Revolutionary War, Essay Example

The American Revolutionary War occurred between the years of 1775 and 1783. “The conflict arose from growing tensions between residents of Great Britain’s 13 North American colonies and the colonial government, which represented the British crown.” (History Channel, 2011). The conflict consisted of numerous skirmishes and battles that ultimately led with America gaining its independence from Britain in 1783.

In 1775, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence. This document proposed a Continental army to fight against the British forces in order to gain American independence. In 1776, the document was signed and the revolution was in full swing.

In an effort to crush the patriotic rebellion, British forces flocked to New York in July to try to stop the revolution- Washington, the leader of the troops in New York at the time, was forced to retreat to New Jersey. On Christmas however, Washington fought back with a surprise attack against the British, winning another victory over the British.

Saratoga was the turning point in the Revolutionary war. In July, the British troops suffered a devastating loss and surrendered Fort Ticonderoga over to the Americans. The British reacted by defeating American troops at Brandywine Creek a few months later. This battle left the British troops exposed however, and American troops attacked the British at Saratoga, where they ultimately surrendered in the north.

By 1781, Cornwallis’s army was completely surrounded by the American troops and the British was forced to ultimately surrender as a whole, ending the revolution.

Works Cited:

Kindiq, Thomas. “Timeline of the Revolutionary War.” Revolutionary War Timeline. USHistory.org, n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2013 http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/revwartimeline.htm

“American Revolution.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2013. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution