American Revolution Study List Flashcards
Patriot
American colonists who opposed British rule
Continental Army
The official army of colonies, created by second continental congress and led by George Washington
Second Continental Congress
The organized the continental Army, called on the colonies to send troops, selected George Washington to lead the army, and appointed the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence
George Washington
A delegate to Congress; he became commander-in-chief of the continental army during the American Revolution.
Battle of Saratoga
This decisive colonial victory forced British General Burgoyne and 5,000 of his troops surrender, convincing the French to support the American Revolutionary War effort.
Battle of Trenton
The battle in which Washington crossed Delaware River, and took the Hessians by surprised, and achieved a total victory for the Continental army. The victory secured badly needed food, clothing, and weapons and convinced many continental soldiers to reenlist.
Hessians
Germans who were paid professionally to fight and help the British in the American Revolution.
Battle of Long Island
George Washington and his army are badly beaten at this battle in New York. Sorely outnumbered and surrounded at Brooklyn Heights, the 9,500 troops that survived retreated under cover of fog, rain, and night across the East River to Manhattan.
Valley Forge
Place where Washington’s army spent the winter of 1777-1778, one for
Ruth of troops died here from disease and malnutrition. Von Steuben uses the break in fighting to train Washington’s troops.
Baron Von Steuben
The former Prussian officer who had volunteered to help the colonists; as a result the continental Army emerged in the spring as tougher and stronger.
Battle of Yorktown
Last major battle of the Revolutionary war. Cornwallis and his troops were trapped in the Chesapeake bay. He was sandwiched between the French navy and the American army and forced to surrender.
Treaty of Paris
The peace agreement that officially ended the revolutionary war and established Britain’s for al recognition of the U.S.
Lord Charles Cornwallis
Commander of British troops in the South, best known for his defeat at the Battle of Yorktown.
July 4, 1776
The safe the Declaration of Independence went into effect.
Thomas Jefferson
He was a delegate from Virginia at the second Continental Congress and wrote most of the Declaration of Independence.
Loyalists
American colonists who remained loyal to Britain and opposed the war for independence.
“The American Crisis”
A best-selling pamphlet written by Thomas Paine to rally support for the Revolutionary War.
Benedict Arnold
He was a patriot hero at the battles of Ticonderoga and Saratoga, but eventually he became the most famous American Traitor when he began working with the British.
Mercenary
A professional soldier hired by a foreign army.
Cornwallis
British general who surrendered at Yorktown
Olive branch Petition
British general who surrendered at Yorktown
Olive branch petition
An offer of peace sent by the second Continental Congress to King George III
Militia
A group of civilians trained tonight in emergencies
Declaration of Independence
American intellectuals, inventor, writer, and politician he helped to negotiate French support for the American Revolution.
William Howe
English General who commanded British forces in and around New York at the beginning of the Revolutionary War
Alexander Hamilton
George Washington’s personal secretary and secretary of the treasury in Washington’s cabinet
Henry Knox
Head of al, artillery during the Revolutionary War and the first secretary of war in Washington’s cabinet
Thomas Paine
American Revolution leader who supported the American colonists fight for independence with pamphlets like “common sense” and “the American Crisis”
John Burgoyne
British general defeated by American forces at the battle of Saratoga and forced to surrender in 1777
Daniel Morgan
Continental colonel of regular army and some militia. Master of guerrilla warfare. Given credit for winning the battles of Saratoga and Cowpens
Horatio Gates
American General whose troops defeated the British forces at Saratoga.
Compre de Grasse
French ally, brought French fleet to Chesapeake to blockade Cornwallis
General Rochambeau
French general who commanded French troops in the American Revolution, notably at Yorktown
Fredrick Von Steuben
Military officer from Germany who trained American soldiers during the American Revolution
King George III
King of England during the American Revolution
