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Common Sense
Common sense was a book written by Thomas Paine in Janurary of 1776. It was a 50-page pamphlet published in Philadelphia. It stimulated support for independence. Thomas Paine called King George III a "royal brute" because he hated the idea of being ruled by a king. He wanted people to be able to govern themselves. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is a writing that bases itself on the ideas of the Enlightment. It explained why colonists wanted to break away from being ruled by the British. The Declararion of Independence has three main sections after the introduction. Some of the stuff it talks about are general ideas abnout society and government. -
Crossing the Delaware
On Christmas night in 1776 George Washington and 2.400 men went across the Delaware rive in small boats. The river was cold and sprayed up into their faces. The soldiers had little supplies. Some didn't even have shoes to wear. When on land they marched several miles the through snow. Those with no shoes wrapped their feet in rags so that they wouldn't freeze. -
Valley Forge
In the winter 1777-1778 Washington's army built camp in Pennsylvania at Valley Forge while British officers danced awt the winter in Pennsylvania at parties and balls. The conditions in Valley Forge were very bad. Soldiers weren't getting fed, clothed, or housed. When other Americans heard about what was happening they sent help to Valley forge. -
The Final Battle
Patriot groups swept through the Deep South. By the end of summer, only Savannah and Charles Town were still in British control. Cornwallis made a mistake by moving his main army to the Yorktown peninsula. He thought the British fleet would come help his position but the French fleet chased them off right into Washinton's hands. After three weeks Cornwallis surrendered. -
The Revolution's Impact
The imediate effect was creating a new nation of 13 states linked by customs and history. The long term effects are still felt today. The Declaration of Independence brought up ideas like equality and liberty in the minds of Americans. Over time they have gained bigger meanings. The American Revolution also inspired other independence movements in places like Latin America.
