America Secedes from the Empire

 May 10 th, 1775  Olive Branch Petition  All states present  Raise money to establish an army and navy  George Washington chose as general of Revolutionary Army

 June 1775  The first official battle in the Revolutionary War.  Fought in Charlestown, Massachusetts.  Possession of Bunker Hill (Breeds Hill)  There were three times that the British attacked.

 Thousands of German troops hired  “Hessian flies”  Good soldiers, but not loyal

 In October 1775, the British burned Falmouth (Portland), Maine.  Colonists made an failed attack on Canada in hopes that it would close it off as a possible source for a British striking point.  In January 1776, the British set fire to Norfolk.

 Common Sense (1776) - argued that the colonies had outgrown any need for English domination and that they should be given independence.

 On July 2, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia's resolution of declaring independence was passed.  Thomas Jefferson  Formally approved by Congress on July 4, 1776.

 Loyalists were called "Tories“  Patriots were called "Whigs."  Loyalists -16% of the American population.

 August 1776  British General Howe landed fleet off of Staten Island  Washington and his men escaped to Manhattan Island.  On December 25, 1776: Crossing of the Delaware (Battle of Trenton)

 Separate N.E from southern colonies  British won small battles initially  Surrendered at Saratoga on October 17, 1777 to American general Horatio Gates (Burgoyne's Blunder).  This win made it possible for the urgently needed foreign aid from France.  Turning point in war

 British General Cornwallis defeated waiting for supplies  Surrendered on October 19, 1781.

Jay, Adams, Franklin, Laurens, and William T. Franklin

 Franklin, Adams and Jay  Florida given to Spain  Colonists granted generous boundaries, stretching to the Mississippi on the west, to the Great Lakes on the north, and to Spanish Florida on the south.  The Loyalists were to no longer be prosecuted.