What happened at the Battle of Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775)?
Colonial militias fortified Breed’s Hill near Boston. British forces launched frontal assaults, eventually taking the hill but suffering heavy casualties (over 1,000 dead or wounded). The battle proved colonists could stand up to professional soldiers, boosting morale.
Who was George Washington, and how did he become commander of the Continental Army?
In June 1775, the Second Continental Congress appointed George Washington commander-in-chief. His Virginia background helped unite North and South, and his leadership gave the revolution a central figure.
What was the significance of the Olive Branch Petition (July 1775)?
Even after fighting had begun, Congress sent King George III a petition affirming loyalty and seeking peace. The king rejected it, declaring the colonies in open rebellion, closing the door to reconciliation.
What role did Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense (January 1776) play?
Common Sense argued for independence, ridiculed monarchy, and appealed to ordinary colonists with plain language. It sold 120,000 copies in months and shifted public opinion toward full separation from Britain.
Why was the Declaration of Independence adopted on July 4, 1776?
Drafted mainly by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration justified independence by appealing to natural rights and listing grievances against King George III. It marked the colonies’ official break and introduced America as a new nation.
What happened in the Battle of Long Island (August 1776)?
Britain struck hard, defeating Washington’s forces and forcing a retreat from New York City. Washington narrowly escaped with his army, preserving the revolution despite heavy losses.
How did Washington’s crossing of the Delaware on December 25, 1776, change momentum?
Washington led a surprise attack on Hessian mercenaries at Trenton, New Jersey. The daring nighttime crossing revived American morale after months of defeat, proving the Continental Army could win.
What was the significance of the Battle of Princeton (January 1777)?
Days after Trenton, Washington tricked British forces and won at Princeton. These back-to-back victories kept the revolution alive during its darkest winter.
Why was the Battle of Saratoga (October 1777) a turning point?
American forces under Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold surrounded and defeated British General Burgoyne’s army. This victory convinced France that the U.S. could win, leading to a formal alliance.
How did France’s alliance (1778) change the war?
France provided troops, naval support, and financial aid. The war shifted from a colonial rebellion to a global conflict, forcing Britain to fight in the Caribbean, Europe, and beyond.
What role did Spain and the Netherlands play?
Both entered the war against Britain after 1778, stretching British resources. Spain attacked British Florida and Louisiana, while Dutch merchants supplied critical goods to America.
Who was Marquis de Lafayette, and why is he remembered?
A French nobleman, Lafayette volunteered to fight without pay, became a trusted aide to Washington, and lobbied France for greater support. He embodied international solidarity with the American cause.
What was the winter at Valley Forge (1777–1778)?
Washington’s army endured freezing conditions, disease, and starvation near Philadelphia. Despite suffering, discipline improved under Baron von Steuben, a Prussian officer who trained troops in modern tactics.
Who was Baron von Steuben, and what did he contribute?
A Prussian drillmaster, von Steuben whipped the Continental Army into shape at Valley Forge, teaching bayonet drills and battlefield formations. His reforms turned ragtag militias into a credible army.
What role did women play in the war effort?
Women like “Molly Pitcher” carried water and even fought in battle. Others ran farms, businesses, and produced clothing and supplies. Their contributions were vital though often overlooked.
How did Native Americans respond to the Revolution?
Many tribes allied with the British, hoping to stop colonial expansion. Others split between sides. The war devastated Native communities, regardless of allegiance, as land hunger continued after independence.
What role did enslaved Africans play?
Thousands sought freedom by joining the British, who promised emancipation. Others served in the Continental Army. The Revolution’s rhetoric of liberty clashed with the persistence of slavery, deepening contradictions in American society.
Who was Benedict Arnold, and why is he infamous?
Once a hero of Saratoga, Arnold felt underappreciated and in 1780 plotted to surrender West Point to the British. His betrayal shocked Americans and symbolized the internal struggles of the revolution.
What was the significance of the Southern Campaign (1780–1781)?
Britain shifted focus south, hoping to rally Loyalists. Initial victories at Charleston and Camden gave way to brutal guerrilla warfare. American partisans like Francis Marion (“Swamp Fox”) harassed British forces, eroding their control.
What happened at the Battle of Cowpens (January 1781)?
Daniel Morgan used clever tactics, luring British forces into a trap. The American victory weakened Cornwallis’s army and boosted morale in the South.
How did Washington trap Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781?
With French naval support under Admiral de Grasse and French troops under Rochambeau, Washington besieged Cornwallis’s army at Yorktown, Virginia. After weeks of bombardment, Cornwallis surrendered on October 19, 1781.
Why was Yorktown the final major battle?
Britain, exhausted and facing global wars, decided the American colonies weren’t worth the cost. Though small skirmishes continued, Yorktown broke political will in London to keep fighting.
What was the Treaty of Paris (1783)?
The treaty officially ended the war. Britain recognized U.S. independence and ceded territory to the Mississippi River. It marked the birth of the United States as a sovereign nation.
How did Enlightenment ideas shape the Revolution?
Thinkers like John Locke influenced the Declaration of Independence, emphasizing natural rights to life, liberty, and property. These ideas justified resistance and inspired democratic movements worldwide.
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Introduction5
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Colonial America25
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Colonial America - Terms13
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Pre Revolution30
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Pre Revolution - Terms9
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Revolution71
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Revolution 2.029
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Post Revolution25
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Post Revolution - Terms8
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Reconstruction21
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Gilded Age21
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Progressive Era32
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Assimilation and Allotment Era21
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Imperialism12
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Isolationism17
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The New Deal16
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Post WWII7
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Civil Rights19
