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On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence of Independence was formally announced.  It declares that all men are created equal, having natural inalienable rights.  The colonies’ many grievances against the crown were listed.  It argued that government is a social compact and rebellion is justified when the government break its end of the bargain.  This logic was borrowed from the philosophy of John Locke.  But perhaps the most important part of the Declaration was its frequent invocation of God.  Our nation was founded on God’s providence and truth.     

On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence of Independence was formally announced.  It declares that all men are created equal, having natural inalienable rights.  The colonies’ many grievances against the crown were listed.  It argued that government is a social compact and rebellion is justified when the government break its end of the bargain.  This logic was borrowed from the philosophy of John Locke.  But perhaps the most important part of the Declaration was its frequent invocation of God.  Our nation was founded on God’s providence and truth.     

Still, the colonies had very small troops, especially since one third of the population was loyal to Britain.  Washington’s army was composed of just 18,000 men, less than a third the size of attendance at Giants Stadium.  The British won early battles at [[Bunker Hill]] in Boston, in Canada, and in New York.  The colonies started winning on Christmas Eve in Trenton in 1776, then later at Princeton.   

Still, the colonies had very small troops, especially since one third of the population was loyal to Britain.  Washington's army was composed of just 18,000 men, less than a third the size of attendance at Giants Stadium.  The British won early battles at [[Bunker Hill]] in Boston, in Canada, and in New York.  The colonies started winning on Christmas Eve in Trenton in 1776, then later at Princeton.   

During the winter of 1777 Washington quartered his troops in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  The winter was filled with suffering.  The troops lacked supplies and many died of starvation and cold.  But the training the troops received during this time was invaluable.  Prussian Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben drilled the troops throughout the winter, and his expertise may well have aided in turning the tide against the British.

During the winter of 1777 Washington quartered his troops in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  The winter was filled with suffering.  The troops lacked supplies and many died of starvation and cold.  But the training the troops received during this time was invaluable.  Prussian Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben drilled the troops throughout the winter, and his expertise may well have aided in turning the tide against the British.

At Saratoga in upstate NY in October 1777, 6,000 British soldiers surrendered, making a huge victory for the colonies.  [[Benedict Arnold]] led our army brilliantly then, before he became a traitor and went over to the British side.  That was the turning point because the French then entered on our side.

At Saratoga in upstate NY in October 1777, 6,000 British soldiers surrendered, making a huge victory for the colonies.  [[Benedict Arnold]] led our army brilliantly then, before he became a traitor and went over to the British side.  That was the turning point because the French then entered on our side.

The Franco-American Alliance ended French Neutrality in 1778.  Benjamin was instrumental in achieving this alliance, but this certainly was not his only achievement.  He also wrote Poor Richard’s Almanac, Invented the Franklin stove for heating, and started the first library.  Due to Franklin’s efforts as an ambassador to France, and the inspiration of the colonies’ victory at Saratoga, France recognized the colonies’ independence, entered into a military alliance with the colonies, and renounced its territory east of the Mississippi as well as Bermuda.

The Franco-American Alliance ended French Neutrality in 1778.  Benjamin Franklin was instrumental in achieving this alliance, which became one of the biggest reasons why the Americans won the war.  Due to Franklin's efforts as an ambassador to France, and the inspiration of the colonies' victory at Saratoga, France recognized the colonies' independence, entered into a military alliance with the colonies, and renounced its territory east of the Mississippi as well as Bermuda. Franklin had other significant achievements.  He wrote Poor Richard's Almanac, invented the Franklin stove for heating, and started the first library. 

Still, the British were beating the patriots badly in the South.  The British captured Charleston in 1780, taking 5,500 soldiers and huge amounts of weapons.  Finally, the patriots installed General [[Nathanael Greene]], one of the revolution’s best generals.  He started inflicting heavy casualties on the British, and they retreated from the Carolinas to Yorktown, VA.

Still, the British were beating the patriots badly in the South.  The British captured Charleston in 1780, taking 5,500 soldiers and huge amounts of weapons.  Finally, the patriots installed General [[Nathanael Greene]], one of the revolution's best generals.  He started inflicting heavy casualties on the British, and they retreated from the Carolinas to Yorktown, VA.

In May 1781, French arrived with two fleets, and trapped the British at Yorktown, Virginia.  They were forced to surrender their entire army of 8000.  But the British still held New York, and didn’t finally sign a peace treaty until February 1783.   

In May 1781, French arrived with two fleets, and trapped the British at Yorktown, Virginia.  They were forced to surrender their entire army of 8000.  But the British still held New York, and didn’t finally sign a peace treaty until February 1783.