Standard – SSUSH 4

1. Standard – SSUSH 4 The student will identify the ideological, military, and diplomatic aspects of the American Revolution. •  Explain the language, organization, and intellectual sources of the Declaration of Independence; include the writings of John Locke and the role of Thomas Jefferson. • Explain the reason for and significance of the French alliance and the foreign assistance and roles of Benjamin Franklin and the Marquis de Lafayette. • Analyze George Washington as a military leader; include the creation of a professional military and the life of a common soldier, and describe the significance of the crossing of the Delaware River and Valley Forge. • Explain the role of geography at the Battle of Yorktown, role of British General Charles Cornwallis, and the 1783 Treaty of Paris.

2. Declaration of Independence • Written by Thomas Jefferson – influenced by the ideas of John Locke • Officially separated colonies from England • Convinced France and Spain to support fight with America against England

3. John Locke • Famous English philosopher/author • “Two Treatises on Government” • His ideas of natural rights influenced Thomas Jefferson’s ideas in the Declaration of Independence

4. Benjamin Franklin • Ambassador to France • Widely popular in France • With Lafayette – convinced France to become an ally and help America fight the British for Independence • Without France we had no chance to win the American Revolution

5. Marquis de Lafayette • French volunteer – assistant and friend to George Washington • Was a liaison between France and America • Helped America get supplies and troops from France

6. Valley Forge • Worst time for the Continental Army • Over 2000 citizen-soldiers died • Washington inspired troops to hang on

7. Crossing the Delaware River • Greatest Gamble of Washington • Battle of Trenton – Loss would have meant end of American Revolution • One of many turning points in the American Revolution – lifted morale of Americans and the citizen-soldiers of the Continental Army • First victory by the Continental Army

8. George Washington • Famous for French/Indian War – Fort Necessity • Inspired troops of Continental Army to continue to fight despite hardships • First in War, First in Peace, First in the hearts of his country men

9. General Charles Cornwallis • Greatest British General – assigned to defeat the Continental Army and George Washington • His defeat at Yorktown – ended the American Revolution

10. Battle of Yorktown • French Fleet and Continental Army pinned British Army at Yorktown • Cornwallis’s surrender at Yorktown ended American Revolution • Lafayette helped coordinate French and American militaries

11. 1783 Treaty of Paris • Picture above is unfinished portraits of American delegation that negotiated the Treaty of Paris • Red Portions in map indicate the territories gained by America from the British after the American Revolution • Treaty officially recognized America as independent of Britain and doubled the size of the country