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French and English Enlightenment
Philosophers during this time were a huge inspiration for the idea of human independence. John Locke was one of these philosophers who the Congress referenced for the Constitution and D.O.I. -
John Locke (Social Contract and Natural Rights)
John Locke was a philosopher during the Enlightenment and made many contributions to the development of the idea of human rights and independence. His piece “Natural Rights” was the mad inspiration for the Declaration of Independence. -
George Washington
A general of the Revolutionary War, he led the battle of Yorktown which won the colonists the Revolutionary War. He took over when the war was over and helped build the country from the ground up. -
Thomas Jefferson
This was a delegate during the Revolutionary war that wrote the Declaration of Independence and helped to build the government from the ground up after the war, although he never fought in the war. -
Lexington & Concord
This was the first battle against the colonists and the British Army which was the beginning of the Revolutionary War. The British won this battle, and the colonists faced a horrible defeat. -
Second Continental Congress
The second continental congress was formed on the verge of the Revolutionary war. Their function was to make treaties, discuss war bonds, move supplies, and decide army strategies. This was the colonists’ ways to feel like they had control of the situation. -
Bunker Hill
This battle was fought when the British tried to invade Boston and seize it and took place there. The British had successfully won this battle due to the overflow of resources that were available to them. Pushing the colonists to feel defeated once again. -
Olive Branch Petition
This was a document made by congress that basically said that they stood by the Crown and were loyal British citizens. It was the first attempt to avoid the war. -
Spain
Spain was an ally to the American colonies as well as France. They helped bring soldiers and weaponry to the colonies and waged war on the British. -
Declaration of Independence
this was the official document that was written by delegates of the colonies that declared that they would no longer be negotiating with the British, instead they would be fighting for their rights. It served as a sort of list of demands. -
Trenton
This was a location of the Battle of Trenton that was a surprise attack on the British on Christmas. George Washington organized this attack and they rowed across the Delaware. The British were still drunk from the festivities of Christmas and it was a victory for the Colonial army after the Hessian army surrendered. -
Princeton
This battle took place in New Jersey shortly after the Battle of Trenton, which was a defeat for the British. This was also led by George Washington and led the British to strengthen their army. -
Saratoga
Many battles took place here starting in Sep. and ending in Oct. The Battle of Quebec also took place here, which was a failed take-over by the Canadian Army. After a long series of battles, the Continental army came through as victorious, putting them at a stunning advantage -
Valley Forge
This was General Washington’s army camp after Congress had fled Philadelphia when the British took it over. When Washington’s army had failed to retake Philadelphia, he took almost 12,000 of his men to Valley Forge where they stayed until the july of the following year, planning their next move. -
France (Treaty of Amity Commerce, Treaty of Alliance)
France was a huge source of support for the colonies during the Revolutionary War. They gave the colonies ships and ammunition as well as French soldiers and aid. This treaty basically sealed the deal with them and in return the colonies said that they would help them fight for their independence as well. (spoiler alert America stabs them in the back.) -
Cowpens
This was where the Battles of Cowpens took place in South Carolina during their campaigns there. This Battle was led by General Morgan. More than 800 soldiers on the British side were either captured or killed. The Continental Army took this as a victory and gave them just the right morale boost they needed to keep fighting. -
Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown was the final battle that won the colonies the War and their independence. This is also known as “The World Turned Upside Down”. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
This treaty was the end mark of the Revolutionary War, which was signed by both America and Great Britain. All the lands East to the Mississippi were given to the Americas and America was seen as an independent country from that point forward.