1. People of the American Revolution

2. Commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.
Great leader and had the ability to rally troops and unify a military that had sub par supplies, poor equipment, and little training.
Credited for the American victory of Britain
George Washington

3. Benedict Arnold Military hero for both sides in the same war
He began his career as an American Patriot in May 1775, when he and Ethan Allen led the brigade that captured Fort Ticonderoga
Led an attack on Quebec and an assault at Saratoga
The whole time he was sending military intelligence to his British contact, Major John Andre. Andre was caught with incriminating documents in Arnold's handwriting, including routes of access to American forts.
Benedict Arnold

4. John Paul Jones Born in Scotland and fled to America
Defeated the British Serapis which inspired Americans
“I have not yet begun to fight!”
Considered “Father of the U.S. Navy”
John Paul Jones

5. Marquis de Lafayette French nobleman
Wanted a military career and believed in American cause
Major General in the Continental Army-Highest French rank
Helped secure French support for the patriots and was able to obtain French troops and supplies
Marquis de Lafayette

6. Baron von Steuben German officer
Asked by Washington to train army into a skilled fighting force
Drilled American soldiers at Valley Forge and turned them into skilled fighters
Many of his tactics and military training are still practiced and are the basis for the U.S. military today
Baron von Steuben

7. James Armistead African American slave who pretended to be a runaway
Worked as a “double agent spy” for George Washington
He relayed information to the Patriot Commanders that aided them in a victory at Yorktown
James Armistead

8. Haym Salomon Polish born Jewish immigrant
Member of the Sons of Liberty
Convinced many Hessians to desert the British military
Arrested as a spy by the British but escaped before being hanged
Became a financial broker and helped finance the U.S. Continental Congress using his own money
Haym Salomon

9. Descendant of Spanish nobility and became Governor of Louisiana Territory
Due to “bad blood” between Spain and Britain, he sided with the Americans during the war
Instrumental in buying Spanish weapons, gunpowder, clothing and many other vital supplies that were essential to the colonial army
Galveston, Texas is named in his honor
Bernardo de Galvez

10. British Generals Howe Clinton Burgoyne Cornwallis
Gen. William Howe-Led the British troops in attacked Breed's Hill. He won many battles for the British but made strategic mistakes.
Gen. Henry Clinton-In 1775, second-in-command to General Howe and a savvy military strategist. In 1778, he succeeded Howe as supreme British commander in America. Throughout his generalship, he remained dissatisfied with denied requests for supplies from Britain, and tried to resign twice. He failed to reinforce Cornwallis at Yorktown, where the Americans won the decisive victory that ended the war.
Gen. John Burgoyne-British Major General; his bold plan of invading the American colonies from Canada ended in his surrender at Saratoga, N. Y.
Lord Charles Cornwallis- In 1778, he became second in command of the British forces. Two years later he led the fateful Carolina campaign, which directly led to Yorktown, the major British defeat, that ended the fighting.
Howe
Clinton
Burgoyne
Cornwallis
British Generals

11. Women of the Revolution
Abigail Adams-Wrote letters to her husband, John Adams, that help historians understand the Revolutionary era. She wanted women to obtain equal status with men when forming the new government. Also known to have advocated for public education for girls.
Mercy Otis Warren-Writer who authored plays, poems and essays supported the idea of independence. Her writings convinced many in Massachusetts to become Patriots.
Phillis Wheatley-African American slave who became an esteemed poet and wrote many poems to George Washington expressing her support.
Women of the Revolution