Who’s Who in the American Revolution Revolutionary Leaders and Others!

Abigail Adams Wife of John Adams Her letters during the Revolution are a record of the politics and events of the time Advocate for expanded rights for women

John Adams Boston Lawyer Massachusetts representative in the Continental Congress Helped draft the Declaration of Independence

Samuel (Sam) Adams Organized the Sons of Liberty for the Boston Tea Party Signed the Declaration of Independence Cousin of John Adams

James Armistead First African-American double agent of the Revolution Gained the trust of British General Cornwallis, then delivered those plans to George Washington His information helped the Americans win at Yorktown

Crispus Attucks Was a Boston dock worker of Wampanoag and African descent Was the first person killed in the Boston Massacre

Wentworth Cheswell From New Hampshire African-American Revolutionary War veteran One of the first African-Americans to be elected to public office in America

Benjamin Franklin Delegate from Pennsylvania Leader in the American Revolution Signed the Declaration of Independence Helped convince France to join the war

Bernardo de Galvez Spanish governor of Louisiana Helped the Americans during the Revolution Captured Florida for Spain during the Revolution

King George III King of England during the time of the American Revolution He implemented taxes on the colonists

Patrick Henry Strong supporter of the war between the American colonies and the British He criticized Britain in his speeches at the House of Burgess in Virginia Was famous for his quote – “Give me liberty, or give me death!”

Thomas Jefferson Wrote the Declaration of Independence, which was signed in 1776 Signed the Declaration of Independence Founded University of Virginia

John Paul Jones

The Marquis de Lafayette French noble who brought trained soldiers to help the American cause. Aided Washington at Yorktown Helped finance the war Became one of Washington’s trusted friends

Thomas Paine Wrote the pamphlet “Common Sense” This was an effort to convince colonists that a complete break with England was necessary

Haym Salomon Jewish immigrant from Poland during the Revolution Converted French loans to cash to finance the American war effort

Mercy Otis Warren Massachusetts playwright and poet In the years leading up to the Revolution, she wrote much anti-British propaganda urging citizens to challenge British authority A leading voice for women when few were even educated

George Washington Leader of the Continental Army for the American Colonists Was not present at the signing of the Declaration of Independence

Political Events of the American Revolution Meetings to the Declaration of Independence

First Continental Congress September 1774 Colonial Leaders called a meeting in Philadelphia. Agreed to boycott all British goods and stop exporting goods to Britain until the Intolerable Acts were repealed

Second Continental Congress May 10, 1775 Met again in Philadelphia Approved a petition to King George III asking for a peaceful reconciliation to the war. This was known as the Olive Branch Petition

Continental Army July 3, 1775 George Washington takes command of the Continental Army Other leaders were Benedict Arnold, Daniel Morgan, & The Marquis de Lafayette

Olive Branch Petition July 5, 1775 Sent to King George III of England It outlined their issues and asked the British government to respond and deal with them. King George III of England refused to accept the petition.

Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776 Written by Thomas Jefferson Document written to protect the rights and liberties of the American colonists

Treaty of Paris April 15, 1783 Britain recognized the United States as an independent nation Britain gave up all land claims between the Appalachian Mtns & the Mississippi River