1775-1776: the coming of war -- 1775-1776: Colonial troops invade Canada -- 1775-1776: British occupation of New York and New Jersey -- 1775-1777: turmoil in the South -- 1776-1777: the British capture Philadelphia -- 1776-1777: Canada, Upper New York and the Battle of Saratoga -- 1778: France and Spain enter the war -- 1779: Britain's southern strategy -- 1780: British success in South Carolina, and the defection of Benedict Arnold -- 1781: Cornwallis is defeated -- 1782: Diplomatic maneuvers for peace -- 1783: Negotiations to end the war.