeat rebels in one decisive battle.

6. 1776 • British armies number 50,000 • Hessian mercenaries of 30,000 • Half of British fleet in support

7. 1776 • July 1776 British army from Boston and from England land on Long Island

8. Declaring Independence Signing “The Unanimous Declaration of the 13 United States of America”July 2, 1776

9. Declaring Independence The Far Side - Gary Larson

10. 1776 • August 1776 battle of New York commences • 32,000 British troops (8,000 Hessians) • 23,000 Americans • British easily defeat Americans • Washington’s blunders • Reliance upon the “myth of the militia” • Division of numerically inferior troops • Washington forced to retreat • journey to New Jersey - retreat across the Delaware into Pennsylvania.

11. Campaign for NY and NJ

12. 1776 • British invasion from Canada • Gen. Guy Carleton • Massive army • Nearly 16,000 soldiers + Indian support • Opponent is surviving remnant from American winter invasion of Canada • 3,500 dispirited soldiers further weakened by smallpox • Led by Brigadier Gen. Arnold

13. 1776 • British invasion from Canada • Carleton moves south and builds a fleet to travel down Lake Champlain • General (!) Arnold hastily builds a fleet of 13 row galleys and gondolas • Sails north and dares the British to fight • British Fleet includes 24 gunboats, 2 well armed schooners, & a huge artillery raft called the Thunderer

14. 1776 • British invasion from Canada • At the last minute learns the British are building a 180-ton man-of-war HMS Inflexible • Arnold retreats but because of his daring maneuver Carleton is unwilling to advance without the Inflexible • Against the pleas of his staff, Carleton waits four weeks for the completion of the ship • October 11, 1776 the fleets fight for six hours • Arnold keeps his outclassed ships together till nightfall and then retreats • Over three day period British sink all but five of the American ships

15. 1776 • British invasion from Canada • Troops arrive at Ft. Ticonderoga • Unable to complete siege before winter begins • British forced to retreat to Canada • Benedict Arnold military hero of the revolution

16. Washington crossing the Delaware - Dec 7

17. Far Side - Gary Larson

18. Christmas night 1776 re-cross Delaware and attack Hessian held Trenton, NJ 1000 Hessian troops caught by surprise and surrender. 1776 Surrender of the Hessians at Trenton

19. Saratoga campaign1777

20. 1777 • John “Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne • approved to lead attack from Canada • Begins June 23 • June sets out with 7700 Redcoats, 2000 women, elaborate baggage train (including commander’s silver dining service, dress uniforms and cases of champagne)

21. SaratogaCampaign

22. 1777 • New England militia Americans under Horatio Gates assemble near Saratoga • Gates fortifies Bemis Heights • Hopes British will attack fortifications • To gain glory for himself orders Benedict Arnold to remain in his tent • Arnold disobeys orders and leads spirited attack that halts British advance

23. 1777 • Burgoyne runs low on rations • Foraging expedition defeated by General Stark at battle of Bennington – nearly 1000 British killed or captured • Burgoyne’s remaining 5,871 troops are surrounded • Oct 17 surrender changes course of war.

24. Surrender of Burgoyne

25. Philadelphia campaign1776-77

26. 1777 • Invasion of Philadelphia to coerce surrender • British troops move by sea instead of supporting Burgoyne • Washington moves to block capture of Philadelphia • colonials defeated twice • September at Brandywine creek • August at Germantown • British troop movement stirs up anger with British and many join rebels.

27. 1777 • Occupation of Philadelphia • Loyalists in the city celebrate • American army spends winter at Valley Forge. Congress arrives to view the atrocious conditions

28. 1778 • France signs peace treaty with United States • transition from clandestine support dating from 1776 • Franklin in Paris - “homespun sage” • word of Saratoga victory = February sign two treaties • commerce and friendship and a treaty of alliance • both sides agree to nothing short of total independence • French renounce all claims in continental North America.

29. Franklin signing treaty with France

30. 1778 • French involvement changes pattern of war • international troop demands pull troops from America • British troops pull out of Philadelphia and march to New York City • garrison Newport and New York City • seaborne attacks along New England coast.

31. Naval War Congressional instructions in 1780 (reprinted by Franklin 1781) • Privateers and limited gunpowder • enough for 9 shots each • bring in over 2 tons by 1777.