The American Revolution

Key People & Events

Key People•King George III- British

King•Lord Cornwallis- British

general- surrendered at Yorktown

•John Adams- Championed cause of independence

Key People•George Washington-

Commander of the Continental Army

•Thomas Jefferson- Major author of the Declaration

of Independence

Key PeoplePatrick Henry- Outspoken

member of House of Burgesses; VA politician “Give me liberty, or give

me death”•Thomas Paine- journalist-

wrote Common Sense

Key People•Benjamin Franklin- Member of the Continental Congress- helped with the Declaration

of Independence•Phyllis Wheatley- former

slave- wrote poems and plays about independence

•Paul Revere- Patriot who rode to warn colonists of British

arrival

Key Events•Boston Massacre- colonists in

Boston shot for taunting British soldiers

•Boston Tea Party- led by Samuel Adams and Paul Revere protested the Tea

Tax- threw tea into the Boston Harbor

Key Events•First Continental Congress-

Delegates from all colonies (except Georgia) met to

discuss problems and promote independence

•Battle of Lexington & Concord- Site of first armed conflict

Key EventsPOP QUIZ:

When was the Declaration of Independence Approved:

JULY 4, 1776•Battle of Saratoga- American victory- turning point of War-

French decided to help colonists

Key Events•Surrender at Yorktown-

marked end of War- surrender by Lord

Cornwallis and British forces

•Treaty of Paris- By signing this the British recognized American independence

Reasons for Colonial victory over the British in the Revolutionary War

•Defense of their own land, principles, and

beliefs•Support from France &

Spain•Strong leadership