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Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin was a writer. He wrote articles under the pen-name of Silence Dogood. In 1729, he bought the Pennsylvania Gazette and turned it into the most popular newspaper in the colonies. Benjamin wrote the very first political cartoon. -
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Samuel Adams
Samuel Adams graduated from Harvard in 1740 and became very political. He started the Sons of Liberty and organized the Boston Tea Party in Boston. In 1776, Samuel Adams signed the Decleration of Independence. He was also the Governor of Massachusetts from 1793-1797. -
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General George Washington
General George Washington played a big part in the Revolutionary War for the Patriots. He was the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775-1783. Also, he was the first President of the United States of America -
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John Adams
John Adams graduated from Harvard in 1755. In 1771, he was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives and later the Continental Congress. John Adams was the first Vice President, with George Washington as the President from 1789-1797, and the second President from 1797-1801. John Adams died just hours after Thomas Jefferson. -
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John Hancock
John Hancock joined Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty back in the biginning of the revolution. John also comissioned George Washington as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. John Hancock was the first person to sign the Decleration of Independence and he signed so big that "King George could read it without his glasses." -
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General Benedict Arnold
General Benedict Arnold was a big fighter and leader in the Revolutionary War. He formulated the plan to sieze Fort Ticonderoga and was a big fighter in the Battle of Saratoga. Also, he was named colonel of the Massachussetts Army. -
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Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was a writer and drafted the Decleration of Independence. At age 26, he was elected to the Virginia House of Representatives. Thomas Jefferson was also the Vice President in 1796 and the President from 1800-1804. -
The Decleration of Independence
One of the most popular documents that was signed by Patriots and declared their freedom from Britain. The idea of the document was made in Philadelphia, Pennslyvania in the Second Continental Congress. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to draft it. This document was followed by several wars known as the Revolutionary War. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was America's first consitution. It gave the states lots of power and didn't tax citizens, and turned out not to work to well as a government. The Articles got ammended in 1787. -
"I only regret that I have but one life to give" -Nathan Hale
Nathan Hale, a graduate from Yale, decided to become a spy for the Americans on troop movements. After being questioned by British General William Howe, William decided that Nathan was a spy. The next day, before Nathan got hanged, he said, "I only regret that I have but one life to give." This quote was, and still is very popular. -
Battle of Trenton
General George Washington was making a plan to attack a Hessian army of 1,400 in Trenton, New Jersey from three directions. After moving all three armies around the city, they surrounded the Hessians, killing 22, injuring 61, and capturing 896 (thought several hundred escaped). The Battle of Trenton raised the colonist's morale. -
Winter at Valley Forge
Valley Forge is a camp that the Continental Army of 12,000 stayed at under George Washington. Over 2000 people died from sicknesses or diseases. Most people at Valley Forge didn't have blankets, shoes and got verly little food. In early 1778, the Continental Army left Valley Forge to chase a moving Britain army. -
British Soldiers take back Fort Ticonderoga
British General Burgoyne and 7,000 redcoats easily took back Fort Ticonderoga and all of its ammunition.Then Burgoyne's army joined up with William Howe's army in Albany, New York. -
Battle of Saratoga
Britain General William Howe goes against the Britain plans and attacks Philidelphia, not Albany, New York. Burgoyne's army was then alone in New York and surrendered to the Patriots. The Battle of Saratoga was a big turning point in the war. -
France and the U.S. Sign Treaties of Alliances
On Febuary 6th, 1778, France and the U.S. sign treaties of alliances. France became a big, strong partner in the war. France said that they would fight until America had its freedom. Then Britain and France declared war on each other. -
British Piece Comission Sent to Congress
British sended a piece comission offering to repeal all taxes and allow any American demands except independence. The Congress rejected this comission. -
Battle of Charleston
British General Henry Clinton completely surrounded and took over the city of Charleston. Ten days later, on May 12th, Patriots surrendered the city. This victory gave the Redcoats complete control of the south. -
Battle of Cowpens
In the Southern colonies, in a town called Cowpens, British army attacked General Daniel Morgan and his Yankee army. Rebels were suprised when Patriots made a fake retreat and then came attacking back. The Patriots won even though 128 soldiers wer killed or wounded.110 British soldiers were killed and 712 were captured. The Battle of Cowpens was a big turning point in the south. -
Battle of Yorktown
American and French soldiers worked together to corner Redcoats in Yorktown. The American army came from the west and the French army of 5,500 from the east. Americans and French won the war, and took more than 7,000 British soldiers. The Battle of Yorktown was the last major battle in the Revolutionary War. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was a document outlining the terms of Britain's surrender. This treaty ended the war and made America a free country.
