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Benjamin Franklin
Lived from January 17, 1706 to April 17, 1790. Benjamin Franklin is considered one of the most treasured founding fathers. His efforts in the Revolutionary War made such a huge impact on America’s freedom. When Franklin opened his mind to the colonists’ views of the newborn taxes, he soon became a powerful opponent to freedom. He was elected into the continental congress when he returned to America on May 5, 1775. Patriot. Franklin also helped draft the Declaration of Independence/Consitution. -
George Washington
Lived from February 22, 1732 to December 14, 1799. George Washington was a commander for the Continental Army. He was also the first president of the US. He sought a commission in the British Army before the Revolution. He later became an early advocate for separation from Great Britain. During the war, however, he became synonymous with the cause of independence. -
John Hancock
Live from January 23, 1737 to October 8, 1793. John Hancock was a president of the Continental Congress and a governor of Massachusetts. Hancock was a very wealthy man. He became a very powerful leader in the resistance against Parliament’s taxes on the colonies and America’s Independence. Hancock was a very brave person because he hide in Lexington and later became the only openly known signatory of the Declaration of Independence. It is clear from this information that he was a Patriot. -
Lord Cornwallis
Lived December 31, 1738 to October 5, 1805. Lord Charles Cornwallis participated in the Seven Year’s war. He was a member of Parliament where he rejected the proposal of duties controversial in the colonies. He served England in the Revolutionary War but was eventually sent back in 1776 to serve as a general for Great Britain. Cornwallis was under another general in which he was involved in the Battle of Long Island, the New Jersey Campaigns, and the Battle of Brandywine, B won. -
Thomas Jefferson
Lived from April 13, 1743 to July 4, 1826. Thomas Jefferson was the governor of Virginia before the war, and the minister of France afterwards. In 1773, he helped find the Virginia Committee of Correspondence. He also argued against Parliament’s superiority over the colonies. This obviously made Jefferson a Patriot. Jefferson also helped produce the Declaration of Independence from 1775-1776. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was forced onto the colonies by Parliament on March 22, 1765. All Americans were required to pay the tax on paper including a wis range of paper products. The colonists were not upset because of the cost of the act, but more of what the standard of the Act was. The reason it caused conflict is because past acts did not directly attempt to raise money like this one did. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre occurred on March 5, 1770. This obviously happened in Boston, Massachusetts. British soldiers succeeded in killing 5 citizens and six others injured. People like Paul Revere and Samuel Adams were involved. The incident occurred because British forces were protecting Boston. Colonists then gathered into a massive crowd which caused for huge conflict. This was not an actual Massacre, but was a significant sign of the conflict between America and Great Britain. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a political protest in Boston, on December 16, 1773. It was lead by the Sons of Liberty and caused much conflict. Basically, colonists sneaked onto British ships and threw all the tea into the harbor. Because of this, British shut down the harbor until all 340 containers of tea was replaced and paid for. This was significant because it was a major sign of opposition to the taxes that Britain was putting on America. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first battle that involved military engagements in the American Revolution. They took place on April 19, 1775 in towns near Boston including Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, and Cambridge. Gladly, America won this particular war which was a spark on the firework of freedom in the American Revolution. Significant because it was the key to unlocking the rest of the events in the American Revolution; it was the start of the war. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on Bunker Hill, but more primarily on a place called Breed’s Hill. June 17, 1775. The colonists were quickly moved out by a man named William Prescott. Ammunition in the guns of the colonists ran out. This caused them to flea the Bunker Peninsula which left the British in control there. The British won the battle. However, the colonists felt an advantage in this battle. It is significant because the colonists, despite the fact they lost, were encouraged. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was created in the months of June and July, and ratified on July 4th, 1776. A group of five individuals created the formal document. The document, or course, states that the thirteen colonies, renamed the United States of America, would be free from Great Britain’s control. It was ratified on the fourth of July, and is perhaps the most important document of all US history. -
Battle of Trenton
The Battle of Trenton is a lesser known battle, but still made an impact on the Revolutionary War. It took place in Trenton, New Jersey, on the morning on December 26, 1776. George Washington had crossed the Delaware River to the north of Trenton the previous night. He did this to lead the Continental Army to the Hessian soldiers. To the colonists’s delight, America suffered little wounds from the brief battle. The Hessian force was completely captured, leaving the colonists more proud than ever -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga took place mainly on September 19 and October 7, 1777. What’s more important here is the turning point in the war. After conquering John Burgoyne’s army south of Saratoga, New York, the Americans gained much more advantages than ever seen before. Not only did they feel more confident in winning the war, but they also gained an enemy of Britain. The entire army of his was surrendered and taken in my the colonists. This outside assistance impacted the colonists more than any -
Valley Forge
In southeastern Pennsylvania, Valley Forge was a military camp. The camp was mainly used during December 19 1777-June 18 1778. The camp was located about 20 miles away from Philadelphia. This meant that Washington’s troops were close enough to the British to keep track of where hey were yet far away so they would not be attacked by surprise. -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown began on September 28 and lasted until October 19, 1781. It took place in Yorktown, Virginia. This was a very important battle in the Revolutionary War. The combination of troops lead by George Washington and Comte de Rochambeau helped with the conquering of Britain. Lord Charles Cornwallis caused for the British to finally negotiate a way to end the conflict. The conflict between Great Britain and America was finally coming to a complete end.
