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John Locke
John Locke was a writer in the 17th century, he wrote essays that heavily influenced the founding fathers. His ideas about democracy and opposition to the crown are still influencing our government today. -
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English Enlightenment
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French Enlightenment
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George Washington
George Washington was a general in the revolutionary war. He directed the army who won the battle of Yorktown and was ultimately the head of the entire army. After the war was won, he became the first US president. He was one of the founding fathers as well. -
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, and was one of the founding fathers. He did not fight in the war, he instead spent his time with the French Government, trying to negotiate and help them achieve freedom from the monarchy. He then became the 3rd president of the US. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
This was the first battle in the Revolutionary war. Britain won. This battle was influential as it was the first battle. We had some losses and so did Britain. -
Second Continental Congress
This was the first attempt at forming a unified government in the colonies. This was influential because it sparked the idea for the Declaration of Independence and they later made the American Flag. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
This Battle was one of the first fought in the Revolutionary war and America lost. It was significant because it made the patriots realize that it was going to take a lot to beat the British and they needed more. -
Olive Branch Petition
This was a petition made by colonists that stated they did not want to go to war and they stated their loyalty to the King. This was significant because it proved that not everyone was in favor of the war because of how it would hurt some people. -
Declaration of Independence
This document was the official commitment of treason by the founding fathers and the colonies. It is significant because it caused anger towards the colonies and it was the first document stating that we were independent from Britain. -
Battle of Trenton
This was a battle that was of extreme significance to the revolutionary war because this was the first battle that we won. It was a fast and easy defeat against the British and this is where things started looking up. -
Battle of Saratoga
This battle was another victory for the colonists and was significant because it was when everything shifted and the colonists started to come out on top. -
Battle of Princeton
This was yet another battle won by the colonists. It raised their confidence and hopes in winning and was overall very significant for that reason. -
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Valley Forge
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French Treaties
These treaties stated that France was an ally of the colonies and sent military assistance to help them fight. This was significant because France had a lot of military power and helped the colonists very much. It also caused Spain to join the war as well. -
Spain Joins the War
Because Spain was an ally of France, they were an ally of the colonies, so they declared that they sided with the colonies and joined the war. This was significant because Spain had a good military and navy which helped the colonies out a lot as they now had France and Spain on their side. -
Battle of Cowpens
The colonists fought so good in this war that the effects of their strategic victory could still be seen in Yorktown the next fall. -
Battle of Yorktown
This was the battle that won the war. It raged on for a long time and it was extremely difficult on the British which is why they surrendered. This led to the Treaty of Paris and is why we have independence today. -
Treaty of Paris