People
George Washington
"Shots heard around the world"--conflict between MA colonists and British soldiers that started the Revolutionary War
Lexington and Concord
These are small groups of men (not professtional soldiers) who were quickly trained to go into battle.
militias
Strengths of Continental Army
--strong leadership (George Washington)
--knew the land
--foreign aid from the French
--time
--the cost of the war wore down Britain
the crime of betraying one's country, especially trying to overthrow the government
treason
author of Common Sense
Thomas Paine
Last major battle of the Revolutionary War. Cornwallis was caught between the French and American troops in Chesapeake Bay and then surrendered on October 19, 1781.
Battle of Yorktown
These colonists stayed true to their King/Britain.
What were the Loyalists.
Weaknessess of Continental Army
--inexperienced militia
--untrained soldiers
--shortage of resources
the idea that all humans are born with rights, including life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness (main concepts of the Declaration of Independence)
natural rights
Enlightened Philosopher who argued that people have natural rights (life, liberty, and property)
John Locke
This was the turning point of the American Revolution because it convinced the French to give the US military support.
Battle of Saratoga
July 4, 1776 statement that said the colonies were separating from Britain and gave the reasons why they wanted independence
Declaration of Independence
Strengths of the British Army
--better supplies
--better trained troops
--has a Navy
--help from Hessians (hired German soldiers)
This man actually wrote the Declaration of Independence.
Thomas Jefferson
American army camp where many soldiers died from freezing weather, diseases and lack of supplies
a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that claimed the colonies had the right to be independent and helped persuade colonists to fight against the British
Common Sense
Weakness of British Army
--weak military leadership
--didn't know the land
--didn't change military tactics
--didn't have the motivation to win
French soldier who joined General Washington's staff and became a general in the Continental Army
Marquis de Lafayette
The document ended the Revolutionary War, recognized the independence of the colonies, and gave the colonies the territory from the southern Canadian border to the northern border of Florida to the East of the Mississippi River
Treaty of Paris 1783
philisophical movement which started in Europe in the 1700s and spread to the colonies--focused on government and how people should have more power than kings/monarchy
Enlightenment