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John Locke
John Locke emphasized the natural rights of the people. He says that people are born to a right of justice liberty and self-fulfillment, -
Enlightenment
Enlightenment stressed the idea of natural rights and equality. The English Enlightenment ideals leaned more towards equality and the statement of natural-born rights. The French Enlightenment focused on practical ideals such as liberty, progress, tolerance, constitutional government, and separation of church and state. -
George Washington
George Washington created and lead the Continental Army that eventually won the American Revolution. He was a strong influence in persuading the state to take part in the Constitutional Convention. He used his status to gain a good reputation in many ways. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress was a convention of delegates from the 13 colonies. The drew up the Olive Branch Petition and adopted the Declaration of the Causes as well as the Necessity for Taking up Arms. The Congress was split into two main parties, those who were ready to go to war and claim their independence, and those who didn't think it was necessary to go to war. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The battle of Bunker Hill was to failed attacks by the British, the colonists ran out of ammunition was the British succeeded, the colonists are now in a terrible situation and had to make the decision to commit to a revolution. -
Lexington and Concord
The battles of Lexington and Concord are what kicked off the Revolutionary War. British troops marched from Boston to Concord in order to stop them from stocking up on arms. The began to mobilize to go and fight the "Redcoats". A confrontation happened in Lexington and that lead to the fighting, the British began to retreat under intense fire. However, the British won this battle. -
Olive Branch Petition
The Olive Branch Petition was the colonist's last try at getting their citizenship from Britain. In this document, they pledged their loyalty to the crown and asserted their rights as British citizens. The first draft was written by Thomas Jefferson, then it was revised and found to be too inflammatory so John Dickenson wrote the second and final draft. The purpose fo this document was to pacify King George and prevent ware between the colonies and Britain. -
Delcaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was written by the Committee. It contained a list of grievances placing all the blame on King George III and listed the natural rights of the people to rebel against absolute monarchies and tyrannical governments. -
Trenton
The battle of Trenton was when George Washington's troops crossed Delaware and in a course of only 10 days had won to important battles. He defeated Hessian mercenaries before withdrawing and then a week later he returned to Trenton to try and lure the British South. -
Saratoga
The battle of Saratoga was when British General John Burgoyne felt overwhelmed by a force that was significantly larger than his own and was forced to surrender. The British were second-guessing on whether or not they should continue fighting. -
Valley Forge
The Continental Army and some survivors marched through Valley Forge while the British collected themselves a little way past Philadelphia. After Baron Fredrich von Stuben arrived the Continental Army emerged. -
Princeton
The Battle of Princeton is when George Washington and his troops marched north from Trenton into Princeton and attacked a British force. Due to Washingtons success, the British lost control of New Jersey and moved to New York. After winning this battle George Washington and his troops had hope that they could actually win this war. -
Treaty of Amity and Commerce/Treay of Alliance
The Treaty of A&C recognized the United States as an independent nation and encouraged trade between France and America. The treaty provided a military alliance against Britain/ -
Spain
Spain declared war on the British as an ally of France as well as America. They provided necessary supplies to the troops such as money and gunpowder. Without the support of Spain, the outcome of the war would not have been the same and Americans would have not claimed their independence from Britain. -
Cowpens
The Battle of Cowpens in South Carolina was where Americans inflicted a huge amount of damage onto the British Troops. The battle was a turning point for the southern campaign and morale. Over 800 British soldiers were killed, wounded, or captured, meanwhile the colonists only had around 100 casualties. This gave the colonies a huge ego and confidence boost. -
Yorktown
In the battle of Yorktown Washington trapped the British General Cornwallis on the Yorktown peninsula. The siege of Yorktown began and soon after it started in quickly ended when Cornwallis realized he had been just about defeated and surrendered. -
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence as well as the third US president and a important model in America's early development. During the American Revolution Jefferson served in the Virginia Legislature, the Continental Congress, and was the governor of Virginia. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was signed by America and Britain, it conducted the end of the American Revolution and Britain released the 13 colonies as now they were independent and free.