Part 1: People Flashcards
Samuel Adams
Born in 1722, Samuel Adams was the second cousin of John Adams and was from Massachusetts. He helped to inspire the revolution with his speaking and was one of signing of the Declaration of Independence and for serving in Congress. He died in 1803.
Abigail Adams
Abigail Adams, the wife of the famous revolutionary leader and President, potential it held for improving women’s rights.
Gilbert du Motier & Marquis de Lafayette
Gilbert du Motier & Marquis de Lafayette was a wealthy young nobleman. He is most famous for becoming a general in the colonial army at the age of nineteen. He gained his prestigious position in part because of his family’s wealth and political power, but he was also a very useful asset to the American Revolution. He gave $200,000 to the military funds. After the American Revolution, he returned to France, where he would aid in the French Revolution.
Paul Revere
Paul Revere was a silversmith and a horseman. He is most famous for his cry of “The British are coming!” on April 1775, just as 700 British redcoats were sent secretly to Lexington & Concord to seize gunpowder and arrest Sam Adams & John Hancock.
Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine was the author of Common Sense, one of the most influential pamphlets ever written. He was a corset-maker’s apprentice prior to writing the book. He believed that it was only logical that America should be independent because it was so much larger than Britain. He spoke in favor of a republican form of government and believed that the colonies should reject monarchy and the empire in favor of an independent republic, which was a somewhat radical view for the time.
Richard Henry Lee
Richard Henry Lee was a member of the Philadelphia Congress. He is most famous for his statement that “these United Colonies are, and of right out to be, free and independent states.” The parliament debated this resolution for a long time, but soon a formal declaration of independence was written.
John Paul Jones
John Paul Jones was a young Scotsman who fought bravely in the American Navy. He is regarded as the “Father of the American Navy.” He is the most famous of the early officers of the US Navy.
George Rogers Clark
George Rogers Clark was a frontiersman who decided to seize forts by surprise. In 1778 he floated down the Ohio River with his men and quickly captured Cahokia, Vincennes, and Kaskaskia. Many believe that his victories forced the British to cede the region north of the Ohio River to America.
Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards was a very tall, very smart pastor from Northampton Massachusetts. He taught that it was foolish to believe in salvation through good works and that it is vitally important to depend on God’s grace to save us instead. He spoke passionately about the horrors of Hell and believed that the unbaptized went there after death. Edwards used strong reasoning in his bold sermons, which inspired many other preachers. He is probably the most famous for his sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” and for his bold and logical style of teaching.
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin was one of the first reputable scientists of America. He tried many experiments that he is now quite famous for, including flying a kite with a conductor. The kite was struck by lightning to show that lightning was a form of electricity. Franklin also wrote many books that he is also famous for such as his autobiography and Poor Richard’s Almanack, which earned him the title of “the first civilized American.” His books and experiments gave him a great amount of influence on the development of the character of many Americans.
Charles W Peale
arles W. Peale is most famous for his portraits of George Washington. He lived from 1741 to 1827. In addition to his painting, Charles ran a museum, was a dentist, and stuffed birds. He developed a love for painting at a young age when he traded a saddle for art lessons from John Hesslieus.
Phillis Wheatley
Born in 1753, Phillis Wheatley was a slave girl who was brought to Boston when she was only 8 years old, and never had a proper education. She was later moved to England where she published a book of poems which were influenced b Alexander Pope. She is famous for her poetry, which is some of the best lyrical writing of the time. She died in 1784.
Samuel de Champlain
Samuel de Champlain, the “Father of France” was a brave soldier and explorer. He had a friendly policy towards the Huron Indians, to the point where he even fought on their side in battle against the Iroquois. His use of muskets against them led to a strong hatred of the French, which led them to aid the British in their efforts on the continent.
Robert La Salle
Robert La Salle is most famous for floating down the Mississippi in 1682 all the way to where it meets the Gulf of Mexico. He named Louisiana in honor of Louis XIV, the king of France. Salle returned a few years later with four ships in the hope of colonizing the area, but instead landed in Texas, where he was killed in 1687 by his men. Salle set the stage for French efforts to reach the Gulf of Mexico.
George Washington
George Washington (pre-presidency) was a Virginian surveyor who was sent to Ohio as a lieutenant colonel in 1754. He commanded 150 troops and fought against the French. He said that he found the sound of bullets flying to be charming. The French came back with more soldiers, and they surrounded Washington, who had no choice but to surrender his command. Washington’s battle with the French was the beginning of the Seven Years’ War. George Washington is most famous for being the first president of the United States. He was also an aide to General Braddock, who was killed during a clash of the French and Indian War.