Slide 1

People of the American Revolution

Abigail AdamsThe wife of John AdamsWhen her husband was working on the Declaration of Independence she reminded him to remember the ladies

John AdamsLawyerPoliticianDefended British soldiers after the Boston MassacreMember of the Continental Congress (represented Massachusetts)Supporter of independence

Wentworth CheswellAfrican American PatriotDid an all-night ride (like Paul Revere) from Boston to warn people of the British invasionIn the ArmyFought at the Battle of Saratoga

Samuel AdamsPlayed a role in many events of the American Revolution, including:Organized opposition to the Stamp ActProtests waged by the Sons of LibertyBoston Massacre

Mercy Otis WarrenWife of a Massachusetts PatriotWrote anonymous propaganda supporting the Patriots

James ArmisteadVirginia slaveRecruited by the Marquis de Lafayette to spy on the Continental ArmyPosed as a double agent, forger, and servant at British headquartersGathered vital information on British troops that contributed to the American victory at Yorktown

Benjamin FranklinMember of the committee that wrote the Declaration of IndependenceAmerican envoy in France (1776-1785)Negotiated alliance with France and the Treaty of Paris that ended the war

Bernardo de GlvezSpanish noblemanGovernor of Spanish province of Louisiana Protected American ships in the port of New OrleansTransported war suppliesTook up arms and fought to protect Louisiana

Crispus AttucksBlack manFirst casualty of the American Revolution when he was shot and killed at the Boston Massacre

King George IIIThought the loss of one group of colonies would lead to the loss of othersMaintained an aggressive policy against colonial resistanceStruggled to enforce royal authority during his reign

Haym SalomonPolish-born Jewish immigrant to AmericaHelped finance the American RevolutionBritish arrested him as a spyUsed by the British as an interpreter with German troopsHelped British prisoners escapeEncouraged German soldiers to desert the British armyBroker to the French consulPaymaster to French troops in America

Patrick HenryMember of the Virginia House of BurgessesSpoke against the Stamp ActFamous quote, Give me liberty or give me deathServed in the Continental Army during the American Revolution

XThomas JeffersonA leader in the American RevolutionDelegate to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1776Member of the committee that wrote the Declaration of IndependenceChief writer of the Declaration of Independence

The Marquis de LafayetteFrench aristocrat who played a leading role in revolutions in France and in the American RevolutionRespected the concepts of liberty, freedom, and constitutional governmentFought in the American Revolution between 1776 & 1779Major General in the Colonial army

Thomas PainePropagandist and journalistWrote pamphlet Common Sense to persuade Americans to join the Patriot cause

George WashingtonResident of VirginiaSurveyor and planterSoldier in the French and Indian WarDelegate to the 1st and 2nd Continental CongressesCommander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American RevolutionChairman of the Constitutional Convention in 1787