American Revolution Key Events and Figures Study Guide

Second Continental Congress

Convened in 1775; coordinated colonial war effort and moved toward independence.

Bunker Hill

Battle in June 1775; heavy British casualties; demonstrated colonial resolve.

Olive Branch Petition

1775; last attempt at reconciliation with Britain; rejected by George III.

Hessians

German mercenary soldiers hired by Britain to fight in the American Revolution.

Common Sense

1776 pamphlet by Thomas Paine; urged independence from Britain.

Declaration of Independence

1776; colonies officially declare independence; authors include Jefferson, Adams, Franklin.

Declaration of the Rights of Man

French Revolution document; influenced by American ideals.

Loyalists

Colonists loyal to Britain; faced persecution and property confiscation.

Patriots

Colonists fighting for independence from Britain.

Battle of Long Island

1776; British victory in New York; Washington retreats.

Battle of Trenton

1776; Washington crosses Delaware; surprise attack on Hessians; boosts morale.

Battle of Saratoga

1777; turning point in NY; Burgoyne surrenders; secures French alliance.

Model Treaty

1776; guide for US diplomatic relations emphasizing commerce, not politics/military.

Privateers

Privately owned ships authorized to attack British merchant vessels; disrupted trade and raised morale.

Battle of Yorktown

1781; Cornwallis surrenders; decisive Franco-American victory.

Paris Treaty of 1783

Britain recognizes US independence; sets generous boundaries; addresses Loyalists and debts.

Thomas Paine

Author of Common Sense; influential in promoting independence.

Abigail Adams

Wife of John Adams; advocate for women's rights and advisor to her husband.

Lord Charles Cornwallis

British general; surrendered at Yorktown, 1781.

William Howe

British general; led campaigns in NY and Philadelphia.

John ("Gentleman Johnny") Burgoyne

British general; surrendered at Saratoga, 1777.

Benjamin Franklin

American diplomat in France; key negotiator of Treaty of Paris.

John Jay

American envoy; secretly negotiated with Britain to secure favorable peace.

John Adams

American envoy; vigilant for New England interests during peace talks

George Washington

Commander-in-chief of Continental Army; led campaign at Yorktown and kept army together during crises

Battle of Monmouth

1778; indecisive; Washington attacks British retreating to NY; shows army discipline

French entry into war

1778; France allies with US; provides troops, naval power, and money

Spanish entry into war

1779; allies with France; seeks British territories like Gibraltar and Florida

Armed Neutrality Pact

Russia-led alliance passively resisting Britain; isolates British diplomatically

King's Mountain

1780; Patriot militia defeats Loyalist force in South Carolina

Battle of Cowpens

1781; decisive American victory in South Carolina; boosts southern campaign

Strategy of Delay

Nathanael Greene tactic; stand and retreat to exhaust British forces

Westward expansion

Frontiersmen continued moving west despite war; place names reflect Revolutionary battles

"Hair Buyers"

British agents paying for American scalps; incited frontier Indian attacks

George Rogers Clark Campaign

1778-1779; captured key British forts in Illinois and Ohio River region

American Navy

Small fleet; mainly harassed British shipping; notable officer: John Paul Jones

Privateering

Over 1,000 armed private ships attacking British commerce; raised morale and brought gold

Inflation & economic struggles

1780-1781; currency devaluation; government nearly bankrupt

Yorktown Siege

1781; Washington and Rochambeau march to Chesapeake; de Grasse blocks British fleet; Cornwallis surrenders

French-American cooperation

Key factor in victory at Yorktown; France provided majority of naval power and half of troops

Native Americans postwar

Left out of Treaty of Paris; lost land and political influence in North American interior

Civil War perspective

Revolution as a civil war; Americans vs Loyalists; both sides claim to represent true English values