The American Revolution or War of Independence started at the Battle of Lexington (followed by the Battle of Concord later in the day) on 19 April 1775 outside of Boston. With the British securing most of the victories in the early years, the tide started to turn with the American victory at Saratoga in 1777, which convinced the French to support the Americans. The final large scale battle was at Yorktown, where Cornwallis surrendered to Washington in 1781. The British still had troops in America (and New York City) until 1783 when the Treaty of Paris was signed (ratified 1784), officially ending the war and establishing American and British borders in North America. Result: American Victory