1. Significant Individuals of the Revolution

2. King George III King of England (Great Britain)
during the American Revolution
Tightened control over the
American Colonies and they
resisted (Salutary Neglect)
Seen by colonists as a tyrant: a ruler who exercises absolute power oppressively or brutally

3. Patrick Henry
Fiery patriot and member of the Virginia House of Burgesses
Best known for his moving speech in front of the House of Burgesses, in which he ended with the phrase: “Give me liberty or give me death!”

4. Patrick Henry
“Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
~Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775
Virginia House of Burgesses

5. Samuel Adams American Patriot and leader of the Boston Sons of Liberty
Used propaganda against the
British – Boston Massacre
Organized many colonial
boycotts against taxed
British goods
Organized Boston Tea Party

6. Thomas Jefferson Politician and writer of
the Declaration of Independence
(1776)
Believed that people have the
unalienable rights “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”

7. John Adams Remembered as the lawyer who defended the British soldiers
after the Boston Massacre
He believed in reason and the law
Eventually became convinced that only outright resistance would gain liberty for America

8. Benjamin Franklin World renowned scientist/inventor
Assisted in writing the Declaration of Independence
Served as the American Diplomat to France during the French and Indian War
Helped negotiate Treaty of Paris, 1763
Proposed the Albany Plan of Union
Slogan – Join or Die

9. Thomas Paine Propagandist and journalist
In January 1776, he published his 47 page pamphlet Common Sense.
In it, he urged the colonists that only a complete break from England was the answer to all their problems
He continued to publish several pamphlets during the war, including The Crisis, encouraging the Americans to fight.

10. Common Sense
In this booklet Paine asserted that kings, in general, are bad and that America must be free to make its own way in the world (free enterprise).
Paine, through his book, helped to convince many Americans that independence from Great Britain was necessary.

11. George Washington
One of the most significant figures during the American Revolution
Resident of Virginia, he was surveyor, a planter, 
Soldier in the French and Indian War
Chosen as the General (commander-in-chief), or to lead, the Continental Army during the war (Name given to the army in the colonies)
Delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses
Chairman of the Constitutional Convention in 1787

12. Marquis de Lafayette French aristocrat and military officer
When he heard of the Americans struggle for independence, he chose to travel to America and volunteer his services as a military officer
He became a Major General in the Army as he and George Washington became very close friends
He helped strengthen ties between America and France

13. James Armistead Born a slave in Virginia in 1748.
He served as a spy during the American Revolution.
He pretended to be a runaway slave and was taken into camp by the British.
It was due in part to his information that allowed Washington and Lafayette to prevent British reinforcements at Yorktown and win the war.

14. Abigail Adams
Wife of John Adams, served as his  confidant and support while he served in the Continental Congress.
When John and others were considering a declaration of independence, Abigail reminded him to take care of the women, who would not hold themselves bound by laws in which they had no voice  (“Remember the ladies”)

15. Wentworth Cheswell African American Patriot; like Paul
Revere he made an all­ night ride back
from Boston to warn his community
of the impending British invasion
Served in the army and fought at
the Battle of Saratoga

16. Mercy Otis Warren Wife of a Massachusetts Patriot
Anonymously wrote several 
propaganda pieces supporting
the Patriot cause; used notes from meetings and conversations to write the first history of the American Revolutionary War

17. Bernardo de Gálvez
Spanish nobleman who became governor of the province of Louisiana (January,1777)
Protected American ships in the port of New Orleans, helped transport war supplies, and took up arms to fight to protect Louisiana

18. Crispus Attucks An African American Man
The first casualty of the American
Revolution when he was shot and
killed in what became known as the Boston Massacre

19. Haym Salomon 
A Polish born Jewish immigrant to America who played an important role in financing the Revolution
Arrested by the British as a spy
Used by the British as an interpreter with their German troops
Helped British prisoners escape and encouraged German soldiers to desert the British army
Became a broker to the French consul and paymaster to French troops in America 

20. John Paul Jones  
Founder of U.S. Navy and led raids on British vessels during the American Revolution

21. Esther De Berdt Reed 
Responsible for organizing a fundraising effort for the Revolutionary Army that netted more than $300,000 dollars.
Reed used the money to buy linen, and proceeded along with her group to sew over 2,200 shirts for the soldiers.
Reed also published “The Sentiments of  An American Women” calling for women to support the revolution. 

22. Deborah Sampson Fought alongside men in the Revolutionary army.
Disguised as a man, Sampson
fought for eighteen months during
the war

23. Molly Ludwig
Contributed to the war by bringing provisions to soldiers on the field as well as taking over a cannon during the Battle of Monmouth after her husband fell.
Her acts earned her, and other women who similarly helped, the nickname “Molly Pitcher” 

24. Other Officers’ Wives 
Martha
Washington
Spent time in military camps ministering to the soldiers, by sewing, cooking, and nursing the wounded
Catharine Littlefield Greene