Boston Massacre - Answers The first bloodshed of the American Revolution (1770), as British guards at
the Boston Customs House opened fire on a crowd killing five Americans
England taxed the colonies... - Answers to pay for the French and Indian War
Lexington and Concord - Answers first battles of the Revolutionary War, Americans were willing to fight
for the right to govern themselves
George Washington - Answers Commander of the Continental Army, his leadership gave the Americans
a HUGE advantage over the British in the American Revolution, earned his reputation as a great leader
from the French and Indian War, first president of the US, his first job was a land surveyor
"American" - Answers George Washington used this term first
"Don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes!" - Answers Battle of Lexington
Common Sense by Thomas Paine (1776) - Answers helped bring about idea to popularity that America
should not be part of GB, colonies must declare their independence
Declaration of Independence - Answers the document recording the proclamation of the second
Continental Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the independence of the colonies from Great Britain, right
to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
Battle of Trenton - Answers The Americans surprised (SURPRISE ATTACK IN THE WINTER!) the Hessian
troops guarding Trenton and took most of them prisoner; the Americans won. Demonstrated that
Americans could beat the British and their allies
Valley Forge (1777-1778) - Answers Encampment where George Washington's poorly equipped army
spent a wretched, freezing winter. Hundreds of men died and more than a thousand deserted. The
plight of the starving, shivering soldiers reflected the main weakness of the American army-a lack of
stable supplies and munitions.
Battle of Saratoga - Answers 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.
Treaty of Paris - Answers agreement signed by British and American leaders that stated the United
States of America was a free and independent country, U.S land extended to the Mississippi, England
lost control of America, it was signed in Paris, France
Deborah Sampson - Answers Patriot who disguised herself as a man and served in the Continental Army.
Haym Salomon - Answers Jewish American who helped negotiate for financial assistance from France
and Holland to help pay for the Revolutionary War. He raised money needed by Washington to pay for
, the Battle of Yorktown, Virginia., member of the Sons of Liberty, he is given credit for raising the most
money to finance the Revolution, yet died penniless. He also was the spy who spoke many languages
that tried to convince the German mercenaries to leave the British Army
Marquis de Lafayette - Answers French soldier who served under George Washington in the American
Revolution (1757-1834)
Benedict Arnold - Answers American General who was labeled a traitor when he assisted the British in a
failed attempt to take the American fort at West Point., was offered money in exchange for American
secrets. Escaped to England where he later died, always known as a traitor
Charles Cornwallis - Answers A British general, he lost to Nathaniel Green in one campaign. He was
humiliated by his defeat in the colonies. He finally lost at the Battle of Yorktown, commonly known as
the end of the war, in 1781., he had 8,000 troops
Battle of Yorktown (1781) - Answers last major battle of Revolution, takes plae in Virginia,. French navy
and ground troops were crucial to victory.; Britain, France, and the U.S. were all involved, Cornwallis
surrendered with his 8,000 troops
King George III - Answers King of England during the American Revolution, highly disliked by the
colonists., ignored the colonists' demands for represenation in Parliament
Samuel Adams - Answers American Revolutionary leader and patriot, Founder of the Sons of Liberty and
one of the most vocal patriots for independence; signed the Declaration of Independence, organizer of
Boston Tea Party
General Friedrich von Steuben - Answers helped train Washington's troops at Valley Forge
John Adams - Answers America's first Vice-President and second President. Sponsor of the American
Revolution in Massachusetts, and wrote the Massachusetts guarantee that freedom of press "ought not
to be restrained.", he was the first and strongest supporter of an independent America
revolution - Answers a complete change and overthrow of a government
Hessians - Answers German soldiers hired by George III to smash Colonial rebellion, proved good in
mechanical sense but they were more concerned about money than duty., fighting on the side of the
British, captured by Washington (Trenton)
boycott - Answers to refuse to buy one or more goods from a certain source. An organized refusal by
many people is also called a boycott.
Congress - Answers the legislature of the United States government, lawmaking body/group of America
Militia - Answers A group of civilians trained to fight in emergencies
British Advantages and Disadvantages - Answers British advantages