1. War for Independence
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2. Battles of Lexington & Concord 1775
1st battles
Redcoats hoped to capture Patriot leaders & weapons in Lexington & Concord, MA
Known as the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World!”
Paul Revere rode to the towns to warn colonists of British intentions
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3. Winter at Valley Forge 1777
Washington took his army to Valley Forge after suffering several defeats
Troops trained and transformed from a militia to a professional army
Harsh winter resulted in casualties as the men suffered from starvation and frostbite
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4. Battle of Saratoga 1777 Called the “turning point” battle
American victory that convinced France to form an alliance with the colonists
French navy sent ships to support the American cause
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5. Battle of Yorktown 1781 Last battle
American victory won by combined French and American forces
General Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington
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6. Treaty of Paris of 1783 Officially ended the War
Forced Britain to recognize American independence
Gave the U.S. claim to England’s land which extended to Canada in the North, the Mississippi River in the West, and Florida in the South
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7. Why did America win? Americans fought on their own territory
Americans got support & supplies from France & Spain
Americans had a strong desire to be independent from England
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