VOCABULARY | U1C3 | the American Revolution

American Revolution

the struggle of the colonies in North America to gain their independence from Great Britain

Continental Army

the American army during the American Revolution

ally

a nation that joins another nation in some common effort, such as fighting a war

treaty

a written and signed agreement between two or more countries

Hessians

German soldiers hired by Britain to fight in the American Revolution

Battle of Long Island (also known as Battle of Brooklyn)

Aug. 1776; a major early Revolutionary War battle where British forces defeated the Americans and took control of New York City

Battle of Trenton

Dec. 1776; a surprise attack by George Washington's army on Hessian forces that gave the Americans an important victory

Battle of Saratoga

Oct. 1777; a key American victory that convinced France to help the colonies in the Revolutionary War

Valley Forge

1777-1778; Winter camp where George Washington's army trained and survived harsh conditions during the Revolutionary War

Battle of Monmouth

June 1778; a hard-fought battle in New Jersey, where Washington's army forced the British to retreat, showing improved American strength

Battle of Yorktown

Sept.-Oct. 1781; the last major battle of the Revolutionary War, where American and French forces defeated the British, leading to their surrender

Treaty of Paris

1783; the agreement that officially ended the Revolutionary War and recognized American independence

guerrillas

soldiers who are not part of a regular army

dragoons

soldiers on horseback

Redcoats

nickname for the British soldiers

tri-corner hat

the classic colonial hat

minutemen

militia ready to fight at a minute's notice

powder horn

a horn that held gunpowder

treason

betraying you country

broadside

a large printed poster or announcement