The Revolutionary War: Important People to Know A Power Point Presentation Created by Chris DeRosa Timber Lane Elementary School Fairfax County, VA January 2005

King George III ruled over Great Britain and the British colonies during the Revolutionary War.

John Locke wrote that all people have the rights to life, liberty and property. He said that government should protect the rights of people; and that government should only have limited powers that the people agree to give to the government.

Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet called “Common Sense”. His simple words expressed support for American independence.

John Adams was a Massachusetts patriot who supported independence for the colonies.

Paul Revere was a silversmith and artist in Boston. He was a patriot and one of the “Sons of Liberty”. In April 1775, he rode to Lexington and Concord to warn the colonists that the British army was coming.

Benjamin Franklin was an important Philadelphia citizen. He was a printer and a scientist. He was a member of the Continental Congress and helped to write the Declaration of Independence.

Thomas Jefferson was a delegate to the Continental Congress. He was the main author of the Declaration of Independence.

Patrick Henry was an outspoken member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. In one of his famous speeches, he declared, “Give me liberty, or give me death!”

Phillis Wheatley was a former slave. She wrote poetry and plays that supported American independence.

Lord Cornwallis was the British general who surrendered to George Washington at Yorktown in 1781.

George Washington was the commander- in-chief of the (American) Continental Army.