-
Period: to
Charles Montesquieu
Wrote a book about adjusting laws to increase liberty for all. It was called "The Spirit of the Laws", and his book could be found in many libraries and sold by many booksellers in America. His books were found in the personal libraries of almost all of the country's founding fathers, including Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. Visual:
https://cdn.britannica.com/29/182629-050-D275B8CF/Montesquieu.jpg -
Period: to
Martha Washington
Caretaker of her husband George Washington, lent her name to support an effort to enlist women of the colonies to volunteer on behalf of the Continental Army. Visual:
https://cdn.britannica.com/35/187135-050-6C7A046A/Martha-Washington-lithograph-1876.jpg -
Period: to
George Washington
Sent from Virginia for the Second Continental Congress, an American Commander in many major battles in the American Revolution. Leader of The Continental Army. Visual:
https://cdn.britannica.com/s:800x450,c:crop/97/172597-138-A04AE916/overview-George-Washington.jpg -
Period: to
Paul Revere
Was sent with William Dawes out on horseback to warn colonists that British soldiers were coming to take their weapons. Visual:
https://cdn.britannica.com/64/152164-050-BDE65ADA/Paul-Revere-Boston-British-residents-April-18-1775.jpg -
Period: to
John Adams
Sent from Massachusetts for the Second Continental Congress, helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris. Visual:
https://www.biography.com/.image/t_share/MTE1ODA0OTcxMjc3MzIxNzQx/john-adams-37967-1-402.jpg -
Period: to
John Hancock
Sent from Pennsylvania for the Second Continental Congress, first to sign The Declaration of Independence, with a huge signature intended that the king of Britain could read it without his glasses. Visual:
https://cdn.britannica.com/73/184673-050-89641269/John-Hancock-oil-canvas-Singleton-Copley-Museum-1765.jpg -
Period: to
Benedict Arnold
One of George Washington's best generals, but didn't feel rewarded for his efforts. His betrayal of the colonies was revealed in 1780, afterward serving as a British Soldier. He is still known today as America's most notorious traitor. Visual:
https://cdn.britannica.com/92/5892-050-3B83B344/Benedict-Arnold-engraving-HB-Hall-1865.jpg -
Period: to
Thomas Jefferson
Wrote the Declaration of Independence, including the words "All men are created equal", of which the meaning and intent of the words was debated, since at the time only white men that owned property could vote. Visual:
https://www.history.com/.image/c_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Ch_400%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_620/MTU3ODc5MDg0ODIwNjY5NzY5/thomas_jefferson.jpg -
Period: to
Abigail Adams
Wrote letters during the time of the was to question womens' limited roles, including cooking and sewing uniforms. Was appointed by the Massachusetts Colony General Court in 1775 to question her fellow Massachusetts women who were charged by their word or action of remaining loyal to the British crown and working against the independence movement. Visual:
https://cdn.britannica.com/50/173250-050-CF42DC99/oil-Abigail-Adams-canvas-Gilbert-Stuart-National.jpg -
Period: to
French And Indian War
A war with France over the control of the Ohio River Valley that caused the British to lose lots of money. This sparked the imposing of taxes on the colonies in the first place. Visual:
https://cdn.britannica.com/89/65589-050-E68EE5EA/Edward-Braddock-British-troops-French-and-Indian.jpg -
Quartering Act
An Act stating that the colonists needed to find or pay for lodging for British soldiers stationed in America. But with the French and Indian War over, many of the colonists didn't see a need for British soldiers in the colonies. -
Period: to
Stamp Act
A tax that required a stamp for all printed items. Colonists were angry that the tax was being imposed without the consent of Colonial Legislatures. Visual:
https://www.history.com/.image/c_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Ch_400%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_620/MTY1ODQyMzY4NjQ4NTIxNjUx/stamp-act-gettyimages-544254876.jpg -
Boston Massacre
One instance where colonists fought back against British taxes, this time in the form of an angry mob throwing rocks and snowballs at the Boston customs house. This resulted in the deaths of five colonists. -
Boston Tea Party
An instance of colonial action of apposing taxes. Angered Parliament and sparked the creation of the Intolerable Acts, which eventually led to the First Continental Congress. -
First Continental Congress
The first time the Colonists met to discuss how to join forces and resist the British. A letter was written to the king and Parliament, asking for the repeal of the Intolerable Acts. This was known as The Declaration of Rights, and it was ignored. -
Minutemen
Men that were a part of militias created for the purpose of fighting back against British soldiers stationed in the colonies, nicknamed Minutemen because they were ready to fight at a moment's notice. -
Second Continental Congress
Formed The Continental Army, was when the Declaration of Independence was signed. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
Represented the beginning of The Revolutionary War, featuring the famous "Shot Heard Round the World" -
Declaration of Independence
The official document stating that the Thirteen Colonies were cutting off from Britain and becoming their own Nation -
Treaty of Paris
A Treaty signed between the American Colonies and Great Britain ending the American Revolution and recognizing the U.S. as an Independent Nation.
