-
John Locke
John Locke was born on Agust 29th, 1632, and he died on October 28th, 1704. He earned the title of "Father of Liberal Philosophy". He was a liberal whose ideas inspired the future leaders of the colonists, such as Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, and Adams. Their ideas were coming to maturity in the years of The Enlightenment. The ideas of the movement, and their ideas, reflected the beliefs in rationalism, reason, and trusted human resource. These beliefs culminated in the American Revolution. -
King George III
King George III reigned as king of Britain during the American Revolution. Many changes that occured in English policy, after the signing of the Treaty of Paris by the King, sparked multiple conflicts and contributed to the increasingly hostile dynamic with American colonists. He was a flawed ruler that appointed many unsuited men to serve under him. This caused inconsistencies in governmental policies policy, and this eventually lead to the American Revolution. -
Stamp Act
George Grenville of the British Parliament introduced this act that was passed on March 22nd, 1765. It was the first direct tax on the colonists. It required all colonists to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used. This included ship's papers, legal documents, licenses, newspapers, other publications, and even playing cards were taxed. This act was offensive to the colonists because it represented "no taxation without represenation". This caused boycotts and other forms of protest. -
Sons of Liberty
The Sons of Liberty was an organization of American colonists that was formed on August 1st, 1765. The secret society of patriots was formed to protect the rights of the colonists and to fight taxation by the British Government. This group was responsible for the Boston Tea Party in 1773 as a reaction to new taxes. Britian responed to the Boston Tea Party by creating the Intolerable Acts. -
Boston Massacre
On March 5, 1770, on King Street in Boston, Massachusetts, the Boston Massacre occured. The British Army fired into a crowd of unarmed civilians. These civilians were American colonists who were harassing the quards. Five people died, including Crispus Attucks, an African American. This was used by patriots, such as Samuel Adams, to inflame anti-British feelings by being over exaggerated and referred to as a "massacre". -
Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts were a series of punitive laws passed by British Parliament in 1774 as a form of retaliation against the Boston Tea Party. They were meant to punish the Massachusetts' colonists for the defiance. The Intolerable Acts helped the colonies bond together; they joined together in boycotting British goods. This unity prepared colonists for their war with Britain and to declare their independence. -
Paul Revere
Paul Revere was a patriot that lived between 1735-1818. He took part in the Boston Tea Party, and he is famous for alerting the Lexington Minutemen about the advancing of the British on the evening of April 18, 1775. To do this, he devised a system of laterns, "One, if by land, and two, if by sea". He was a memeber of Boston's Committe of Safety, and this committe was focused on hindering British development in the colonies. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were significant because they signaled the start of the American Revolution. The British Army, on April 19th, 1775, set out from Boston to capture rebel leaders in Lexington as well as destroy weapons and ammunition in Concord. Colonists were warned by riders including Paul Revere, and weapons were able to be hidden. 8 colonists were killed in Lexington, but at Boston 49 American men died. No British died at Lexington, but 73 died at Concord. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
Early in the American Revolution, the British Army defeated the Americans at the Battle of Bunker Hill in Massachusetts. Despite their loss, the colonial forces, that lacked experience, inflicted significant casualties and losses on the British. The battle was significant because it provided the American colonists with an important confidence boost. -
Thomas Paine
The pamphlet Common Sense was published on January 10, 1776. It was a hugely influential text that inspired the American colonists that it was time for a revolution. There was no more waiting. The spirit of rebellion was intesified, and it was time for the colonists to break away from Britain. Paine was a patriot that lived from 1737-1809. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776. In this document, the 13 American colonies severed their ties with Britain, and the colonies declared themselves as an independent nation. Thus, after severing these ties, they were able to have an official alliance with France. "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" is a well known phrase from the Declaration of Independence, and it was written by Thomas Jefferson. -
The Battle of Trenton
The Battle of Trenton was a small but pivotal battle during the American Revolution. On Christmas night, George Washington crossed the Delaware river north of Trenton, NJ. The next morning, Washington led the Continental Army against Hessian (Germans that were allied with the British) soldiers that were gathered at Trenton. Nearly entire Hessian force was captured, and the battle significantly boosted the continental Army's morale and inspired reenlistments. -
The Battle of Brandywine
The Battle of Brandywine was fought between the American Army of General George Washington and the British Army of Sir William Howe. British defeated Americans and forced them to retreat toward Philadelphia. The engagement occured near Chadds Ford, PA during Howe's campaign to take PA. More troops were fought at Brandywine than any other battle of the American Revolution. The fighting lasted for 11 hours continously, and this made it the longest single-day battle of the war. -
The Battle of Yorktown
In August 1781, General George Washington learned that General Lord Charles Cornwallis' army was camping near Yorktown, VA. After discussing his plan of action with his French ally, Rochambeau, Washingto decided to move in and crush Cornwallis' isolated force. The French naval fleet blocked the British from escaping by sea, and after being completely circled, Cornwallis surrendered. This ended the the American Revolution and fighting in the American colonies. -
Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold lived between 1741-1801. He was an early American hero in the American Revolution. He played a crucial role in bringing about the surrendering of the British General Burgoyne's army at Saratoga. However, he believed he never received the recognition he thought he deserved. In 1779, he began secret negotiations with the British. He was willing to give up the position of a U.S. post in return of money. This plan was discovered, but he escaped to British lines.
