American Revolution

John Adams Boston Lawyer Cousin of Sam

Adams Defended British

soldiers in Boston Massacre

Delegate at the 1st and 2nd Continental Congresses

Sam Adams Leader of the Sons

of Liberty Delegate at the

Continental Congresses

Cousin of John Adams

Massachusetts

Patrick Henry Delegate at the

Continental Congresses

Virginia “Give me liberty, or

give me death”

John Hancock President of the

Continental Congress

One of the wealthiest colonists

Merchant Colonial politician

Paul Revere Silversmith Patriot Engraved Boston

Massacre Midnight Rider Lexington and

Concord “The British are

coming”

“The British are Coming”

Thomas Jefferson Delegate from

Virginia Student of the

Enlightenment Declaration of

Independence Died on July 4,

1826

George Washington Virginia Veteran of the

French and Indian War

Land Surveyor Commander of the

Continental Army

Thomas Paine Author of the book

Common Sense 150,000 copies

sold in the colonies Inspired the

colonists to fight for freedom

Influenced the writing of the Declaration of Independence

Benjamin Franklin Convinced Thomas

Paine to move to the colonies

Inventor, author, philosopher

Poor Richard’s Almanac

Leading American negotiator in Paris

Abigail Adams Wife of John Adams Supporter of

independence Advocate for

women’s rights Future 1st Lady

Marquis de Lafayette 19yr old nobleman

from France Became

Washington’s most trusted soldier

Bernardo de Galvez Spanish governor

of Louisiana Provided money

and supplies to the Patriots

Prevented British ships from Entering the Mississippi River

Baron Von Steuben German volunteer Drill Instructor Trained soldiers

during the winter at Valley Forge

The Continental Congresses 1st Continental

Congress Fall of 1774 Philadelphia, PA 12 out 13 colonies

attended Declaration of

Resolves

2nd Continental Congress

May of 1775 Philadelphia, PA All the colonies

attended Olive Branch

Petition Declaration of

Independence

Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson

July 4, 1776

“all men are created equal”

Women, African slaves, and Native Americans were left out

Lexington and Concord April 19, 1775 British troops sent

out to arrest John Adams and John Hancock

“Minute Men” engage British troops

200 Red Coats killed or wounded

British Strengths and Weaknesses Strongest military

in the world Red Coats have 6

times more fighting experience

Leader in Manufacturing

Established Government

Strong Economy

Did not take the Americans serious

Long supply lines British thought

they were fighting a traditional war

American Strengths and Weaknesses

Fighting to win independence

Defense of their homes and land

European Support

Congress couldn’t tax to raise money for army

No central government

Poor economy Lack of supplies Divided people

Women during the War

Women ran farms and shops left behind by their husbands.

They made blankets, clothing, and shoes for the soldiers.

They served in the army as nurses and spies.

Some helped fire cannons or served as soldiers disguised as men

Women at War

Military Strategies

The Americans Guerilla Style War War of Attrition Form alliances with

France and Spain

The British Divide the colonies Blockade colonial

ports Divide the colonists

by using Loyalists against the Patriots

Battle of Trenton

Battle of Saratoga“Turning Point of the War”

Winter at Valley Forge

Battle of Monmouth

The Patriot

General Cornwalis

The Patriot

The Patriot

Treaty of Paris 1783 Treaty was negotiated by Ben

Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay. It gave the colonies their

independence from England. It marked new boundaries for the

creation of a new nation. The United States stretched from the

Atlantic Ocean west to the Mississippi River.

The United States 1783

Costs of the War 1,300 land and sea

battles 25,324 American

losses 6,284 Americans killed

in action 10,000 Americans died

of disease 8,500 Americans died

as POW’s

$11,710,379 in debt No Central

Government 13 colonies acting as

13 independent countries

No power to tax Articles of

Confederation were weak