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Thomas Jefferson
Was in the Continental Congress and wrote the Declaration of Independence which was adopted on July 4, 1776. Jefferson linked John Locke's writing as well to the Declaration of Independence. -
Second Continental Congress
They formed in May 1775, but their role was in June when Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution. -
George Washington
Was the leader of the Continental Army during the war. -
Princeton
Washington then attacked the British at Princeton a week after the battle at Trenton. Winning this battle filled the soldiers with great confidence. -
Lexington & Concord
The Americans won this battle. They were heavily armed and made the British suffer a huge loss of men with a 93 to 300 ratio. The British retreated to Boston but it turned into a rout with people shooting from all different angles. -
Bunker hill
The British won this battle. Doing so they had an advantage due to the Bunker Hill and Breed hill but the Americans went and defended the hill. -
Olive Branch Petition
This was made for the King not to escalating anything into a full-blown war but he rejected it then on August 23, 1775, he issued a proclamation declaring the colonies to be in a state of rebellion. -
John Locke
His writings had an impact on The Delecration particularly Second Treatise on Government. It was his thoughts of rights that they all had human and natural rights. Jefferson also made the connection between his writings and the current situation with what was happening in the colonies in order to fight for independence which was also a fight for one’s own natural rights. -
French and English Enlightenment
The Enlightenment had a major influence on the war it acted as a guide of what they were seeking which was natural rights and equality. -
Declaration of Independence
Written by Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Robert R. Livingston, Roger Sherman. Its purpose was to declare independence from the king and to announce it's self into a new country. -
Trenton
Washinton crossed his men over the Delaware River, north
of Trenton, New Jersey. Surprising the British and taking plus 900 prisoners. But this was a surprising win because they near-collapse and the supplies that were promised aid failed to appear. -
Saratoga
This was another turning point in the war and the Americans winning this battle reopened the eyes of the public that they could possibly win and so then France declared war on England. -
Valley Forge
They went througha cold rough winter in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. This proved to be the turning point of the war since they were so under supplied and lacked alot of materials. -
Spain
They aided and supplied materials for the war. They were an ally to France because they also declared war on Britain. -
Cowpens
Was known as a significant battle. The turning point in the southern colonies because it forced Britain to retreat. -
Yorktown
This is where everything ended. The British surrendered to George Washington because they were trapped from the bombing and they were heavily undersupplied as well. -
Treaty of Paris
This officially ended the war. This gave the colonies independence, freedom, and sovereignty. This came as a peace negotiation because they had a new British government.