Battlefield Trust Animated Maps

Revolutionary War Animated Map

0:00 The War Begins at Lexington & Concord
3:30 American Resolve Strengthens
5:55 The Declaration of Independence
6:49 The British Return and attack New York
8:44 Washington Crosses the Delaware River
10:35 The British Northern Strategy Fails
11:40 France signs an alliance with The United States
13:29 The Southern Offensive
15:59 Cornwallis Surrenders at Yorktown
17:05 Americans win Independence

Southern Campaign Animated Map

0:00 Intro to the Southern Campaign
2:53 The British Announce their Southern Strategy
3:40 Action at Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC
4:42 Charleston falls to Sir Henry Clinton
5:22 Lesser Known Patriots keep the fight alive
6:30 Cornwallis wants the back country
7:21 Battle of Kings Mountain
8:22 Battle of Cowpens
9:48 Battle of Guilford Court House
10:38 Siege of Ninety Six at Star Fort
12:00 Cornwallis heads for Virginia
12:42 Battle of Yorktown
13:17 American Independence and Legacy of the Southern Campaign

The Southern Campaign

After years of battles in the Northern and Mid-Atlantic Colonies resulting in a stalemate, the British devised a new Southern Strategy in late 1778, hoping to keep control of the agriculturally prosperous South, in case they had to sue for peace with George Washington in the North. Kris White of the American Battlefield Trust details the Southern Campaign.

The Battle of Cowpens

Daniel Davis of the American Battlefield Trust details The Battle of Cowpens of the Revolutionary War. Unable to fully defeat General George Washington's Army in the North, the British shifted their focus to the southern colonies in late 1779, like South Carolina. Shortly thereafter, war ensued.

Benedict Arnold

On October 7, 1777, 243 years ago, Benedict Arnold led a furious charge at The Battles of Saratoga which resulted in an American victory. Never receiving what Arnold believed to be proper recognition or payment, he eventually betrayed General George Washington and became on officer in the British Army. Historian Jim Percoco talks about the life and legacy of Benedict Arnold. Discover the role that Benedict Arnold played during the Revolutionary War, as both a Patriot and a traitor. Discover why and under what circumstances Arnold joined the British cause, and decide for yourself whether he deserves the title of "the American version of Judas Iscariot!"

Thomas Paine

Jim Percoco of the American Battlefield Trust sheds light on one of the overlooked figures of the American Revolution, Thomas Paine. Paine was born in England and had a great disdain for the British Aristocracy. Known as an enlightenment thinker, Paine would later move to the American Colonies and play a major role in the push for independence.

Bunker Hill

Join Jim Percoco as he details the battle that followed Lexington & Concord, signifying that full scale war was imminent and there was truly no turning back for American and British forces.

Lexington & Concord

Join Jim Percoco as he details the history behind "the shot heard 'round the world."

Battle of Princeton

Join Kristopher White of the American Battlefield Trust as he details the Battle of Princeton, the third and final battle of the Ten Crucial Days which gave new life to the American Revolution in January of 1777. Learn how Washington’s clever maneuver around British General Charles Cornwallis resulted in the surrender of 194 British troops in Nassau Hall of Princeton University. This was a critical win for the Continental Army, their first against British regulars.

Second Trenton

On January 2, 1777, George Washington and the Continental Army struck at the Battle of Second Trenton, part of the Ten Crucial Days that kept the American Revolution alive from Washington's Crossing to the Battle of Princeton.

Gunpowder

As was true with many things during the Revolutionary War, the French aided George Washington and the patriot cause by supplying gunpowder to the Continental forces. Jack Warren, Executive Director of the Society of the Cincinnati in Washington, D.C., explains the evolution of firearms and the importance of French gunpowder in the American Revolution.

Paul Revere's Ride

Enjoy learning about that famous night from Elissa Forsythe of The Freedom Trail Foundation.

Battlefield Trust Videos

Continental Army

Join Park Ranger David Lawrence as he gives the ins and outs of what it was like to serve as a soldier in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. People from different races, ages, genders and social classes all fought and worked together under George Washington to form the country that we have today. Watch now to discover what life was like for the common soldier fighting against the British in the Revolutionary War.

Wars For Independence

Jim Percoco describes the early years of the United States through the lens of two major wars, the War for Independence (Revolutionary War) and the War of 1812, that established and secured the American cause.

Combat Strategy

Join David Lawrence of the Valley Forge National Historical Park for an overview of the fighting styles for both the Continental and British armies during the Revolutionary War. For more American Revolution videos, go to our playlist at https://bit.ly/38DoWaP.

The Siege of Boston

Historian Jim Percoco explains the arduous task that faced the Continental Army as they attempted to force the British out of Boston from 1775 through 1776. From Henry Knox’s daring wintertime journey to Fort Ticonderoga and back to fetch artillery, to Washington’s struggle to effectively organize the Continental Army for the first time.

Foreign Fighters

Jim Percoco of the American Battlefield Trust speaks on the European leaders who helped America win their war for independence against Great Britain in the American Revolution.

Washington's Crossing

On Christmas Night, 1776, George Washington famously led the Continental Army on a daring maneuver across the Delaware River, resulting in a remarkable victory over Hessian soldiers at the Battle of Trenton on December 26. Washington's Crossing marked the beginning of The Ten Crucial Days, which includes the Battles of First and Second Trenton and Princeton.

Fort Ticonderoga

Built by the French in upstate New York in 1755, Fort Ticonderoga changed hands numerous times throughout the French and Indian War as well as the American Revolution.

The Declaration of Independence

Join Jim Percoco as he comes to you from Independence Hall in Philadelphia to detail the creation of America's founding document, which is often "clouded in myth."

Battle of Brooklyn

On August 27, 1776, British forces captured the all important Port of New York from the Continental Army in the first major battle since America declared their independence in early July. Join Jeff Richman on Battle Hill as he explains the pivotal Battle of Brooklyn, also known as the Battle of Long Island, and learn what it was like to fight in New York City before it was the concrete jungle that we know today.

The Battle of Brandywine

On September 11th, 1777, General George Washington and his Continental Army began their defense of Philadelphia at the Battle of Brandywine. Although resulting in a British victory, the Americans were able to hold together long enough - allowing the Continental Congress to escape the city and relocate.

Monuments

Join Historian and teacher Jim Percoco as he explains the history behind Revolutionary War monuments in America. Discover how monuments of the American Revolution differ from those erected after the Civil War, and learn about the different styles of monuments in America, from portrait-style to allegorical.

Valley Forge

Learn about the trials and successes of George Washington and the Continental Army during their time camped at Valley Forge. In December, 1777, General George Washington moved the Continental Army to their winter quarters at Valley Forge. Though Revolutionary forces had secured a pivotal victory at Saratoga in September and October, Washington’s army suffered defeats at Brandywine, Paoli, and Germantown, Pennsylvania. The patriot capital, Philadelphia, fell into British hands. By the time the army marched into Valley Forge on December 19, they were suffering not only from cold, hunger, and fatigue, but from low morale in the wake of the disastrous Philadelphia Campaign.