List of American Revolutionary War battles facts for kids

The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) was a big fight for freedom. It was when the thirteen American colonies decided to break away from Great Britain and become their own country. This list tells you about the important battles and military actions that happened during this war. Some actions marked with an asterisk (*) were small events where no one was hurt.

Major Campaigns of the War

The American Revolutionary War involved many different military plans and large-scale operations. These were like big chapters in the story of the war. Here are some of the most important ones:

• Boston campaign (1775–1776): This was one of the first major campaigns. It focused on the city of Boston, where many early tensions began.
• Invasion of Quebec (1775–1776): American forces tried to take control of Canada, hoping to gain support there.
• New York and New Jersey campaigns (1776–1777): After Boston, the fighting moved to New York and New Jersey. Both sides fought hard for control of these key areas.
• Saratoga campaign (1777): This was a very important campaign in upstate New York. It led to a major American victory that changed the course of the war.
• Philadelphia campaign (1777–1778): The British tried to capture Philadelphia, which was the American capital at the time.
• Yorktown campaign (1781): This final major campaign in Virginia led to the decisive end of the war.
• Northern theater of the American Revolutionary War after Saratoga (1778–1781): Fighting continued in the northern states even after the big victory at Saratoga.
• Southern theater of the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783): The war also spread to the southern colonies, with many important battles fought there.
• Western theater of the American Revolutionary War (1777–1782): Conflicts also happened on the western frontier, involving Native American tribes.
• Naval operations in the American Revolutionary War: Battles weren't just on land. There were many important fights at sea too.

Key Battles and Events

The American Revolutionary War was filled with many battles, big and small. Each one played a part in shaping the outcome. Here are some of the most important ones, listed in order of when they happened.

Early Clashes (1774-1775)

• Powder Alarm (September 1, 1774, Massachusetts): This was an early sign of trouble. British soldiers tried to take away military supplies from colonists.
• Battles of Lexington and Concord (April 19, 1775, Massachusetts): These were the very first battles of the war. American Patriots fought back against British troops, forcing them to retreat. This showed that the colonists were ready to fight for their rights.
• Siege of Boston (April 19, 1775 – March 17, 1776, Massachusetts): After Lexington and Concord, the British army was trapped in Boston. The Patriots surrounded the city, leading to a long standoff.
• Capture of Fort Ticonderoga (May 10, 1775, New York): American Patriots, led by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold, captured this important British fort. They gained valuable cannons and supplies.
• Battle of Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775, Massachusetts): This was a very bloody battle near Boston. The British won, but they suffered heavy losses. It showed that the Patriots could stand up to the British army.
• Battle of Quebec (December 31, 1775, Quebec): American forces tried to capture Quebec City but were defeated. This ended their attempt to bring Canada into the revolution.

Turning Points and Hard Fights (1776-1777)

• Battle of Sullivan's Island (June 28, 1776, South Carolina): Patriots successfully defended Charleston from a British naval attack.
• Battle of Long Island (August 27, 1776, New York): This was the largest battle of the war. The British won a big victory, forcing George Washington's army to retreat from Long Island.
• Battle of Harlem Heights (September 16, 1776, New York): After Long Island, the Patriots fought back in Manhattan, showing they could still resist.
• Battle of Valcour Island (October 11, 1776, New York): A naval battle on Lake Champlain. The British won, but the American resistance delayed their advance, which was very important.
• Battle of Fort Washington (November 16, 1776, New York): A major defeat for the Patriots, where many soldiers were captured.
• Battle of Trenton (December 26, 1776, New Jersey): George Washington led a surprise attack on Hessian (German) soldiers. This Patriot victory boosted morale during a tough time.
• Battle of Princeton (January 3, 1777, New Jersey): Another important Patriot victory soon after Trenton. These wins helped turn the tide for the Americans.
• Battle of Brandywine (September 11, 1777, Pennsylvania): The British defeated the Americans and moved closer to capturing Philadelphia.
• Battles of Saratoga (September 19 and October 7, 1777, New York): These two battles were a huge turning point. The American victory forced a large British army to surrender. This convinced France to join the war as an ally of the Americans.
• Battle of Germantown (October 4, 1777, Pennsylvania): The Americans tried to retake Philadelphia but were defeated by the British.

War Spreads and Continues (1778-1780)

• Battle of Monmouth (June 28, 1778, New Jersey): A long and hard-fought battle that ended in a draw. It showed the American army was becoming stronger and more disciplined.
• Battle of Newport (August 29, 1778, Rhode Island): A combined American and French effort to capture Newport failed.
• Capture of Savannah (December 29, 1778, Georgia): The British captured Savannah, starting their focus on the southern states.
• Siege of Fort Vincennes (February 23–25, 1779, Indiana): An American victory in the western frontier, showing the war was fought far from the coast.
• Siege of Charleston (March 29 – May 12, 1780, South Carolina): The British captured Charleston, a major port city, in a big victory.
• Battle of Camden (August 16, 1780, South Carolina): A major British victory in the South, where the American army suffered heavy losses.
• Battle of Kings Mountain (October 7, 1780, South Carolina): An important Patriot victory in the South. American militia defeated a Loyalist force, slowing the British advance.

Final Push to Victory (1781-1783)

• Battle of Cowpens (January 17, 1781, South Carolina): A brilliant Patriot victory where American forces cleverly defeated a British army.
• Battle of Guilford Court House (March 15, 1781, North Carolina): A costly British victory. Even though they won, the British lost so many soldiers that it weakened their army greatly.
• Battle of the Chesapeake (September 5, 1781, Virginia): A crucial naval battle where the French navy defeated the British. This prevented the British army at Yorktown from getting help or escaping by sea.
• Siege of Yorktown (September 28 – October 19, 1781, Virginia): This was the final major battle of the war. American and French forces surrounded the main British army under General Cornwallis. With no escape, Cornwallis was forced to surrender. This huge victory effectively ended the war.
• Cedar Bridge Tavern (December 27, 1782, New Jersey): This was one of the very last land battles in the United States. It was a small skirmish between Patriots and Loyalists.

See also

• List of Continental Forces in the American Revolutionary War
• List of British Forces in the American Revolutionary War
• List of George Washington articles