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Benjamin Franklin
Served in the Second Continental Congress, helped draft the Declaration of Independence in 1776, negotiated the 1783 Treaty of Paris that ended the Revolutionary War (1775-83). In 1787, he was a delegate to the convention that produced the U.S. Constitution.
Served as an unofficial American spokesman in London. Spoke against the Stamp Act, pushed for its repeal, which he was eventually able to secure. French connections
1706-1790
Patriot -
George Washington
Sought a commission in the British Army, Commander of the Continental Army, Became an early advocate for separation from Great Britain, One of the most experienced American officers,
Battle at Valley Forge, Battle of Trenton, Battle of Yorktown
1732-1799
Patriot -
John Hancock
One of the preeminent Founding Fathers, a president of the Continental Congress and later governor of Massachusetts.Leader of colonial resistance to parliamentary policy. Hancock used his wealth and influence to aid the movement for American independence.
The first signer of the Declaration of Independence.Opposed the Stamp Act of 1765.He was president of the Second Continental Congress from 1775 to 1777.
1737-1793
Patriot -
Lord Cornwallis
English general who fought in the Seven Years' War and served as a member of Parliament. Served as a lieutenant-general of British forces under William Howe. Surrendered 7200 troops.
Battle of Long Island, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Yorktown,
1738-1805
Loyalist -
King George III
Kng of Great Britain, sparked conflicts with the American colonists through an increasingly hostile dynamic that sparked the American Revolution. Appointed a series of incompetent men to serve as his ministers resulting in inconsistency in governmental policy: under George Grenville.
Boston Massacre, Stamp Acts, Townshend Acts.
1738-1820
Loyalist -
Sugar Act
a revenue-raising act passed based off of Molasses Act. Tax on sugar.
the Parliament of Great Britain
Throughout the colonies.
increased the colonists' concerns about the intent of the British Parliament and helped the growing movement that became the American Revolution -
Stamp Act
Requires that all newspapers, pamphlets, and other public or legal documents have a stamp, or British seal on them. Tax on any paper to pay for the French and Indian War. Parliament
Throughout the colonies
Made colonists mad because it was internal taxation. Led to the Decleratory Act and the Stamp Act Congress. Created tensions throughout the colonies. -
Townshend Acts
imposed duties on glass, lead, paints, paper and tea imported into the colonies
hancellor of the Exchequer Charles Townshend
throughout the colonies
hoped the acts would defray imperial expenses in the colonies, but many Americans viewed the taxation as an abuse of power, resulting in the passage of agreements to limit imports from Britain.Parliament repealed all the Townshend duties except the tax on tea, leading to a temporary truce between the two sides in the years before the American Rev. -
Boston Massacre
A squad of British soldiers, come to support a sentry who was being pressed by a heckling, snowballing crowd, let loose a volley of shots. Three persons were killed immediately and two died later of their wounds.
British soldiers/crowd of colonists
Boston
Helping to galvanize the colonial public to the Patriot cause. -
Intolerable Acts
four punitive measures enacted in retaliation for acts of colonial defiance. Response to the Boston Tea Party.
British Parliament, Lord North
throughout the colonies
establishing a new administration for the territory ceded to Britain after the French and Indian War. The Regulating Act was aimed at curtailing revolutionary activities. The Quartering Act angered colonists who didn't want soldiers (especially Redcoats) in their houses. The Quebec Act was a direct insult to Americans. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
Lexington, MA
19 April, 1775
Americans
Kcked off the American Revolutionary War, first battle -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Breed’s Hill, MA
17 June, 1775
British
The inexperienced colonial forces inflicted significant casualties against the enemy, and the battle provided them with an important confidence boost. -
Battle of Trenton
Trenton, New Jersey, on the Delaware River
25-26 December, 1776
Americans
Significantly boosted the Continental Army's flagging morale, and inspired reenlistments. -
Battle of Saratoga
Stillwater, Saratoga County, NY
19 September and 7 October 1777
Americans
Turning point of the Revolutionary War. General John Burgoyne had lost 86 percent of his expeditionary force that had triumphantly marched into New York from Canada. -
Battle of Yorktown
Virginia
28 September - 19 October, 1781
Americans and French
the last major land battle of the American Revolutionary War, as the surrender by Cornwallis, and the capture of both him and his army, prompted the British government to negotiate an end to the conflict. The battle boosted faltering American morale and revived French enthusiasm for the war, as well as undermining popular support for the conflict in Britain.
