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Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 and died on April 17, 1790. Benjamin Franklin was a scientist, inventor, and an excellent diplomat for the United States during the American Revolutionary War. Benjamin Franklin was a patriot, and attended the Constitutional Convention as Pennsylvania's representative. Benjamin Franklin also helped end the Revolutionary War by negotiating the Treaty of Paris in 1783 with England. -
George Washington
George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 and died on December 14, 1799. George Washington was an avid patriot. Washington became the commander-in-chief for the American army and the President of the United States. He served as president from 1789 to 1797. George Washington participated in fighting in the French and Indian War as well as the American Revolutionary War. Washington also participated in both Continental Congresses and led America to independence. -
Paul Revere
Paul Revere was born on January 1, 1735 and died on May 10 1818. John Hancock was an ardent patriot, who famously alerted the minutemen in Lexington about the British troop's arrival on April 17, 1775. Paul Revere also took part in the Boston Tea Party. He also served as a spy to maintain the British troop's movements. -
John Hancock
John Hancock was born on January 23, 1737 and died on October 8, 1793. John Hancock was a patriot that organized many protests and revolts and Britain's many policies and taxations on the colonies. Later, John Hancock would serve as Massachusetts representative in the Second Continental Congress. John Hancock was even appointed the Congress President. Hancock became the first representative to sign the Declaration of Independence with his historic signature. -
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, and died on July 4, 1826. Jefferson was the father of the Declaration of Independence and played an important role in supporting America's independence. Jefferson was a patriot through and through. Jefferson participated in the House of Burgesses and the Second Continental Congress, which were defining meetings of America's independence. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was passed in British Parliament on March 22, 1765. Lord Grenville determined that it was fair to tax the American colonies due to Britain's military protection that they provided. The Stamp Act was a tax that would directy tax the colonists by requiring a revenue stamp to be placed on most printed paper in the colonies including, legal documents, newspapers, and advertisements. It was significant because it would be the first tax from Britain that would directly tax the colonists. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts was passed by the Bristish parliament on June 15, 1767, the last act being passed on July 2, 1767. The Townshend Acts required the colonists to pay a tax on other items such as glass, tea, and paper. The Townshend Acts also allowed that the royal officials could search private homes for smuggled goods and remove New York's assmblies. The significance of it was that it was another tax without representation. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre occurred on March 5, 1770 in Boston. There was a group of colonists that were harrassing a group of British soilders. The soilders eventually fired upon the group, killing five colonials, including a free black, Crispus Attucks. The significance of this was that it inflamed an already discontent colonist population with their mother country and their abusive power. -
Tea Act
The Tea Act was passed by the British Parliament on May 10, 1773. This act lowered the price of the British East India Company tea. It would be cheaper than that of the smuggled Dutch tea. Britain wanted to get out of their economic turmoil, but it failed due to the colonists still refusing to purchase their tea. They believed this would give Britain the indirect permission to tax them. The significance of the Tea Act was that it showed the discontent the Americans had with Britain. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The Battle of Lexington and Concord occurred on the route back to Boston from Concord in Lexington. This was the first battle of the American Revolutionary War that took place on April 18, 1775. This battle was more of a British victory; however, it gave the colonists a brand new confidence that they could feasibly win the war. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Two months after the first battle of the war, the Battle of Bunker Hill ensued on June 17, 1775. American farmers created a defensive line at Breed's Hill, right next to Bunker's Hill. Britain was the winner of this battle, successfully taking the hill. However, the Americans can view this as a partial victory for damaging Britain's numbers greatly. This battle showed that the American colonists had an even greater chance at being a threat to Britain's army. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is the formal document that states America's liberty and independence from Great Britain, on July 4, 1776. A combination of five delegates including Thomas Jefferson created the document that would create the United States. It contained greivances against George III and the basic principles that the revolution was founded upon. The significance of the Declaration of Independence gave America a formal document that states our freedom and independence. -
Battle of Brandywine
The Battle of Brandywine occurred on September 11, 1777 at the Brandywine creek in Deleware County, Pennsylvania. This was a British victory, due to the 18,000 redcoats to the 11,000 Americans. George Washington and his men were forced to retreat. This was only worsened by the fact the Britain began to focus on recapturing Philadelphia. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga was an important milestone for the American's, due to their newfound alliance with the French, giving them monetary and military aid. The first encounter of Saratoga occurred on September 19, 1777. There was actually a second encounter of this battle that occurred on October 7, 1777. The first battle happened at Fort Ticonderoga, which was a British victory; however, the second battle in October was an immense American victory, at Bemis Heights. -
Battle of Yorktown
This was the final major battle of Revolutionary War, taking place at Yorktown, Virginia. George Washington, with the help of the French, completely surrounded and defeated General Cornwallis. This battle was the precursor to Britain signing the Treaty of Paris 1783 to formally recognize the United States as an independent and free nation.
