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The American Revolution 1775-1783 Flashcards

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3120165555Declaration of Independence-On July 4, 1776, it formally declares a revolutionary war of independence from England.0
3121751919American Revolutionary War-From 1775-1783 -8 years of war with Great Britain for Independence. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/american-revolution-history video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCj1xALT9aw1
3121772760Britain's Strengths (+)-Strongest Army and Navy in the world at the time. -Experienced and well trained troops. -As the wealthiest nation in the world, Britain could buy what it needed. -Ships could bring troops and supplies from place to place.2
3121800160Britain's Weaknesses (-)-The distance was 3,000 miles from America. -It took 2 weeks by ship to get to America -Commanders got orders from Britain which took a long time and were often out of date. -Fighting in America was difficult because it was 600 miles wide and 1,000 miles long. -The British did not have enough troops, so they had to hire 30, 000 Hessians (Germans) to fight for them, who did not always speak English.3
3121833899American Colonists Strengths (+)-Strong Leaders, such as General George Washington. -Courageous fighters with experience fighting against French and Indians. -They knew the land and how to survive in the woods. -They believed in their cause.4
3121841208American Colonists Weaknesses (-)-Not everybody wanted independence; about 1/3 of the people were against the war. -Congress had little power over 13 colonies, it could not tax them. -Therefore, they did not have enough money, weapons, food, clothing, ammunition, ships, etc. -The Continental Army was small, and relied on volunteers who did not get paid to fight. They often refused to fight for more than a year, and went home. -They were not well disciplined, and would not always follow orders they didn't agree with. -The US had a very small Navy.5
3121863136HessiansGerman troops who fought in the Revolutionary war on the side of Great Britain; Hessian troops were almost all paid mercenaries.6
3121864343PatriotsAmerican colonists who were determined to fight the British until American independence was won7
3121865728LoyalistsAlso known as Tories, the term refers to those Americans who remained loyal to Great Britain during the Revolution.8
3121923227RedcoatsBritish soldiers who fought against the colonists in the American Revolution; so called because of their bright red uniforms.9
3122007143General George Washington-Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. Brilliantly led America to victory and freedom in the American Revolution. Became 1st US president. http://www.biography.com/people/george-washington-9524786#winning-independence10
3122008656John HancockPatriot leader and president of the Second Continental Congress; first person to sign the Declaration of Independence.11
3122008657Samuel AdamsAmerican Revolutionary leader and patriot, Founder of the Sons of Liberty and one of the most vocal patriots for independence; signed the Declaration of Independence12
3122009553Thomas JeffersonHe was a delegate from Virginia at the Second Continental Congress and wrote the Declaration of Independence. He later served as the third President of the United States.13
3122013053Benjamin FranklinAmerican patriot, writer, printer, and inventor. During the Revolutionary War he persuaded the French to help the colonists.14
3122013054Patrick Henry"I know not what courses others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death" From a speech to the Virginia House of Delegates to convince them to support the fight for independence.15
3122017788Benedict ArnoldAmerican General who was labeled a traitor, but at first was a key leader who led victories early in the war. http://www.biography.com/people/benedict-arnold-918932016
3122017789John Paul Jones"I have not yet begun to fight" Patriot naval leader who commanded the American ship "Bonhomme Richard", which defeated the British ship "Sarapis" in 177917
3122056620Abigail AdamsJohn Adam's wife, she appealed to her husband to protect the rights of women18
3122056621Nathan Halea soldier of the American Revolution who was hanged as a spy by the British, famous quote:, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country"19
3122060217Marquis de LafayetteFrench soldier who joined General Washington's staff and became a general in the Continental Army.20
3122063563Molly PitcherHeroine of the American Revolution who carried water to soldiers and took over her husband's gun when he was wounded.21
3122066293Sybil LudingtonA young American patriot was like a female Paul Revere. At the age of 16, she rode to warn of the British approach.22
3122067182Salem PoorA free black man who was honored for his bravery during the Revolution23
3122070742Deborah Sampsonwas a woman who disguised herself as a man in order to serve in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War24
3122073726General William HoweHe took command of British troops in North America after the Battle of Bunker Hill. He captured New York and Philadelphia, but botched the plan to isolate the New England colonies in 1777. He resigned in 1778.25
3122075401General John BurgoyneBritish General who surrendered at Saratoga26
3122078423Baron Von StuebenPrussian officer who trained Washington's army at Valley Forge.27
3122080102AllianceAn agreement between nations to work together for common interests28
3122081284Bunker Hill-June 17, 1775. -Also known as Breed's Hill. -British victory outside of Boston, but with heavy losses 1,054 troops killed or wounded. -Colonists ran out of ammunition but fought bravely. -The British left Boston after heavy losses. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-bunker-hill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHkQCfu2cwc http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/british-account-of-bunker-hill/29
3122082678Trenton, N.J.On Christmas night, 1776, Washington led 2,400 men across the Delaware River to attack the Hessians.30
3122082679Saratoga-October 1777, American victory at battle of Saratoga, New York. -It was the turning point of the war because it showed the French that the Americans could fight the British. France officially supports America after this battle. -American General Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold defeat British General Burgoyne. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-saratoga31
3122085136PhiladelphiaA city in Pennsylvania, on the Delaware River. Established as a Quaker colony by William Penn and others in 1681, it was the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and the adoption of the Constitution in 1787. First capital of the U.S.32
3122086845Fort TiconderogaSituated on Lake Champlain and had many cannons and was captured by the Green Mountain Boys and Benedict Arnold. The cannons were moved to Boston where newly appointed general Washington set them upon Dorchester Heights and forced the British to retreat out of Boston.33
3122088746Valley Forge-Place where Washington's Army spent the winter of 1777-1778, 1/4th of troops died here from disease and harsh winter conditions, Baron Von Steuben comes and trains troops.34
3122088747General Henry ClintonHe replaced General William Howe as Commander-in-Chief of British forces in the American Revolution. He shifted the focus of the war to the southern colonies.35
3122090969General Charles CornwallisBritish general who fought the Patriots in the south at Yorktown and surrendered to George Washington. Surrendered on October 18, 1781.36
3122094936Yorktown-American victory in 1781 -General Washington's men and the French Army and Navy worked together to trap British General Cornwallis and defeat him. The British surrendered and negotiated for peace. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/siege-of-yorktown/videos/yorktown37
3122103655Treaty of ParisIn 1783, The British sign a peace treaty ending the Revolutionary War and the 13 Colonies become independent. -America gains independence, the Great Lakes, and territory all the way from the Atlantic ocean to the Mississippi river. Spain gets back Florida. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCDcveZ2dBQ38
3122103656General Horatio GatesPatriot general who defeated Burgoyne at Saratoga and made Burgoyne surrender his entire army; general of the Southern Campaign.39
3122116714Thomas Paine-Wrote a pamphlet called THE CRISIS, "THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." He did it to help American morale and keep up the spirit to fight for the causes they believe in.40

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