1. Lexington and Concord, 1775
First official battles of the American Revolution
Nicknamed “The Shot Heard Around the World”
Battle fought by militia and/or minutemen
What important information is missing? (Click the slide and read from it)

2. Battle of Saratoga, 1777
Turning point of the American Revolution; first major American victory.
Led to an alliance with France in 1778
First major American victory of the war
What information is missing? (Click the slide and read it)

3. Winter at Valley Forge, 1777-1778
25% of the American soldiers died from malnutrition, exposure to the cold, and diseases such as smallpox.
Leadership of George Washington prevented many desperate soldiers from deserting the American army.
American soldiers lacked clothing, boots, shelter, and food.
Someone tell me what is missing. Read from the slide.

4. Battle of Yorktown, 1781 Last major battle of the American Revolution
British General Cornwallis surrenders
French navy blockaded British forces at Chesapeake Bay preventing them from receiving supplies or escaping American attacks
What information best completes this last battle of the American Revolution? Read from the slide.

5. Leaders of the American Revolution
Our “Founding Fathers”, played an important role in creating the United States of America.
Whether it was protesting British laws, drafting inspirational political documents, or fighting on the battlefield; the influence of these men can still be felt in today’s society.
Let’s list the accomplishments of our Revolutionary leaders on page 14.
Read from the slide.

6. Thomas Jefferson Primary author of the Declaration of Independence
Served as a delegate of the First and Second Continental Congresses
Served as governor of Virginia during the revolution
Remember that Thomas Jefferson is elected President of the United States in He was our third president.

7. Samuel Adams Leader of the Sons of Liberty
Organized boycotts and riots protesting British taxation of the colonists
Who was his famous cousin? (John Adams, our 2nd president)

8. Thomas Paine Author of Common Sense
Wrote a series of pamphlets urging the colonists to separate from England and fight for independence

9. George Washington Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army
Elected president of the Constitutional Convention in 1787
Elected as the first president of the United States
The bravery and military accomplishments of Washington during the French and Indian War and the American Revolution made him a hero in the eyes of American citizens. He was unanimously elected to serve as our country’s first president because he was respected and liked by all.

10. Benjamin Franklin
Negotiated the Treaty of Alliance with France in 1778
Served on a committee of five chosen to draft the Declaration of Independence
Served as a delegate at the Second Continental Congress
What is the name of the plan he wrote in 1754 before the French and Indian War? (Albany Plan of Union) What did he encourage colonists to do? (Unite to form one country to defend itself against foreign attacks)

11. John and Abigail Adams
John represented British soldiers accused of murder during the Boston Massacre
John was a co-author of the Declaration of Independence
Abigail encouraged John to “remember the ladies” when drafting the Constitution
John Adams would become our second U.S. president and many credit his wife Abigail for beginning the fight for equal rights for women long before the actual reform movement started. Abigail was a very outspoken and intelligent woman. John gave her credit for many of his speeches and accomplishments.

12. Haym Solomon Joined the New York Sons of Liberty in 1776
Encouraged Hessian mercenaries to desert the war effort
Helped convert French loans into cash to help finance the revolution
Without his help, the United States would not have had enough money to fight the war against England. What is a mercenary? (A hired killer or assassin) Because he spoke German, he convinced many Hessians (Germans) to stop the fight against the U.S.

13. Bernardo de Galvez
Spanish governor of Louisiana who fought with rebels against England
Smuggled goods to Americans after British blockade during the war
City of Galveston named in his honor
The Spanish served as an important ally for the Americans during the revolution. Galvez joined the U.S. fight for freedom long before Spain officially entered the war in 1778.

14. James Armistead
Joined Continental Army under Marquis de Lafayette in 1781
Posing as a runaway slave, he served as a spy and supplied information to help defeat British at Yorktown
Granted his freedom by Virginia assembly in 1787
After gaining his freedom, Armistead bought his own land and produced his own crops. He even bought slaves to work his property. Believe it or not, many free African Americans bought and owned slaves in the United States before slavery was abolished in 1865.

15. Patrick Henry
Virginian patriot that led the opposition to the Stamp Act of 1765
Gave the "Give me Liberty, or give me Death!" speech at the House of Burgesses
Anti-Federalist who wanted a Bill of Rights added to the Constitution
What is the meaning of Henry’s famous quote? (Freedom is worth dying for) Let’s examine the map on page 15 together.