Significant Individuals of the RevolutionSignificant Individuals of the Revolution

King George IIIKing George III

King of England (Great Britain) during the American Revolution

Tightened control over the American Colonies and they resisted (Salutary Neglect)

Seen by colonists as a tyrant: a ruler who exercises absolute power oppressively or brutally

King of England (Great Britain) during the American Revolution

Tightened control over the American Colonies and they resisted (Salutary Neglect)

Seen by colonists as a tyrant: a ruler who exercises absolute power oppressively or brutally

Patrick HenryPatrick Henry

Fiery patriot and member of the Virginia House of Burgesses

Best known for his moving speech in front of the House of Burgesses, in which he ended with the phrase: “Give me liberty or give me death!”

Fiery patriot and member of the Virginia House of Burgesses

Best known for his moving speech in front of the House of Burgesses, in which he ended with the phrase: “Give me liberty or give me death!”

Patrick HenryPatrick Henry

“Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

~Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775Virginia House of Burgesses

“Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

~Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775Virginia House of Burgesses

Samuel AdamsSamuel AdamsAmerican Patriot and leader of the

Boston Sons of LibertyUsed propaganda against the

British – Boston MassacreOrganized many colonial

boycotts against taxed British goods

Organized Boston Tea Party

American Patriot and leader of the Boston Sons of Liberty

Used propaganda against the British – Boston Massacre

Organized many colonial boycotts against taxed British goods

Organized Boston Tea Party

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson

Politician and writer of the Declaration of Independence (1776)

Believed that people have the unalienable rights “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”

Politician and writer of the Declaration of Independence (1776)

Believed that people have the unalienable rights “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”

John AdamsJohn Adams

Remembered as the lawyer who defended the British soldiers after the Boston Massacre

He believed in reason and the law

Eventually became convinced that only outright resistance would gain liberty for America

Remembered as the lawyer who defended the British soldiers after the Boston Massacre

He believed in reason and the law

Eventually became convinced that only outright resistance would gain liberty for America

Benjamin FranklinBenjamin FranklinWorld renowned

scientist/inventorAssisted in writing the

Declaration of Independence

Served as the American Diplomat to France during the French and Indian War

Helped negotiate Treaty of Paris, 1763

Proposed the Albany Plan of UnionSlogan – Join or Die

World renowned scientist/inventor

Assisted in writing the Declaration of Independence

Served as the American Diplomat to France during the French and Indian War

Helped negotiate Treaty of Paris, 1763

Proposed the Albany Plan of UnionSlogan – Join or Die

Thomas PaineThomas Paine

Propagandist and journalist In January 1776, he

published his 47 page pamphlet Common Sense.In it, he urged the colonists

that only a complete break from England was the answer to all their problems

He continued to publish several pamphlets during the war, including The Crisis, encouraging the Americans to fight.

Propagandist and journalist In January 1776, he

published his 47 page pamphlet Common Sense.In it, he urged the colonists

that only a complete break from England was the answer to all their problems

He continued to publish several pamphlets during the war, including The Crisis, encouraging the Americans to fight.

Common SenseCommon Sense

In this booklet Paine asserted that kings, in general, are bad and that America must be free to make its own way in the world (free enterprise).

Paine, through his book, helped to convince many Americans that independence from Great Britain was necessary.

In this booklet Paine asserted that kings, in general, are bad and that America must be free to make its own way in the world (free enterprise).

Paine, through his book, helped to convince many Americans that independence from Great Britain was necessary.

George WashingtonGeorge Washington One of the most significant

figures during the American Revolution

Resident of Virginia, he was surveyor, a planter,

Soldier in the French and Indian War

Chosen as the General (commander-in-chief), or to lead, the Continental Army during the war (Name given to the army in the colonies)

Delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses

Chairman of the Constitutional Convention in 1787

One of the most significant figures during the American Revolution

Resident of Virginia, he was surveyor, a planter,

Soldier in the French and Indian War

Chosen as the General (commander-in-chief), or to lead, the Continental Army during the war (Name given to the army in the colonies)

Delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses

Chairman of the Constitutional Convention in 1787

Marquis de LafayetteMarquis de Lafayette

French aristocrat and military officer

When he heard of the Americans struggle for independence, he chose to travel to America and volunteer his services as a military officer

He became a Major General in the Army as he and George Washington became very close friends

He helped strengthen ties between America and France

French aristocrat and military officer

When he heard of the Americans struggle for independence, he chose to travel to America and volunteer his services as a military officer

He became a Major General in the Army as he and George Washington became very close friends

He helped strengthen ties between America and France

James ArmisteadJames Armistead

Born a slave in Virginia in 1748.

He served as a spy during the American Revolution.

He pretended to be a runaway slave and was taken into camp by the British.

It was due in part to his information that allowed Washington and Lafayette to prevent British reinforcements at Yorktown and win the war.

Born a slave in Virginia in 1748.

He served as a spy during the American Revolution.

He pretended to be a runaway slave and was taken into camp by the British.

It was due in part to his information that allowed Washington and Lafayette to prevent British reinforcements at Yorktown and win the war.

Abigail AdamsAbigail Adams

Wife of John Adams, served as his confidant and support while he served in the Continental Congress.

When John and others were considering a declaration of independence, Abigail reminded him to take care of the women, who would not hold themselves bound by laws in which they had no voice (“Remember the ladies”)

Wife of John Adams, served as his confidant and support while he served in the Continental Congress.

When John and others were considering a declaration of independence, Abigail reminded him to take care of the women, who would not hold themselves bound by laws in which they had no voice (“Remember the ladies”)

Wentworth CheswellWentworth Cheswell

African American Patriot; like Paul

Revere he made an all night ride back from Boston to warn his community of the impending British invasion

• Served in the army and fought at

the Battle of Saratoga

African American Patriot; like Paul

Revere he made an all night ride back from Boston to warn his community of the impending British invasion

• Served in the army and fought at

the Battle of Saratoga

Mercy Otis WarrenMercy Otis Warren

Wife of a Massachusetts Patriot

Anonymously wrote sev

eral propaganda pieces supporting the Patriot cause; used notes from meetings and conversations to write the first history of the American Revolutionary War

Wife of a Massachusetts Patriot

Anonymously wrote sev

eral propaganda pieces supporting the Patriot cause; used notes from meetings and conversations to write the first history of the American Revolutionary War

Bernardo de GálvezBernardo de Gálvez

Spanish nobleman who became governor of the province of Louisiana (January,1777)

Protected American ships in the port of New Orleans, helped transport war supplies, and took up arms to fight to protect Louisiana

Spanish nobleman who became governor of the province of Louisiana (January,1777)

Protected American ships in the port of New Orleans, helped transport war supplies, and took up arms to fight to protect Louisiana

Crispus AttucksCrispus Attucks

An African American Man

The first casualty of the American

Revolution when he was shot and killed in what became known as the Boston Massacre

An African American Man

The first casualty of the American

Revolution when he was shot and killed in what became known as the Boston Massacre

Haym Salomon Haym Salomon

A Polish born Jewish immigrant to America who played an important role in financing the Revolution

Arrested by the British as a spy

Used by the British as an interpreter with their German troops

Helped British prisoners escape and encouraged German soldiers to desert the British army

Became a broker to the French consul and paymaster to French troops in America

A Polish born Jewish immigrant to America who played an important role in financing the Revolution

Arrested by the British as a spy

Used by the British as an interpreter with their German troops

Helped British prisoners escape and encouraged German soldiers to desert the British army

Became a broker to the French consul and paymaster to French troops in America

John Paul Jones John Paul Jones

Founder of U.S. Navy and led raids on British vessels during the American Revolution

Founder of U.S. Navy and led raids on British vessels during the American Revolution

Esther De Berdt Reed Esther De Berdt Reed

Responsible for organizing a fundraising effort for the Revolutionary Army that netted more than $300,000 dollars.

Reed used the money to buy linen, and proceeded along with her group to sew over 2,200 shirts for the soldiers.

Reed also published “The Sentiments of An American Women” calling for women to support the revolution.

Responsible for organizing a fundraising effort for the Revolutionary Army that netted more than $300,000 dollars.

Reed used the money to buy linen, and proceeded along with her group to sew over 2,200 shirts for the soldiers.

Reed also published “The Sentiments of An American Women” calling for women to support the revolution.

Deborah Sampson Deborah Sampson

Fought alongside men in the Revolutionary army.

Disguised as a man, Sampson fought for eighteen months during the war

Fought alongside men in the Revolutionary army.

Disguised as a man, Sampson fought for eighteen months during the war

Molly LudwigMolly Ludwig

Contributed to the war by bringing provisions to soldiers on the field as well as taking over a cannon during the Battle of Monmouth after her husband fell.

Her acts earned her, and other women who similarly helped, the nickname “Molly Pitcher”

Contributed to the war by bringing provisions to soldiers on the field as well as taking over a cannon during the Battle of Monmouth after her husband fell.

Her acts earned her, and other women who similarly helped, the nickname “Molly Pitcher”

Other Officers’ Wives Other Officers’ Wives

Spent time in military camps ministering to the soldiers, by sewing, cooking, and nursing the wounded

Spent time in military camps ministering to the soldiers, by sewing, cooking, and nursing the wounded

Martha Washington

Catharine Littlefield Greene