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John Locke (Social Contract and Natural Rights)
The English philosopher and political theorist John Locke (1632-1704) laid much of the groundwork for the Enlightenment and made central contributions to the development of liberalism. Trained in medicine, he was a key advocate of the empirical approaches of the Scientific Revolution. After colonist read about locke, they wanted to revolt, therefore influencing the American Revolution. -
French and English Enlightenment
18th century euro philosophical movement that advocated the use of reason and rationality to establish a system of ethics and knowledge. Provided frame work for both the Americans and French Revolution and rise of capitalism. -
Thomas Jefferson
During the American Revolutionary War (1775-83), Jefferson served in the Virginia legislature and the Continental Congress and was governor of Virginia. Thomas Jefferson is credited of being the author of the Decleration of Independence. -
Lexington & Concord
These battles initiated the Revolutionary War between the American colonists and the British. British governor Thomas Gage sent troops to Concord to stop the colonists who were loading arms. The next day, on April 19, 1775, the first shots were fired in Lexington, starting the war. The battles resulted in a British retreat to Boston -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress was a convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that met beginning on May 10, 1775, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, soon after warfare in the American Revolutionary War had begun. The second Congress managed the colonial war effort, and moved incrementally towards independence, adopting the United States Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. the Congress acted as the de facto national government of what became the United States. -
Bunker Hill
Took place on June 17, 1775, during the Siege of Boston early in the American Revolutionary War; (AKA battle of bunker hill) During the Siege of Boston in the early American Revolutionary War British successfully captured Charlestown Peninsula, many casualties suffered on both sides. -
George Washington
George Washington was Commander of the Continental Army. He had led troops (rather unsuccessfully) during the French and Indian War, and had surrendered Fort Necessity to the French. He was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, and was much more successful in this second command. -
Olive Branch Petition
On July 8, 1775, the colonies made a final offer of peace to Britain, agreeing to be loyal to the British government if it addressed their grievances (repealed the Coercive Acts, ended the taxation without representation policies). It was rejected by Parliament, which in December 1775 passed the American Prohibitory Act forbidding all further trade with the colonies. -
Decleration of Independence
The Decleration of Independence was formally approved by the Congress on July 4, 1776. This "shout heard round the world" has been a source of inspiration to countless revolutionary movements against arbitrary authority. The document sharply separated Loyalists from Patriots and helped to start the American Revolution by allowing England to hear of the colonists disagreements with British authority. -
Battle of Trenton
Battle where George Washington crossed over ice clogged Delaware River to execute a surprise attack on the sleeping Hessians at Trenton. He was successful and this was a pivotal battle for the colonists as it helped to lift their spirits and move on with their quest for independence. -
Battle of Princeton
Second successful battle by George Washington. A week following the Battle of Trenton in January 1777,he left his campfire burning as a decoy and slipped away and defeated a smaller British detachment at Princeton. -
Battle of Saratoga
This Battle was won on October 17, 1777. Burgoyne pushed northward and was then surronded by a host of American militia men. Benedict Arnold was shot in the leg. British army was trapped and forced to surrender his entire command to American General Horatio Gates. -
Valley Forge
(1777-1778) encampment where George Washington's poorly equipped army spent a long, freezing winter. Hundreds of men died and over a thousand deserted. Reflected the main weakness of the American army: lack of stable supplies and munitions. -
France(Treaty of Amity & Commerce, Treaty of Alliance)
The Treaty of Amity and Commerce recognized the U.S. as an independent nation and promoted trade between France and America. The second agreement, the Treaty of Alliance, made the fledgling United States and France allies against Great Britain in the Revolutionary War. The French decided to back the U.S. in its military efforts until the U.S. had full independence from Great Britain. After that, the treaty required France and the U.S. to work together on any peace agreement. -
Spain
Spain played a significant role regarding the American Revolution. It acted as a supply source for munitions and other material for the Americans. After 1779, Spain's military forces won significant victories against Great Britain, thereby helping to bring the war towards a conclusive defeat of the British. Spain, along with her ally France, had been a traditional and long-standing international rival of the British since the beginnings of the colonial era. -
Cowpens
A 1781 battle in SC where Americans won by pretending to retreat after firing 2 volleys, then when the Brits pursued, ran into second rank, and lost numerous men, battle in the American Revolution, under American brigadier general Daniel Morgan, battle in the American Revolution -
Yorktown
American troops under George Washington and Comte de Rochambeau trapped British troops under Charles Cornwallis and his troops in the Chesapeake Bay, with the help of Admiral de Grasse and the French fleet. Cornwallis was forced to surrender. Significance: although not the last of the fighting, this signified the end of the war. -
Treaty of Paris
By the treaty: The British recognized the independence of the United States and granted it generous boundaries, as well as a share of Newfoundland for fishing (which greatly upset the Canadians). The Americans had to ensure they would not persecute the Loyalists, restore their property and pay debts already owed to British creditors.