THE WAR EFFORT
The Revolutionary War was fought from 1775 to 1781 between Great Britain and the American colonists. Many expected militarily powerful Great Britain to defeat the colonist quickly. As the fighting continued, however; it became clear the colonists had some advantages of their own. The change of purpose from “fighting for rights of Englishmen” to “independence from Great Britain” and the fact that France aided the colonists financially and militarily helped the colonists defeat Great Britain.
TIMELINE
1775: British troops, sent to seize colonial supplies, were fired upon by Massachusetts Militia in the Battle of Lexington and Concord. This was called the “shot heard ‘round the world.”
1776: The Declaration of Independence explained to the world why the colonists wanted independence.
1777: The British Parliament belatedly offered the colonists a measure of home rule after British troops surrendered after the Battle of Saratoga in New York. The colonial victory helped assure French aid to the colonies. The victory was a turning point in the war.
1780: Charleston, South Carolina fell to British troops.
1780: General Cornwallis surrendered on October 19 to a combined force of American and French soldiers. This signaled the end to the war, although fighting was to continue for more than a year.