Post on 17-Dec-2015
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