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American Revolution

1775 to 1783

After years of rising tensions, fighting between Britain the American colonists finally broke out at Lexington and Concord near Boston MA on April 19, 1775. The British occupied Boston and were besieged by troops under George Washington.

During the first year, hopes for reconciliation remained. However, in the summer of 1776, the colonies unanimously issued their Declaration of Independence and there was no turning back. The British left Boston in 1776 and the was thereafter principally fought in the middle colonies. General William Howe, the British commander, seized [ny:newyork] in 1776 and Philadelphia the following year. After defeating George Washington on Long Island City, the British threatened to control a line from the Hudson River to Canada, but their plans were frustrated at Saratoga Springs.

With the help of the French, American forces gradually gained the upper hand. With the defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown, the fighting effectively ended, but peace did not formally arrive until 1783.