U3: American Revolutionary War Flash Cards

George Washington

George Washington

Served as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army; led the Americans in a surprise attack against the Hessians at Trenton, NJ

Horatio Gates

General who helped the Continental Army gain a victory at Saratoga; however, faced a devastating defeat at Camden

Benedict Arnold

General well-known for helping the Continental Army gain a victory at Saratoga; switched sides to British Army upon being offered a higher rank

Marquis de Lafayette

French aristocrat and military officer who greatly helped the Continental Army; known as “the soldier’s friend”; a close friend of George Washington

Francis Marion

Military officer who was persistent in driving British troops out of the Carolinas; due to his irregular methods of warfare, he is considered one of the modern fathers of guerrilla warfare and is known as the Swamp Fox

Nathanael Greene

General put in charge of the Southern Continental Army after the Battle of Camden; led the Americans to a victory at the Battle of Cowpens, successfully ending the British occupation of the South

Daniel Morgan

General who worked alongside Nathanael Greene to lead the Americans to victory at the Battle of Cowpens

Baron von Steuben

Prussian and American military officer; trained the Continental Army troops at Valley Forge

George Germain

British Secretary of State for the American Department; promoted or relieved British Generals, took care of provisions and supplies for the British troops, and became involved with the strategic planning of the war

William Howe

Served as Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in America; General who fought in Battle of Bunker Hill, Battle of Brooklyn, and then attacked Philadelphia

John Burgoyne

General given command of the British forces at Saratoga

Henry Clinton

Served as Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in America after William Howe; General who fought in Battle of Bunker Hill, Battle of Brooklyn, Battle of Monmouth, and Siege of Charleston

Charles Cornwallis

General of the British Army; though he was heavily involved throughout the war, he oftentimes is best remembered for surrendering his force of about 8,000 soldiers at Yorktown, ending the major battles of the Revolutionary War

Battle of Brooklyn Heights

(Long Island, NY) First major battle after the signing of the Declaration of Independence; Considered the largest battle of the war; British troops gained control in New York

Battle of Trenton

(NJ) This was a surprise attack following Christmas celebrations! Americans captured around 900 hessians, killed 22, and wounded 83

Battles of Saratoga

(NY) Following this battle several European nations started supporting Continental Army; American victory; turning point of the war because it showed Europe that the Americans could win the war

Winter at Valley Forge

(PA) While 25% of the Continental troops died, there was a renewed spirit of hope with their new military training; Washington’s soldiers lacked supplies - made soldiers weaker; On New Years, received new supplies

Battle of Monmouth

(NJ) Ended the string of major battles fought in the North; British ran to safety, Washington camped with his army nearby; ended as a tie

Attack & Siege on Savannah

(GA) First of several defeats in the South, but people like Francis Marion harassed the British troops in upcoming months; Americans were unsuccessful; American troops under Benjamin Lincoln tried to recapture it

Siege of Charleston

(SC) Another port city and was the largest Southern city at the time; British army led by Clinton trapped American forces in largest southern city

Battle of Camden

(SC) Nathanael Greene replaced Horatio Gates after this battle; The American were defeated again; it was a devastating loss for them

Battle of Cowpens

(SC) Victory proved that Americans had mastered the formal battle tactics of the British; American Generals Nathanael Greene and Daniel Morgan led the Americans to a victory

Siege of Yorktown

(VA) The last major battle of the war; Cornwallis surrendered his force of about 8k soldiers

Treaty of Paris of 1783 (Who / When)

Signed on September 3, 1783; Signed by John Jay, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin

Treaty of Paris of 1783 (Important Parts)

Great Britain agreed to recognize the United States of America as an independent nation; Great Britain gave up its claim to all lands between the Atlantic Coast and the Mississippi River, from the border of Canada to Florida; Congress recommended the U.S. return all rights and property taken from loyalists during war; Each side would repay debts it owed to the other; British would return any enslaved persons they had captured; Neither side fully lived up to their agreements; Redrew the national boundaries with little concern for Native Americans