Revolutionary War Who: George Washington, Jefferson, Britain, Cornwallis, 13 Colonies, Thomas Paine, Madison, John Adams, John Burgoyne, Benedict Arnold What: A fight between the 13 colonies and Britain to gain independence When: 1776-1778 Where: Lexington, Concord, Boston, Yorktown, Bunker Hill, New York, Philadelphia, Trenton, Princeton, Saratoga Why: So that the 13 colonies could finally gain their independence How: They fought Britain to gain their freedom.