Leaders of the American Revolution

Patrick Henry “GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH!” He was trying to persuade colonists to rebel and break away from Great Britain.

Ben Franklin

Inventor, printer, patriot and diplomat. Franklin convinced the French to join the colonists and fight the British. The colonists would never have won the war without the aid of the French

Thomas PaineThomas Paine was not an early supporter of the American Revolution, but became a dedicated revolutionary after fighting began. His 1776 pamphlet Common Sense was very successful and had an important influence on American public opinion towards the revolution. It caused many neutrals to become patriots!!

Samuel AdamsPopular patriot and agitator Samuel Adams is famous for organizing colonial resistance to British policies in Massachusetts. His patriot group, the Sons of Liberty, was the one of the sparks that lit the Revolutionary War.

Alexander Hamilton

Washington’s aide during the Revolutionary War. He went on to become our first Secretary of the Treasury, literally saving the USA from economic collapse.

George Washington

                                                                                                                                                 

Commander of colonial forces! Not afraid to attack when he had the advantage or retreat when he was outnumbered. His actions preserved the Continental Army.

Thomas Jefferson

Author of the Declaration of Independence (when was it signed?). Many of Jefferson’s democratic ideals mentioned in the declaration came from John Locke, while the list of grievances came from Thomas Paine.

Battles of the American Revolution

LEXINGTON

The first shots fired between the “redcoats” and the “minutemen.” It was a “SHOT HEARD ROUND THE WORLD!!”

Bunker HillJune 17, 1775

Though a lack of ammunition during the third attack cost the rebel forces the fight, the heavy British casualties sustained at the Battle of Bunker Hill reinforced the American determination to win independence from Britain and ended any real hope of reconciliation

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DON’T FIRE TILL YOU SEE THE WHITES OF THEIR EYES!!

TrentonGeorge Washington crossed the Delaware River to attack the German mercenaries fighting for the British in Trenton, New Jersey in December 25, 1776.The victory gave the colonists renewed hope!Washington, however, had his troops retreat to Valley Forge.

Valley ForgeFrom December

1776 to June 1778, Gen.

George Washington led the Continental Army through

severe hardship during its

encampment at Valley Forge,

Pennsylvania.

SaratogaBritish general John Burgoyne surrendering to Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates at Saratoga on October 17, 1777. The American victory at the Battle of Saratoga is considered a major turning point in the war in that France subsequently entered the conflict on the Americans' side.

YORKTOWN!

The Battle of Yorktown in 1781, the last major conflict of the American Revolution.Besieged by Gen. George Washington's army and trapped by a French naval force offshore, British general Charles Cornwallis was forced to surrender.