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French and English Enlightenment
Also known as the Age of Reason, this time period covered the 18th Century, and occurred when enlightened thinkers in Britain, France, and the rest of Europe questioned traditional leadership and concepts of rational change as multiple books, inventions, and laws were made. Ideals from this period directly inspired and impacted the American and French Revolutions, which was significant as this led to new governmental ideals surrounded upon human improvement and ideas of Romanticism. -
Lexington & Concord
This series of battles would occur on April 19, 1775 and its impact ultimately led to the start of the American Revolution. The British Army wished to destroy the Americans weapon and ammunition in Concord and capture rebel leaders such as Samuel Adams, ultimately leading to the Americans defeating the British, which would be a great victory for the colonists. This was significant because it started the revolution and because it would eventually lead to America gaining independence from Britain. -
Second Continental Congress
This was the follow up to the First Continental Congress, and occurred after the beginning of the Revolution. It was during this time in which it was decided that a Continental Army would be formed, that the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence would be selected, and that George Washington would lead this army. This would be significant as it would be this army under Washington's leadership that would eventually defeat Great Britain with the help of its allies. -
Bunker Hill
This was near the location of the Battle of Bunker Hill, which occurred early on during the American Revolution in Massachusetts. The British defeated the Americans during this, but was significant and impacted the Continental Army because the Americans gained confidence during this battle, as they injured the British badly during it while giving the British worries about how the war would affect their own economy. -
George Washington
Selected by the Second Continental Congress, George Washington was the commander in chief of the Continental Army during the revolution, and was very significant in aiding the Americans and leading them to victory and independence, later leading to the creation of the United States of America. He would later serve two terms as the first U.S. President, setting a precedent of presidency while becoming a national hero and an important historical figure. -
Olive Branch Petition
Adopted by the Continental Congress, this document was meant to appeal to King George III in order to express the colonist's hopes for reconciliation between Great Britain and the colonies in an effort to prevent the war, as citizens wished to pledge their loyalty to the King, and to show they were against his government, not him directly. It was rejected by King George III, signifying that war was now inevitable and that the war between Great Britain and the colonies was coming. -
Thomas Jefferson
A key figure in America's early stages, Thomas Jefferson was significant for many reasons as he made many impacts on America. During the Revolution, Jefferson served in Virginian Legislature, the Continental Congress, and was the governor of Virginia. He wrote the Declaration of Independence, a significant document used when America became independent from Britain. He later in life became the 3rd United States president, after he served as the 2nd Vice President of the United States. -
John Locke (Social Contract and Natural Rights)
John Locke was a central figure during the French and English Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution. He ultimately established ideas which claimed that men are all naturally free and equal, and that they give up some of their rights to the government in a 'social contract' in order to gain rights of liberty and property, which would be significant as these ideals and rights would be used in the creation of the United States of America and its laws within the Constitution after independence. -
Declaration of Independence
Signed by 56 members of the Second Continental Congress, this is one of the most important documents of America and history. It's significant because it contains the ideals and goals of America, it contained complaints against the British King, and it contained arguments explaining why America wanted to be free from British rule. Its impact is also significant, as it led to the birth of the United States of America, led to the expansion of democracy, and established basic rights such as freedom. -
Trenton
Located in New Jersey, this site is where George Washington won the Americans first battle against Loyalists during the American Revolution. Before the battle that would occur here, Washington and his army crossed the Delaware River on Christmas Day, 1776 where over a period of ten days they would win two crucial battles of the revolution. This was significant because it was a turning point for America, which aided the colonists which would lead to America gaining independence from Britain. -
Princeton
Located in New Jersey, this site is where George Washington won the Americans second battle against Loyalists during the American Revolution. Before the battle that would occur here, Washington and his army crossed the Delaware River on Christmas Day, 1776 where over a period of ten days they would win two crucial battles of the revolution. This was significant because it was a turning point for America, which aided the colonists which would lead to America gaining independence from Britain. -
Saratoga
Located in New York, this was the site where the Battle of Saratoga occurred during the American Revolution. This battle was significant in that, after the Americans won, the French were persuaded to help the Americans in their war for independence from Britain. This battle had a large impact on the war, as it boosted the Continental Army's morale while earning aide from the French, which would allow for America to win their revolution, gaining freedom from Great Britain. -
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Valley Forge
Located in Pennsylvania, this was the site in which George Washington and the Continental Army resided in the winter of 1777-1778. Conditions were cold and harsh here, and was chosen to keep an eye on British troops in nearby Philadelphia. This place was significant as it was at this location where the Continental Army became a real, true fighting unit due to the harsh conditions. This location had an impact in that it aided the Americans in strength, which would help them defeat Britain. -
France (Treaty of Amity & Commerce, Treaty of Allegiance)
France was a crucial alley to the Americans during the American Revolution, as when their forces joined together they were able to eventually defeat Britain and gain independence for Americans. This made an impact and was significant due to the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, and the Treaty of Allegiance. The first treaty recognized America as independent, while encouraging trade between France and America. The second treaty allowed for a military alliance between the two against Britain. -
Spain
Spain was not only a central country during the American Revolution, but an integral one. After France and America formed an alliance, Spain became a supply source that provided munitions and other war-like materials to the Continental Army and the Americans. Their military also helped out, which was significant because their forces often beat Britain's, aiding the Americans. This made a big impact on the American Revolution, as this aided Americans in defeating Britain and gaining independence. -
Cowpens
Located in South Carolina, this was the site where the Battle of Cowpens occurred during the American Revolution. This was one of the most decisive American victories in their fight for independence, and was significant because it inflicted heavy casualties on the British, while forcing them to retreat. This battle had a large impact, as it led to Americans increasing their confidence with the war, while hurting the British severely, which would eventually lead to their surrender at Yorktown. -
Yorktown
Located in Virginia, this was the site where the Battle of Yorktown occurred during the American Revolution. It was here where General Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington after French and American forces trapped the British at this location. Since the British surrendered here, this ended the American Revolution. This was significant because it led to America gaining independence from Britain, which made a huge impact as the United States of America was created because of this. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
Signed by American and British Representatives, this ultimately ended the American Revolution. This occurred after peace negotiations had been ongoing after the events of the Battle of Yorktown, where the British had officially surrendered to the Continental Army. This was significant as it led to the creation of the United States of America, leading to American independence from Britain, which impacted Americans as now they were granted significant amounts of western territory by this treaty.
