Key Figures and Events of the American Revolution

Declaration of Independence

Written by T.Jefferson; establishes natural rights for U.S. & declared U.S. independence from G.B.

Mum Bett

Massachusetts slave sued for her freedom after war and won.

Articles of Confederation (AOC)

(1777) - Drafted by John Dickinson; first constitution of the U.S. which include state sovereignty.

Paul Revere

Patriot rides who warned Lexington & Concord of the oncoming British.

Friedrich von Steuben (Steuben)

Prussian general who updates & trains the Continental Army at Valley Forge, P.A.

Marquis de Lafayette (Lafayette)

French colonel who was G.W.'s right hand man who helped train the Continental Army.

Thaddeus Kosciuszko (Kosciuszko)

Polish general who trains the Continental Army's artillery.

Casimir Pulaski(Pulaski)

Polish general who trains the Continental Army's cavalry.

George Rogers Clark (Clark)

Patriot Indian fighter who defeated Br. Henry 'the Hair Buyer' Hamilton on the frontier.

"Mad" Anthony Wayne (Wayne)

Patriot who fought like the Indians on the frontier.

Chief Joseph Brant (Chief Joseph)

British allied/backed Indian chief on the frontier.

General William Howe (Howe)

Br. general; Takes NYC & Philly; fired after Battle of Saratoga.

General Henry Clinton (Clinton)

Br. general; takes over for Howe; focus is on the 'Southern Strategy'.

General John Burgoyne (Burgoyne)

Br. general who surrendered at Saratoga.

Southern Strategy

Br. strategy adopted in 1778 to focus on the $ colonies of the South & to untie Loyalist support.

John Paul Jones (Jones)

Continental Navy captain; 'I have not yet begun to fight'.

Francis Marion (Marion)

'Swamp Fox'; used guerilla tactics to bother the British in the South.

Nathaniel Greene (Greene)

Led Patriot victory v. Loyalists @ King's Mountain, S.C.

Henry Knox (Knox)

Continental artillery general who brought cannons to Boston.

Alexander Hamilton (Hamilton)

Continental colonel & G.W.'s right hand man during the war.

Siege of Yorktown

Last battle of the Revolutionary War where Br. general Cornwallis surrenders.

"World Turned Upside Down"

Song that the British played during their surrender @ Yorktown.