Download American Revolution During the American Revolution, the

American Revolution
During the American Revolution, the Americans and the British had many leaders who
made a difference on the battlefield and in politics.
George Washington
George Washington was in charge of the Continental Army during the
American Revolution. He led the American troops during the difficult winter at Valley
Forge. He also led troops across the Delaware River on December 25, 1776. He won
the Battle of Yorktown, the last battle of the Revolutionary War. After the United States
gained independence, Washington was elected the first president of the country.
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin was a printer, scientist, and writer. He invented bifocal glasses and the lightning rod. He wrote Poor Richard's Almanac. Franklin was also
an American political leader. He signed the Declaration of Independence. During the
Revolutionary War, he traveled to France. While he was there, he asked the French to
recognize America's independence. He also asked them to help the Americans in
fighting the war.
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was an American political leader. He wrote the
Declaration of Independence. His ideas about democracy played an important role in
the creation of the U.S. government. He was the governor of Virginia during the final
years of the Revolution. Jefferson later became the third president of the United States.
Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry was member of House of Burgesses in Virginia. He was
a strong supporter of colonial independence. He is known for giving a speech on March
23, 1775, in which he said, "Give me liberty or give me death!"
John Adams
John Adams was a lawyer who defended the soldiers who had been
involved in the Boston Massacre. He was one of the signers of the Declaration of
Independence. He helped write the Treaty of Paris, which ended the American
Revolution. Later, Adams served as George Washington's vice president and became
the second president of the United States in 1797.
Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine was the writer who published Common Sense. In his
writing, he said the colonists should fight to be free of British rule. This idea is known as
independence.
Samuel Adams
Samuel Adams of Boston was an American patriot who spoke out
against British policies before the American Revolution. He protested against the Stamp
Act and played an important role in the Boston Tea Party in 1773. He later served as
governor of Massachusetts. He was the cousin of John Adams.
Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold was a general who led the Americans to victory in the
Battle of Saratoga. Arnold later betrayed the United States. He was put in command of
the fort at West Point, and he planned to give it to the British. He was caught before this
occurred.
Marquis de Lafayette
The Marquis de Lafayette was a French general. He left France to
help the colonists during the American Revolution. He led soldiers alongside George
Washington, and he played a large part in the Battle of Yorktown.
George III
George III was the king of England when the colonies were still under
British rule. The Stamp Act, the Townshend Acts, and the Intolerable Acts were all
passed while he was king. George did not want to lose the American colonies. After the
British lost the American Revolutionary War, George III recognized American
independence.
Lord North
Lord North was the prime minister of Great Britain. He made tough
colonial laws and taxes like the Intolerable Acts. These acts only made the colonists
angry and united them against the British.
Lord Cornwallis
Charles Cornwallis was a British general during the Revolutionary
War. Though Cornwallis led his soldiers to some victories, he was forced to surrender to
George Washington after the Battle of Yorktown.