5 American Revolution

Alliance with France

During the American Revolution, an alliance between the United States and France. France promised to provide financial and military support against the British. The alliance was secured after the American victory at Saratoga.

American Crisis

Written by Thomas Paine, a series of pamphlets printed and spread throughout the colonies to encourage Patriots to continue fighting during the American Revolution.

Articles of Confederation

The first form of government for the United States. It gave more power to the states and created a weak federal government that could not tax, making it ineffective. It was later replaced by the U.S. Constitution.

Baron von Steuben

A Prussian military officer who aided the colonists during the American Revolution. He helped train and discipline the Continental Army during the winter at Valley Forge.

Battle of Kings Mountain

In October 1781, American frontiersmen defeated British forces invading North Carolina. It was a major victory for the Patriot militia.

Battle of Long Island

In August 1776, British forces led by General Howe defeated the Continental Army led by George Washington, forcing American retreats and British control of New York.

Battle of Saratoga

In October 1777, the Continental Army led by General Horatio Gates defeated General Burgoyne. It was a major turning point that led France to ally with the colonies.

Battle of Trenton

In December 1776, George Washington crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night and captured a Hessian force, boosting morale and recruitment.

Battle of Yorktown

In October 1781, the final major battle of the American Revolution. British General Cornwallis surrendered, effectively ending the war on land.

Benedict Arnold

A Continental Army general who switched sides and joined the British Army in 1780 after being passed over for promotions. He is remembered as a traitor.

Benjamin Franklin

An American Revolutionary, inventor, and diplomat who helped secure French financial and military support for the colonies.

Charles Cornwallis

A British general during the American Revolution who commanded forces in the South and surrendered at Yorktown.

Citizen Soldiers

Members of colonial militias who were called away from their farms to fight in the war.

Confederation Congress

The governing body created under the Articles of Confederation. It lacked the power to tax and struggled to maintain a standing army.

Continental Army

The army that fought for the American Patriots during the Revolution. It was formed in 1775 and led by George Washington.

Daniel Boone

An American frontiersman who helped establish a trail through the Appalachian Mountains via the Cumberland Gap and became a folk hero.

Direct Democracy

A form of government in which citizens vote directly on laws and policies rather than electing representatives.

First Continental Congress

In 1774, 55 delegates from 12 colonies met in Philadelphia to address the Intolerable Acts and issued a Declaration of Rights and Grievances.

George Rogers Clark

An American Patriot who captured Fort Vincennes in 1779, helping secure the Northwest Territory for the United States.

George Washington

Commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution and later the first President of the United States.

Henry Clinton

A British general who replaced William Howe as commander of British forces in the colonies.

Henry Knox

An American Patriot who helped transport artillery from Fort Ticonderoga and later became the first Secretary of War.

Hessians

German mercenaries hired by the British to fight during the American Revolution.

Horatio Gates

A Continental Army general who defeated British General Burgoyne at the Battle of Saratoga.

John Adams

An American Revolutionary, diplomat, and later the second President of the United States. He also defended British soldiers after the Boston Massacre.

John Burgoyne

A British general who captured Fort Ticonderoga but surrendered to American forces at Saratoga.

King George III

King of Great Britain during the American Revolution.

Loyalists

American colonists who supported Great Britain during the Revolution. After the war many fled to Canada or England.

Marquis de Lafayette

A French soldier who fought with and helped train the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

Militia

Civilians trained to fight as soldiers but not part of the regular army.

Morristown

George Washington's winter camp in 1776, marked by harsh conditions, disease, and the controversial use of smallpox inoculation.

Nathanael Greene

A Continental Army general known as the 'Fighting Quaker.' He successfully retook much of the South using a war of attrition strategy.

Patriots

American colonists who supported independence from Great Britain during the American Revolution.

Redcoats

A nickname for British soldiers based on their red uniforms.

Representative Democracy

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives to make laws on their behalf.

Republican Ideology

A belief in limited government, civic virtue, and opposition to corruption that influenced American political thought.

Second Continental Congress

Met in 1775 with delegates from all 13 colonies. It managed the war effort, adopted the Declaration of Independence, and ratified the Articles of Confederation.

State Constitutions

Governments created by individual states to limit government power and protect citizens' rights.

Thomas Jefferson

Author of the Declaration of Independence, diplomat to France, and third President of the United States.

Thomas Jeremiah

A free African American in South Carolina who was accused of encouraging enslaved people to side with the British and was executed after a trial without a jury.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

The peace treaty that ended the American Revolution. Britain recognized the United States as an independent nation.

Valley Forge

The winter encampment of the Continental Army in 1777-1778, marked by shortages, disease, and military training led by Baron von Steuben.

Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom

A law prohibiting state support of religious institutions and reinforcing freedom of worship.

William Howe

A British general who fought against American forces at Bunker Hill and Long Island and failed to support Burgoyne, contributing to the British defeat at Saratoga.