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Benedict Arnold
Benedict ArnoldBenedict Arnold was born on January 14th 1741 in Norwich, Connecticut. He was an American military leader and was about to lead the troops to victory many times. He was quickly angered with the ignorance and incapability that the American military possessed and was offered a job in the British military, along with 10 000 pounds. The British continued to provide with generosity for Arnold and his family, but they were never capable to completely trust him. -
First Continential Congress
First Continential Congress• Delegates from the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia in 1774 to discuss the response to rising oppression of the British and show combined authority against Britain. Representatives had a lot to overcome: they had a long time distrust towards each other. On October 14th the Delcaration and Resolves was formed to create a written document of the agreements of all the colonies. October 20th the Association was founded. -
Patriots
PatriotsThe Patriots were a large number of colonists who sought American independence from British control. The colonies had no representatives in the British government, which led to revolts against the authority the British held. The patriots (who were fighting for independence) were in constant conflict with the loyalists (who supported the mother country no matter what) and eventually won the war, suffered serious numbers of casualties, but won their sole cause of the war: independence from Britain -
Loyalists
LoyalistsLoyalistsThe loyalists were North American colonists who remained loyal to Britain and their cause throughout the American Revolution. They were also referred to as Tories. They had no want for American Independence from Britain, and considered the patriots to be traitors to the mother country; Britain. -
Continental Army
Continential Army
The Continental Army was under the command of George Washington, who was put into the position of Commander-in-chief during the Second Continental Congress. This was the army that represented independence sought by the colonies. They fought against the British in many battles, including Princeton and Trenton, eventually leading the colonies to win the battle for independence. -
Second Continental Congress
Second Continental Congress
Took place after the Battle of Lexington and Concord on May 10th 1776, in the state house of Pennsylvania. The colonists were still thinking about the two battles, and felt they were ready to break away from Britain. Put the colonies into a state of defense and decided to develop their militia further, under the command of George Washington. Declaration of Independence occured. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
[Battle of Bunker Hill](• http://www.charlestownonline.net/bunkerhillbattle.htm)
• British found out that American troops were on Breed’s Hill. They attacked the Americans on June 17th 1775, and won the battle, as American troops ran out of ammunition. Both sides suffered serious losses, and the British gained control of the Charleston Peninsula. -
Common Sense
Common Sense
Common Sense was written by Thomas Paine. It was published in 1776 and challenged the authority Britain held over the colonies. It encouraged the colonies to fight for their independence, as it openly asked for the people to fight against them. It created a ton of controversy within the common people, and was a big source of political uprisings and riots, as people became more patriotic, or more loyal to Britain. -
Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence
The delegates of the colonies formed a five man committee, including : Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin and Robert R. Livingston to create a written draft that would justify the colonies’ break from Britain. The Declaration of Independence was largely written by Thomas Jefferson, and stated why the break from Britain was necessary for the growth of the colonies. -
Trenton
Trenton
The last few months of 1776 had been extremely hard for George Washington and his troops in the Continental Army. Washington knew he needed to restore the faith in his troops, and planned a surprise attack on the Hessians, as he knew they would be unprepared that night. The Hessians quickly surrendered, realizing they were outnumbered and escape routes had been blocked. This restored the faith of not only soldiers, but of other colonies into the Continental Army and Washington’s commands. -
Princeton
PrincetonThe Continental Army was able to push the surrender of the Hessians at the battle of Trenton, which caused trouble within the British Army. In a plan to retaliate the British went to fight and planned to conquer the American’s. Washington devised a plan that would allow the bulk of his soldiers to escape the wrath of the British Army. The victory of Washington allowed him better insight as to how it would be most effective to fight the war; to use small forces in outlying areas, not the entire a -
Saratoga
SaratogaThere were two parts to the Battle of Saratoga: the first on September 19th, the second on October 7th 1777, the latter part said to be the climax of the battle. With the first battle, the British lost more men than the Americans, but American’s failed to gain land. Later the British lost many more men and the colonists had victory. General John Burgoyne surrendered on October 17th, and this victory led the French to side with the Americans, and gave the necessary support to continue fighting. -
Valley Forge
Valley ForgeGeorge Washignton had selected Valley Forge to serve as an encampment site for his troops over the winter months. It was easy to defend, but allowed Washington to put pressure on the British forces due to the lack of distance between them. The Continental Army marched into Valley Forge on December 19th 1777. They suffered from lack of supplies and were extremely desperate for support, for clothing, shelter and food especially. About 2000 men had died there, and over two thirds was from disease. -
Yorktown
YorktownThe Battle of Yorktown was one of the final battles fought during the American Revolution. This started with Cornwallis making an unauthorized command to move his troops northward to combine with another British Army and plan an attack. When Washignton heard about this he planned his retaliation and marched into Yorktown on September 28th 1781, with both French and American troops which numbered 16000. Cornwallis was surrounded troops, and was forced to surrender on October 19th 1781. -
Treaty of Paris
Treaty of ParisThe Treaty of Paris was signed by between Britain and America on September 3rd 1783. Throughout the war there were a number of battles fought and both sides had suffered losses and celebrated victory. This treaty was extremely significant because it signaled the end of the revolutionary war. This gave recognition to American Independence, which was the sole cause for them to fight. Although they were left victorious, they had accumulated mass amounts of debt that affected their nation.