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French and English Enlightenment
This was a time of enlightenment and reason. Many documents during this time were used in or inspired the Declaration of Independence. Some of the works by John Locke and other philosophers were very important in influencing the American Revolution and others. Early:1685-1730 High:1730-1780 Late:1780-1815 -
John Locke
John Locke had very famous ideas like his opinion on the Social Contract and Natural Rights. He believed that people were born with natural rights of life, liberty, and property. He also believed that everyone was born as free and equals. Died 1704 -
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George Washinton
From 1754-63 Washington fought in the French and Indian war. Later on, he became a Commander in Chief for the American Revolution from 1775-83. He lead and won many battles at this time. After America Claimed its independence, Washington became president on April 30th, 1789 and resigned March 4th, 1797. -
The Battle of Lexington and Concord
On the night of April 18 British troops began marching towards Concord to seize a arms cache. Paul Revere and others caught on and began to warn the people "The British are coming!" The Batlle of Lexington and Concord is also known as "The shot heard round the world." -
Second Continental Congress
Congress voted to go to war even though the war had already started in Lexington and Concord. This made the American Revolution "official." -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
In order to keep the British from claiming the hills around Boston, Prescott and his troops settled on Breed's Hill near Bunker Hill. They lost this battle and the territory went to the British. This battle made the American's realize that they could overcome the British with their patriotism. -
Olive Branch Petition
Colonists begging the King to prevent future hostile actions until a form of agreement can be agreed on or made. They requested that the punishment of unfair taxes be stopped. They also talked about their loyalty to the King and the Throne in the document. The king denied it and said the colonies were in "a state of rebellion." -
Thomas Jefferson
Was a previous lawyer. He drafted the Declaration of Independence and was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. Before coming back to help America he was in France helping draft a declaration for their revolution. Jefferson was also secretary of state later on in America's independence. Third U.S. President. -
Spain
(I don't really have a date for this) Spain was an ally with both France and America which meant that there was more help for America in the revolution. Britain was now fighting with France and Spain. Spain also supplied America with weapons and munitions. -
The Declaration of Independence.
This declaration was signed by the founding fathers of the U.S. This document declared independence to the American Colonies. The preamble of this document seems to be where some of the Enlightenment's ideas say "we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal." -
Battle of Trenton
General Washington surprised British troops at Princeton after they (the British) stopped fighting for the winter and waited till spring to pick back up. They took 900+ soldiers prisoner. Look to the Battle of Princeton for significance in the American Revolution. -
Valley Forge
Six cold months the American Soldiers were resting. The cold wasn't the worst part about it but the worst was that the soldiers weren't dressed appropriately, they were unprepared, and disease began to spread. Even though they lost a lot of men here it still caused the men to come out stronger which proved to be useful in the Battle of Monmouth later on. -
Battle of Saratoga
Several battles during Saratoga were fought and won: Freeman's Farm and Bemis Heights. In Freeman's Farm, the Americans won with fewer casualties (with the help of Germans.) Then after this battle, the American troops kept growing while the British troops stayed almost the same and they were running low on supplies. The British Troops tried to move from their settlement to get to safety but the Americans had beat them to it and defeated them again. (I'm running out of space) -
Battle of Princeton
January 3, 1777 troops attacked the British at Princeton again and reclaimed the territory they once had. This was an advancement in the revolution because America had now reclaimed land that the British had taken over. -
French Treaty of Amity and Commerce/ Treaty of Alliance
These treaties linked France and America together in alliance and trade. They wanted to trade each other and have the promise that if one were in trouble the other would help. Both sides helped. -
Battle of Cowpens
This was a battle near the northern border of South Carolina. This slowed Lord Cornwallis' plan to invade North Carolina. The British lost 600 men while America only lost 72. -
Battle of Yorktown
Ended Oct 19, 1781. Lead by George Washington against British Lord Cornwallis. There were 9,000 British Troops in Yorktown. Long story short, America won this battle and this lead to the surrender which lead to the Treaty of Paris ---> -
Treaty of Paris
This treaty declared America as a free country. The people who considered this treaty in England saw it as an opportunity to use less money to control the colonies and still continue to get money from them by trade.