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John Locke
A political philosopher whose political theory on natural rights and his social contract presented the idea of checks and balances in the government which became the foundation of the US Constitution. -
French and English Enlightenment
the Enlightenment played a big part in reasoning for the war starting, the colonies saw how they didn't receive the freedom of speech, press, religious tolerance that other nations were getting -
George Washington
Known as the father of our country, the first president of America, was also the commander of the Continental army during the American revolution, and also drafted the US Constitution. He ultimately led the colony to victory over the British -
Thomas Jefferson
He wrote the Declaration of Independence which officially declared the American Colonies were completely free of British authority and influence. -
Lexington and Concord
It was the start of the American Revolutionary was. The British Army went to capture rebel leaders in Lexington and to destroy weapons and ammunition American were storing in Concord. -
Second Continental Congress
It was a significant step of declaring America's independence from Britain, it began the normal functions of a government, appointed ambassadors, issued paper currency, appointed generals, etc. It took place after the revolutionary war had already began. -
Bunker Hill
This was a huge confidence boost for the colonies even though they lost because they caused a great amount of casualties against the British and was a training ground for the inexperienced American troops. The British only succeeding their third try because the colonies ran out of ammunition. -
Olive Branch Petition
Created in order to please the king and to prevent the colonists and British governments conflict from escalating into a war. This was the final attempt to avoid going to war and the colonists pledged their loyalty to the crown and declared their rights as British citizens -
Declaration of Independence
It contains the ideals and goals of the America, it contains the complaints against the British King, it also contains the arguments the colonists used to explain why they wanted to be free from the ruling of the British. Known as one of the most important documents in the history of the US. -
Trenton
The colonies finally got a win by defeating a regular army in the field, it increased the colonies confidence, and it stimulated enlistments and current soldiers to reenlist. They defeated a intimidating defense of Hessian mercenaries before withdrawing. -
Princeton
One of the most important victories of the American revolution, it boasted the American soldiers confidence and Morales leading the Americans to believe they had a chance to win the war. -
Saratoga
A major turning point in the war and it boosted both the American colonies and the Frenches morale into wanting to support the Americans with military aid. -
Valley Forge
A militia of disparate colonists emerging under Washington's leadership as a unity and disciplined fighting force. It is known as a major turning point in the American revolutionary war with so many defeats leading the Congress to want to replace Washington in fear that he was incompetent. -
France (Treaty of Amity & Commerce; Treaty Alliance)
They implemented Enlightenment ideas into a political system, they provided military supplies and even helped with reinforcement at the final battle of Yorktown. -
Spain
Spain declared war on Britain as an ally of France and an ally of the American colonies and provided supplies and munition for the American forces, along with financing the final siege of Yorktown. They bought significant victories against Great Britain and bought the war towards a defeat of the British -
Cowpens
The most decisive American Victory of the War giving a major boost to Patriot morale, inflicting casualties that the British couldn't replace and led to Cornwallis's surrender at Yorktown that fall -
Yorktown
This battle marked the ending of the last major battle of the American Revolution and the start of a new nations independence. It also changed Washington's reputation back to a great leader and eventually to the first president of the US. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
Signed by the US and British Representatives ending the War and recognizing the US as independent and also granting the US significance Western territory doubling the size of the new nation.