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Odometer
In 1775 Benjamin Franklin invented the odometer. This invention really helped with the revolutionary war. Getting news around was important and getting it around on time was even more important. The odometer helped assure that horses traveled the correct amount of miles in the correct amount of time to get from point A to point B correctly. -
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Creation of Bushnell's Submarine
The picture is a primary source because it is his drawing of the submarine. Many other countries had advanced weapons and military tactics but the colonists were lacking in the beginning, mainly because of being such a new development. Bushnell thought that bringing this device into play would really up the game for other countries around the world (Bushnell). A submarine could be great for designing tactics and spying on the enemy. -
Paul Revere's Midnight Ride
Paul Revere is arguably the first important man in the American Revolution. Seeing the British marching his way, he immediately set off to warn others about the oncoming attack. Without this, the attack would have been a surprise and the colonists might have ended up losing. “On Tuesday evening, the 18th, it was observed that a number of soldiers were marching towards the bottom of the Common,” stated Paul Revere. He saw the soldiers then warned people about them. -
Battle of Lexington
The Battle of Lexington was the first battle of the American Revolution. The "shot heard round the world" was shot here and fighting broke loose. The outcome of the battle was that the Americans won and would foreshadow the end of the war. 100 American soldiers died while 300 British soldiers died. -
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine was a very important person during the American Independence Era. Not all of the colonists thought that they needed independence, so it was Paine’s job to try and convince them that independence was a necessity. He did a really good job by bringing up a ton of good points and using persuasive language. For example, “But where, says some, is the King of America? I'll tell you. Friend, he reigns above, and doth not make havoc of mankind like the Royal Brute of Britain,” (Paine). -
Declaration of Independence Signing
When the declaration of independence was signed, it declared us free from British rule. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” (US 1776). Without these incentives driving the colonists during the war the outcome might not have been the same. -
Smallpox at Valley Forge
George Washington had a major dilemma on his hand and it was called smallpox. He described the disease as “a potentially greater threat than the sword of the enemy,” (Smallpox). George had to make the decision whether to inoculate, or vaccinate, his troops or let fate decide. In the end, he decided to inoculate them and his decision paid off; less than 1% of his army dissipated from it! If they wouldn’t have been vaccinated most of them might have died from the disease. -
Paoli Massacre
In Philadelphia, a few soldiers remained under control of a general while most soldiers moved to replenish their ammo. During this time the British conducted a surprise attack on the small army and won; however, it is said that the British remained afraid for the rest of the war that the colonists would “try to avenge the affair,” (Paoli). This means that the Americans had something the British didn’t have; major fear. -
Battle of Saratoga
George Washington states, "Sir: I have the Honor to inform Congress, that a Reduction of the British Army under the Command of Lord Cornwallis, is most happily effected," (Washington). The Americans won yet another battle here. This was considered the last important battle of the Revolution and pretty much solidified the Colonists a win. -
France Joining the War
On February 6th, 1778 France agreed to help America in defeating the British. France viewed the colonies as a good economic partnership so they decided to help them get their independence. “...the United States engage mutually not to grant any particular Favor to other Nations in respect of Commerce and Navigation,” (Avalon). The French joined to aid America and get indirect benefits from it. -
Spain Joining the Revolution
In April of 1779, Spain also joined the war with France and fought alongside the colonists against Britain. With the Treaty of Aranjuez they joined the war alongside France for the same reasons, their land. Their main contribution though was with their navy. -
Battle of Yorktown
This is another battle that ended in defeat for the British. George Washington states, "Sir: I have the Honor to inform Congress, that a Reduction of the British Army under the Command of Lord Cornwallis, is most happily effected," (Washington). The Americans won yet another battle here. This was considered the last important battle of the Revolution and pretty much solidified the Colonists a win.
