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John Locke
John Locke was an English philosopher who created the Social Contract and a believer of natural rights. John Locke believed that natural rights were "life, liberty, and property." He created the Social Contract that talks about how people give up rights for civil society and the benefits are the right to punish others who have done wrong. In the Revolutionary War, this had a great impact because these beliefs were used for the revolution. -
French and English Enlightenment
It was a European intellectual movement where ideas concerning God, reason, nature, and humanity were synthesized into a worldview. Many believed the beliefs that sparked the revolution were the same ones from the French Enlightenment. They stressed the idea of natural rights and equality. They felt that humanity could be improved by rational change. -
Thomas Jefferson
He was the primary draftsman of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, the first secretary of state, the second vice president, and the third president. During the Revolutionary War, he was elected to the Continental Congress and wrote the Declaration of Independence that stated the colonies were free of British authority and influence. -
George Washington
He was commander in chief of the Continental Army. During the Revolutionary War, he led the colonist to victory against the British. After the Revolutionary War, he served two terms as the first president. -
Lexington and Concord
These battles were the start of the Revolutionary War. The British Army set out to capture leaders in Lexington and destroy American stores, weapons, and ammunition in Concord. The impact they had was it was the start of the war. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress was the first attempt at a representative self-governance. It was during a time when an idea was radical enough to spark revolutions. It functioned as the national government by raising armies, directing strategy, appointing diplomats, and writing treaties. -
Olive Branch Petition
The petition was the last attempt at the colonist to avoid going to war with Britain by pledging their loyalty to the crown and asserting their rights as British citizens. It is significant because it shows how the colonist didn't want a full-blown war. The role it had during the Revolutionary War was trying to stop it from happening. -
Bunker Hill
The battle was fought during the Siege of Boston. The colonial forces lost but inflicted casualties on the enemy. With the casualties, the colonist received a confidence boost. The battle is significant because it gave the colonist extra confidence during the war. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is important to American democracy because it contains the ideals and goals of our nation, contains the complaints of the colonist to the British king, and contains the arguments the colonist used to explain why they wanted freedom. It was important during the Revoluntary War because it stated freedom from British rule. -
Trenton
The battle was significant because the Hessian army was crushed by Washington's raid and the Americans were rejuvenated by the easy defeat. The battle was important because it was a turning point in the war. After months of the Americans losing and retreating, the victory changed the morale of the army and country. -
Princeton
With this battle, the British lost control of New Jersey and had to retreat to New York. With this battle, the Americans felt that they had a good chance of winning the war. This battle helped during the war because the armies and country's confidence grew. -
Saratoga
These battles were a crucial victory during the revolution and are considered a turning point in the war. These battles helped to convince the French of America's strength. This is important because without the French's help the war would have been a lot harder to win. -
Valley Forge
This is where the American Continental Amry made camp during the winter. This is the place where the forces became a true fighting unit, it is often called the birthplace of the American Army. This is significant to the revolution because it was the start of the American forces. -
France
France was American's allies during the revolution that helped them win the war against the British. They created the Treaty of Alliance and the Treaty of Amity and Commerce. The Treaty of Alliance provided military alliance against Britain. The Treaty of Amity and Commerce saw the U.S. as independent and encouraged trade between France and America. This is important because they helped the colonist win the war and helped with trading and money. -
Spain
Spain declared war as an ally of France and provided supplies and munitions to American forces. They also provided the financing for the Yorktown battle. Without Spain, the American forces would have had a harder time winning the war. -
Cowpens
This battle was a victory against the British force in South Carolina. It slowed the British efforts to invade North Carolina. It was significant because it boosted the colonist morales due to the casualties the British couldn't replace. -
Yorktown
The outcome of the battle marked the conclusion of the last major battle of the revolution and started the independence. It was significant because it was the last battle before their independence was declared. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
The Treaty of Paris ended the war of the American Revolutions. It recognized U.S. independence and granted them significant western territory. it was significant because it shows the U.S. they were independent of British rule and ended the war.
