American Revolution, American Revolution

Lexington and Concord

A 1775 conflict between colonial minutemen & British soldiers attempting to take the colonists' large store of arms; began the Revolutionary War, British governor Thomas Gage sent troops to Concord to stop the colonists who were loading arms. The next day, on April 19, 1775, the first shots were fired in Lexington, starting the war. The battles resulted in a British retreat to Boston.

Common Sense

A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that claimed the colonies had a right to be an independent nation.

Loyalist

A person who supported the British during the American Revolution

Patriot

A person who supported the colonists during the American Revolution, a colonist who wanted to break free from Britain's rule

Colonial Militia

A volunteer group of soldiers that did not like British rule. Played useful roles in many battles , especially as the support and reinforcements for the Continental Army regulator.

John Paul Jones

American naval commander in the American Revolution (1747-1792) said " I have not yet begun to fight." Father of the Navy.

Continental Army

Army formed in 1775 by the Second Continental Congress and led by General George Washington

General Cornwallis

British general who surrendered at the Battle of Yorktown

General George Washington

Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. Brilliantly led America to victory and freedom in the American Revolution. Became 1st US president

george washington

Commander of the Continental Army. He had led troops (rather unsuccessfully) during the French and Indian War, and had surrendered Fort Necessity to the French. He was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, and was much more successful in this second command.

Marquis de Lafayette

He was very rich and noble when he arrived in America at the age of 19 years old. He believed in the liberty that the Americans were fighting for and asked to help. He became a general on Washington's staff and fought hard. He was known as "the soldier's friend," and is buried in france but his grave is covered with earth from Bunker Hill.

Battle of Yorktown (1781)

Last major battle of the American Revolution. *Historical Significance:* Prompted the British government to negotiate an end to the conflict.

Yorktown

Last major battle of the Revolutionary War. Cornwallis and his troops were trapped in the Chesapeake Bay by the French fleet. He was sandwiched between the French navy and the American army. He surrendered October 19, 1781.

minutemen

Member of a militia during the American Revolution who could be ready to fight in a minute.

thomas paine

Patriot and writer whose pamphlet Common Sense, published in 1776, convinced many Americans that it was time to declare independence from Britain. He also wrote The American Crisis to urge colonists to join the fight against the British.

Saratoga

The battle which was the turning point of the Revolution because after the colonists won this major victory, the French decided to support us with money, troops, ships, etc.

Treaty of Paris of 1783

This treaty ended the Revolutionary War, recognized the independence of the American colonies, and granted the colonies the territory from the southern border of Canada to the northern border of Florida, and from the Atlantic coast to the Mississippi River.

Battle of Saratoga

Turning point of the American Revolution. It was very important because it convinced the French to give the U.S. military support. It lifted American spirits, ended the British threat in New England by taking control of the Hudson River, and, most importantly, showed the French that the Americans had the potential to beat their enemy, Great Britain.

Winter at Valley Forge

Washington and troops were low on supplies, food, and clothing. Because it was a harsh winter, 1/5 of soldiers died.

Valley Forge

Washington and troops were low on supplies, food, and clothing. Because it was a harsh winter, 1/5 of soldiers died. Name given to the 1777-1778 encampment at Valley Forge by the American military under General Washington. It was America's first real effort to field a professional military against the British.

Ally

a country that agrees to help another country achieve a common goal, ie. American Revolution - French were allies.

Mercantilism

an economic policy under which nations sought to increase their wealth and power by obtaining large amounts of gold and silver and by selling more goods than they bought

Parliament

government in Great Britain

propaganda

material distributed by those in favor of a specific cause and reflecting their point of view, Ideas spread to influence public opinion for or against a cause.

Foreign Recognition

the act by which one nation acknowledges that a foreign government is a legitimate government and exchanges diplomats with it

surrender

to give in or give up; to accept defeat