Major Battles & Turning Points
This Massachusetts location was where the "shot heard 'round the world" was fired in April 1775 to open the Revolutionary War
What is Lexington and Concord?
A larger population, a well-trained standing army, and a superior navy represented key advantages for this side at the start of the conflict
Who were the British (Great Britain)?
This primary author wrote the Declaration of Independence in July 1776 to explain to the world why the colonies were breaking away from Great Britain
Who is Thomas Jefferson?
Many African Americans enlisted in the Continental army because they hoped that American independence would lead to this social outcome
What is the end of slavery (abolition)?
Under the terms of the Treaty of Paris of 1783, Great Britain officially recognized this crucial status of the United States
What is American independence (an independent nation)?
On Christmas night 1776, George Washington led his troops across this icy river to launch a surprise attack on Hessian mercenaries
What is the Delaware River (Battle of Trenton)?
To expand his military forces in North America, King George III hired 30,000 German mercenaries known by this name
Who were the Hessians?
For African Americans, and especially slaves, the Declaration of Independence made them wonder if these words applied to them
What are "all men are created equal"?
The majority of Native American groups sided with the British because Britain promised to protect their ancestral lands from this colonial action
What is encroachment (settler expansion)?
As a result of territorial agreements in the Treaty of Paris of 1783, control of colonial Florida was transferred to this European nation
What is Spain?
This 1777 battle in New York is considered the major turning point of the war because the American victory convinced France to enter as an official ally
What is the Battle of Saratoga?
During the first two years of the war, 90 percent of the Continental army's gunpowder came from this European nation
What is France?
To rally discouraged Patriot troops in late 1776, General Washington read aloud from this inspiring Thomas Paine pamphlet that opens with "These are the times that try men's souls"
What is The Crisis?
Legendary battlefield participant Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley earned this famous nickname after taking her husband's place at a cannon during the Battle of Monmouth
Who is Molly Pitcher?
Fearing retaliation from victorious Patriots, more than 80,000 Loyalists fled the United States to settle in this British territory
What is British Canada?
During the winter of 1777–1778, Continental troops endured harsh cold and hunger at this Pennsylvania camp while Prussian drillmaster Baron von Steuben retrained them into an organized fighting force
What is Valley Forge?
A major political weakness for the Continental army was that this governing body lacked the power to raise money through taxation
What is the Continental Congress?
Colonists who supported the fight for American independence were known as Patriots, while those who remained loyal to King George III were called this
Who were the Loyalists (or Tories)?
This woman dressed as a man and joined the Continental Army to help fight
Who is Deborah Sampson?
This wealthy 19-year-old French nobleman volunteered his service, purchased supplies with his own funds, and became a trusted aide to George Washington
Who is the Marquis de Lafayette?
Trapped by American land forces and French warships blocking Chesapeake Bay, British forces surrendered at this final major battle of the war
What is the Battle of Yorktown?
Polish Jewish immigrant Haym Salomon personally supported the American cause by providing over this amount in financial aid to fund the Continental army
What is $650,000?
Enlightenment political philosophy directly shaped the Declaration of Independence by asserting that government authority derives from the consent of the governed to protect these
What are natural rights?
This enslaved African American poet wrote a stirring poem honoring George Washington to inspire public confidence in his military leadership
Who is Phillis Wheatley?
Map analysis of wartime group divisions shows that strong Loyalist support was concentrated heavily in these two southern colonies
What are Georgia and South Carolina?