People of the American Revolution

1. People of the American Revolution

2. Benjamin Franklin • Printer and writer from Philadelphia • Member of the committee which wrote the Declaration of Independence • Minister to France during the Revolution • Oldest member and Founding Father of the Constitutional Convention in 1787

3. King George III • King of Great Britain during the American Revolution

4. Thomas Jefferson • Author of the Declaration of Independence • Founder of the Anti-Federalists, a political party favoring states rights • Third President of the United States. • Purchased the Louisiana Territory from France.

5. Thomas Paine • Influential writer during the American Revolution • Common Senseattacked the monarchy, supported independence, and outlined a new form of government • Crisis supported the Revolution through propaganda

6. John Paul Jones • American naval hero • Led raids against British vessels during the American Revolution • “I have not yet begun to fight”

7. George Washington • Virginia resident, surveyor, planter, and soldier during the French and Indian War • Delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses • Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution • First President of the United States, serving two terms

8. James Armistead • A slave from Virginia who became a spy for Lafayette, relaying information about Cornwallis’ plans. • Provided Lafayette with the critical information he needed to defeat Cornwallis at Yorktown, which ended the American Revolution.

9. Marquis de Lafayette • A 19 year old French nobleman who volunteered to help secure independence for the Americans by fighting in Washington’s army. • Believed in what Americans were fighting for and was later regarded as a hero in France and the United States. • Fought in several battles and gained respect and friendship from his men.

10. Samuel Adams • Involved in local politics in Boston • Believed colonial government was capable of self-rule • Founder of the Sons of Liberty • Involved in many events that led to the Revolution, including opposition to the Stamp Act, the Boston Massacre, and the Boston Tea Party. • Supported the Constitution, with the addition of the Bill of Rights

11. Crispus Attucks • An escaped slave, became an American hero during his struggle for freedom. • The first American to lose his life in the colonists’ fight for freedom from Britain. • Killed by Redcoat gunfire during the Boston Massacre, 1770.

12. Abigail Adams • Wife of the 2nd president of the U.S., John Adams. • Recognized as being politically influential, mostly in letters written to her husband during the American Revolution. • Advocate for women’s rights.

13. John Adams • Political philosopher and 2nd President of the United States. • Federalist, and a reasonable man who believed in moderate resistance. • Leader during the Revolution & Second Continental Congress. • Held conflicts with France during his term and passed the Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798.

14. Wentworth Cheswell • A free African-American who carried news & intelligence as the town messenger in Newmarket, New Hampshire. • First black man elected to public office-school board member • Fun fact-established a library in his town

15. Mercy Ottis Warren • Expressed her feelings and ideas about the Patriotic cause through her writings, plays and poems. • Believed Britain’s laws and taxes were unfair & that Britain was too far away from them to understand the colonists’ needs and rights. • Thought colonists would be better off independent and free from Britain.

16. Bernardo de Galvez • Contributed to the independence of the U.S. from Britain. • Aided the colonists by leading the Spanish against Britain. • Re-conquered Florida for Spain. • Fun Fact: Galveston, Texas is named after him!!!

17. Haym Salomon • Polish-born, Jewish immigrant to America who helped finance the American Revolution. • Helped raise $20,000 for the Continental Army on request from General Washington. • Personally supported members of the Continental Congress, such as James Madison.

18. Patrick Henry • Governor for 5 yrs. of his home state of Virginia, he supported the American struggle for liberty. • Served in the Virginia House of Burgesses & Continental Congress • “Give me liberty, or give me death!”