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Thayendanegea (Joseph Brant)
Thayendanegea, also known as Joseph Brant, was a leader of the Native American tribe known as the Mohawks. Brant was appointed captain of the English army by Britain on an intent to get the Mohawk tribe on their side and fight against the Continental Army. Brant's participation in New York City´s capture of 1776 granted him the name of "Monster Brant" due to the intensity with which he fought, making him a memorable figure of the Revolution and a hero for Great Britain. -
Declaration of Independence
After the uprising tensions between Britain and the United States started increasing, the colonies viewed independence as a necessity for their own success. After various years of constant oppression and exploitation, 56 radicals such as John Adams sought for independence in urgent matters as a way to free the U.S from the mother country. When signing this document, the radicals created a significant change not only in the U.S government, but in the freedoms established up to our present day. -
Washington's Battle Plan for Trenton
In 1776, George Washington insisted his army to fight in the Battle of Trenton against Hessians, which were German troops hired by the British to fight against the Continental Army. Andreas Wiederholdt, a Hessian lieutenant, mistakenly reported that there was no available route for retreat after being surrounded by Colonists. Given this advantage, the Continental Army proceeded to overpower Hessians despite being malnourished due to the harsh weather, granting them a major landslide victory. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga, which took place in September and October of 1777, is considered a major turning point in the American Revolution due to the essential victory taken by the Patriots. The Battle of Saratoga brought Americans many advantages throughout the Revolution specially by being the motivation for which the French entered the war against Britain. With Frances´ involvement in war, the U.S had a stronger army and was provided with supplies, allowing them a better performance in war. -
Oneida Indian Tribe
The Oneida Indian Tribe also known as the First Allies, were one of the few Native American tribes to fight with Colonists against Britain. By being a cultural and economic anchor for the region,the Oneida Tribe was able to serve one of its major accomplishments during the winter of 1777, when they were able to conduct a relief mission in which they carried bushels of corn to help feed Washington's starving army at Valley Forge. This provided the army with the necessary aid to continue fighting. -
The Daughters of Liberty
The Daughters of Liberty were a political group of rebels that was formed by women such as Abigail Adams and Sybil Ludington in response to the unfair British taxes.To demonstrate their discontentment with the British government, these women participated in boycotts and helped manufacture goods with American resources to limit the colonies' dependency on Britain.By leading their own version of the Boston Tea Party in 1777 recognized as the Coffee Party, a demand for independence was manifested. -
Committee for Foreign Affairs
The Committee of Correspondence which was renamed the Committee for Foreign Affairs in 1777, was established by the Continental Congress as a way for Americans to communicate with Europeans and serve for public relations or international diplomacy purposes in which the Committee participated in the negotiation of illicit shipment of weapons or similar practices. The Committee was formed by Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Johnson, John Dickinson, John Jay, and later Robert Morris. -
The Culper Spy Ring
The Culper Spy Ring, which was established by Benjamin Tallmadge in 1778, was known to be the most effective network for gathering information on either side of the U.S Revolution. Amongst the greatest achievements made, the Culper Spy Ring was able to uncover British threats in 1780 in which the mother country was planning to attack the newly arrived French troops in Rhode Island. Without this discovery, the French and American alliance could have been damaged or destroyed. -
Marquis de Lafayette
Marquis de Lafayette was a French military officer and aristocrat known for his significant accomplishments during the Revolution.Also known as "The Hero of Two Worlds", Lafayette fled from France to join the Continental Army.Beyond serving the U.S as an intelligent leader, Lafayette was able to serve the army with tactical leadership and by securing provisions from France to aid the Colonies.In 1778, Lafayette was able to outsmart British troops at Bunker Hill, giving the U.S a huge advantage. -
Esther DeBerdt Reed
By funding the Ladies Association of Pennsylvania, Esther Reed became known for her unconditional support during the American Revolution.After hearing about the desperate conditions in which the army was encountered from her husband Jospeh Reed, the Ladies Association of Pennsylvania was able to raise $300,000 with which they were able to supply the army. Esther's efforts to aid the army and patriotic activities broadened the role of women at the time, making her a heroic figure in history. -
James Armistead
Born in 1748, James Armistead was a slave who volunteered to join the Continental Army in 1781 with his master's permission under Lafayette's command. By portraying himself as a runaway slave, Armistead served the Colonists as a spy by infiltrating General Cornwallis' headquarters easily. Armistead was able to provide the U.S with information that allowed the Contintental Army to succeed at the Battle of Yorktown by preventing Britain from sending 10,000 soldiers to the battlefield. -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown is considered as the most important battle of the Revolutionary War between the Continental Army against the British army lead by Charles Cornwallis. During battle, Washington ordered Lafayette and 5,000 soldiers to block Cornwallis' escape from Yorktown by land while the French blocked their escape by sea. By September 28, Washington had Cornwallis' troops surrounded and after three weeks, the war for independence was ended. (The Americans by Holt McDougal pg. 118)
