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John Locke
John Locke was one of the most famous English Philosophers during the 17th century. Locke's version of the Social Contract stated that Life, Liberty, and Property (3 Natural Rights) are given to people by nature and should be protected by the government, but for this to happen, people need to follow the law. Locke influenced the Revolution with his Second Treatise of Government that stated if the government failed the people's rights, the people had the right to overthrow the government. -
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Age of Enlightenment
The Enlightenment was a European intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th century where philosophers challenged the ideas consisting of God, reason, nature, and humanity. The Enlightenment ideas were the main reason for the Colonies wanting to become independent. It impacted the Revolutionary War by becoming the root of many ideas that involved freedom of speech and press, equality, religious tolerance, etc. -
George Washington
George Washington supervised the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War for 13 years and then served as the First President of the United States. During the Revolution, Washington led colonial forces to defeat the British which made him a national hero. Later on, in 1787, Washington became part of the Virginia Convention that wrote the U.S. Constitution. -
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence and was also one of the Founding Fathers. Jefferson served as a Virginian legislature, in the Continental Congress, and governor in Virginia. Although Jefferson did not physically fight in the Revolutionary War, he fought with words towards independence. Later on, in 1801, Jefferson became the third president of the United States. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The battle of Lexington and Concord indicated the start of the American Revolutionary War where the British Army set out to capture leaders in Lexington and destroy army supplies in Concord. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress was a meeting of the delegates from the 13 colonies and their attempt at representative self-governance. The idea at the time was radical and sparked revolutions. Congress impacted the Revolutionary War by helping them by building armies, conducting strategy, appointing leaders, and creating treaties. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The battle of Bunker Hill was one of the bloodiest battles of the American Revolution. Although the British won, it was the first major battle that helped unexperienced Americans morales become more devoted. Thus, this battle set the legacy of how the colonist's patriotic dedication would help them defeat the British military. -
Olive Branch Petition
The Olive Branch Petition was the final attempt adopted by the Second Continental Congress to avoid the colonists going into war with Britain during the American Revolution. However, George III rejected the petition which then led Adams and others to push for their independence and view the King as stubborn when addressing the colonist's grievances. Thus, the King's refusal of the petition led to the Revolutionary War. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson so the 13 colonies could finally win their independence from the mother country. This document declared the nations as independent which allowed them to conform alliances with the French against Great Britain. Thus, the Declaration of Independence impacted the Revolutionary War by declaring the colonies as independent and free from Great Britain. -
Battle of Trenton
The Battle of Trenton took place during the Revolutionary War but was not major and it was between the 13 colonies and Great Britain's military. This battle impacted the Revolutionary War by boosting the American army since they defeated the British Hessian army on Delaware River by Washington's raid. -
Battle of Princeton
The Battle of Princeton was between the British army with German Hessians against the Americans. This battle impacted the Revolutionary war by increasing the army's confidence since Britain lost control over New Jersey which made them move onto New York due to winning against the British in the battles of Princeton and Trenton. -
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Battle of Saratoga
The Battle(s) of Saratoga were two battles that were 18 days apart and a victory for the Continental Army. These battles made the British Army under General Burgoyne surrender. They were significant for the Revolutionary War because they had boosted the army's confidence to the max that they would be able to win the war. -
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Valley Forge
Valley Forge was a camp created in Pennsylvania by the American Continental Army for the winter. In this camp, many troops died due to conditions that lead to defeats. This camp was significant because it raised questions about Washingtons leadership because of the recent defeats although some soldiers still remained loyal. -
France (Treaty of Amity and Commerce, Treaty of Alliance)
The Treaty of Amity and Commerce and the Treaty of Alliance was between France and America and declared that from the alliance, both would get military support if the French and British suddenly had a breakout. This was significant for the Revolutionary War because it had officially stated the colonies as independent and increased trade between France and America. -
Spain
Spain declared war on Great Britain on June 21, 1779, in hopes of winning back stolen territory. This ended up creating an alliance with the Americans and French. In this alliance, Spain supplied American forces with army supplies during the American Revolution. -
Battle of Cowpens
The Battle of Cowpens was the most decisive American win in South Carolina and delayed the British's plans on taking over North Carolina. It greatly boosted patriotism into the soldiers. -
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Siege of Yorktown
The Siege of Yorktown was a decisive victory where the French and American forces trapped the British at Yorktown which caused them to surrender. The British at this time were not financially capable of raising another army, which led them to request peace with the Americans. This battle impacted the American Revolution by ultimately ending it. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
The Treaty of Paris 1783 was the document that ended the American Revolution between America and Britain. It was important because it brought peace between the two nations, declared the colonies as independent, and expanded the US to the west.
