Lexington and Concord, 1775

1. Lexington and Concord, 1775 • First official battles of the American Revolution • Nicknamed “The Shot Heard Around the World” • Battle fought by militia and/or minutemen

2. Battle of Saratoga, 1777 • Turning point of the American Revolution; first major American victory. • Led to an alliance with France in 1778 • First major American victory of the war

3. Winter at Valley Forge, 1777-1778 • 25% of the American soldiers died from malnutrition, exposure to the cold, and diseases such as smallpox. • Leadership of George Washington prevented many desperate soldiers from deserting the American army. • American soldiers lacked clothing, boots, shelter, and food.

4. Battle of Yorktown, 1781 • Last major battle of the American Revolution • British General Cornwallis surrenders • French navy blockaded British forces at Chesapeake Bay preventing them from receiving supplies or escaping American attacks

5. Leaders of the American Revolution • Our “Founding Fathers”, played an important role in creating the United States of America. • Whether it was protesting British laws, drafting inspirational political documents, or fighting on the battlefield; the influence of these men can still be felt in today’s society. • Let’s list the accomplishments of our Revolutionary leaders on page 14.

6. Thomas Jefferson • Primary author of the Declaration of Independence • Served as a delegate of the First and Second Continental Congresses • Served as governor of Virginia during the revolution

7. Samuel Adams • Leader of the Sons of Liberty • Organized boycotts and riots protesting British taxation of the colonists

8. Thomas Paine • Author of Common Sense • Wrote a series of pamphlets urging the colonists to separate from England and fight for independence

9. George Washington • Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army • Elected president of the Constitutional Convention in 1787 • Elected as the first president of the United States

10. Benjamin Franklin • Negotiated the Treaty of Alliance with France in 1778 • Served on a committee of five chosen to draft the Declaration of Independence • Served as a delegate at the Second Continental Congress

11. John and Abigail Adams • John represented British soldiers accused of murder during the Boston Massacre • John was a co-author of the Declaration of Independence • Abigail encouraged John to “remember the ladies” when drafting the Constitution

12. Haym Solomon • Joined the New York Sons of Liberty in 1776 • Encouraged Hessian mercenaries to desert the war effort • Helped convert French loans into cash to help finance the revolution

13. Bernardo de Galvez • Spanish governor of Louisiana who fought with rebels against England • Smuggled goods to Americans after British blockade during the war • City of Galveston named in his honor

14. James Armistead • Joined Continental Army under Marquis de Lafayette in 1781 • Posing as a runaway slave, he served as a spy and supplied information to help defeat British at Yorktown • Granted his freedom by Virginia assembly in 1787

15. Patrick Henry • Virginian patriot that led the opposition to the Stamp Act of 1765 • Gave the "Give me Liberty, or give me Death!" speech at the House of Burgesses • Anti-Federalist who wanted a Bill of Rights added to the Constitution