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Benjamin Franklin
Considered to be one of the Founding Fathers of America. His role during the American Revolution was a part of the committee that wrote the Declaration of Independence. He was also involved in acquiring France's help in the war. Franklin was a patriot and lived from 1706-1790 -
George Washington
George Washington was a member of the patriots and lived from 1732-1799. George Washington served as the commander in chief of the revolution and won the Battle of Trenton against the Hessians. He later became the first president of the United States. -
Paul Revere
Paul Revere lived from 1735-1818 and was an American patriot that is most famous for warning the patriots of the British arrival to war. Revere warned the patriots before the battles of Lexington and Concord in order to prepare the minutemen. Revere was also apart of the Boston Committee of Correspondence. -
Lord Cornwallis
Lord Cornwallis lived from 1738-1805 and was a British army officer and colonial administrator, or a loyalist. Lord Cornwallis is most known for his defeat at the Battle of Yorktown. Cornwallis led his group of British into Yorktown where he surrendered to the Patriots and French Navy. -
Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold lived from 1741-1801. Arnold began the war as a general for the patriots, but is infamous because he later switched to the British side. Arnold commited treason and betrayed the Americans as he became a traitor working with Britain. Arnold was also apart of the Battle of Saratoga. -
Sugar Act
British parliament implemented the Sugar Act in 1764 which began the taxing of the American colonists in order to help pay for the French and Indian war. The Sugar Act enabled a tax on sugar and molasses that made the colonists have to pay extra. This event is significant to the American Revolution because it was the foundation of taxing. It led to more future taxing upsetting the colonists. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was imposed in 1765 by British parliament. The Stamp Act forced colonists to pay extra taxes on paper-like products such as newspapers, stamps, and other legal or commercial documents. The Stamp Act was significant to the American Revolution because it was the first tax imposed that American colonists truely did not like. -
Quatering Act
The Quartering Act was another policy passed by the British parliament that had a huge effect on the American colonists. This act made colonists have to house the British soldiers under command of them. Colonists were forced to give them shelter, food, and more. If the colonist failed to meet the accomodations, consequences were at risk. This is significant to the American Revolution because it was another act that had an impact on pushing the colonist's anger over the edge, leading to rebellion -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was an event involving British soldiers and American colonists. British soldiers opened fire on a group of unarmed colonists and killing 5 of them, one being Crispus Attucks. Colonists instigated the fight by throwing things at the British. This event was significant to the American Revolution because it was used as propaganda to "fire up" the colonists to rebel. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was am event that was instigated by the Patriots. It was an act of political protest that was led by the Sons of Liberty and Samuel Adams. Colonists disguised as indians boarded a British ship and dumped loads of British tea overboard. This is significant to the American Revolution because it rallied the patriots together and angered the British. The British then imposed later acts in response to the loss of tea. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord took place in 1775 and was won by the British. Lexington and Concord were the first battles of the American Revolution and were warned by Paul Revere. This was was significant because though the patriots lost, they showed that they were capable of fighting with the British. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill took place in Massachusetts during the siege of Boston in 1775 and was won by the British. Once again the patriots benefitted from this loss because the British army suffered many deaths and it also served as a huge confidence boost for the patriots. -
Battle of Trenton
The Battle of Trenton took place in New Jersey on December 26th, 1776. The day after Christmas, George Washington led his patriot army across the Delaware river were they unexpectedly attacked the Hessians and won the small, but prominent battle. This battle was a moral victory as many patriot soldiers were reenlisting due to this win. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga took place in near the Hudson river of New York in 1777. This battle is considered the turning point in the war because the American patriots beat the British emphatically. This win led to future patriot wins and eventually the war. -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown took place in Yorktown, Virginia in 1781. With the help of the French Navy, the colonists were able to trap Lord Cornwallis and his British army in this town and force him and his army of 8,000 British troops to surrender. This is significant to the American Revolution because it was the falling action of an American victory and American independence.
