War for Independence By: Mr. Luvera

The British fought to protect the colonies, so the colonists should pay part of the costs. The final war between Great Britain and France was called the French and Indian War in In 1759, Quebec, Canada was captured. The French lost their colony. The French were no longer able to threaten the British colonies in North America. This war had been expensive for Great Britain. The British government badly needed money and decided to raise taxes in the colonies.

"Bringing Down the Statue of King George in New York" by unknown artist Library of Congress

An early American political cartoon originally published in Benjamin Franklin's Pennsylvania Gazette newspaper. Pennsylvania Gazette newspaper

"The Declaration of Independence", mural by John Trumbull The Continental Congress voted to break away from Great Britain.

An early American political cartoon originally published in Benjamin Franklin's Pennsylvania Gazette newspaper. Pennsylvania Gazette newspaper

Benjamin Franklin ( ) Scientist Inventor Publisher of the Pennsylvania Gazette Author of Poor Richard’s Almanac Member of the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention Signer of the Declaration of Independence

General George Washington crossing the Delaware at the Battle of Trenton on Christmas night 1776 by Emmanuel Leutze

General Burgoyne surrenders to General Gates at the Battle of Saratoga 17th October 1777 Major General John Burgoyne commanded the British and German force. Major General Horatio Gates and Brigadier Benedict Arnold commanded the American army.

He commanded a light division in the Battle of Yorktown and was a close associate of George Washington. Marquis de LaFayette ( ) French citizen who joined America's Continental Army during the Revolutionary War voted Major General by the Continental Congress

In his later years, he established himself as "a missionary of world revolution.” Thomas Paine ( ) Revolutionary War writer, gained fame as author of Common Sense, The Crisis, The Rights of Man and The Age of Reason. Served in the War as aide to Gen. Nathanael Greene, and appointed by Congress as secretary to the committee on foreign affairs.

Benedict Arnold ( ) Prominent U.S. army officer, secretly arranged with British Major John Andre to hand over West Point to British; after discovery of his treason he fled to the British side, became General in British Army, led raids against American forces.

Charles Cornwallis ( ) A British general and colonial governor, Gen. Charles Cornwallis served with distinction during the American Revolution. He won the battle of Brandywine and captured Philadelphia in 1777 and Charleston in 1780 — but was finally forced to surrender to Washington at Yorktown in 1781, ending the war.

Nathanael Greene ( ) Revolutionary War General, studied law under Thomas Jefferson, led American forces in major battles, supreme commander of Continental Army in Sept., 1780; his battlefield strategy forced Cornwallis to Yorktown.

Baron von Steuben ( ) Served under Washington at Valley Forge, inspector general of Continental Army, trained troops & wrote drill manual adopted by Continental Army, commanded a division at Battle of Yorktown, military planner to Washington following end of the War.

Thomas Jefferson ( ) Founding father. Author of the Declaration of Independence and the Virginia statute for religious freedom, member of the Continental Congress, statesman, diplomat, Secretary of State, Vice- President, 3rd President of the United States, founder of the University of Virginia.

Alexander Hamilton ( ) Founding father, first Secretary of the Treasury, advocate of strong national government, member of the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention, co-author of the Federalist Papers, proposed Bank of the U. S., helped create Federalist Party, died in a duel with rival Aaron Burr.

Benjamin Franklin ( )

Marquis de LaFayette ( )

Thomas Paine ( )

Benedict Arnold ( )

Charles Cornwallis ( )

Nathanael Greene ( )

Baron von Steuben ( )

Thomas Jefferson ( )

Alexander Hamilton ( )