Final Events Leading to The American Revolution

June, 1775  Ethan Allan captured British garrison at Fort Ticonderoga  Heavy British losses at Bunker (Breed’s Hill)  Ethan Allan captured British garrison at Fort Ticonderoga  Heavy British losses at Bunker (Breed’s Hill)

July, 1775  Olive Branch petition sent by John Adams is rejected by King George III

January 1776  “Common Sense” - a pamphlet written by Englishman, Thomas Paine - called for the immediate separation of the colonies from Great Britain -hugely successful and widely read and debated in the colonies

March 1776  Henry Knox brings cannon from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston  British evacuate the city and sail for Nova Scotia  Henry Knox brings cannon from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston  British evacuate the city and sail for Nova Scotia

June 1776  British navy defeated in the Charleston Harbor, South Carolina

July 1776  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  Declaration of Independence - written by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman  John Hancock known for large signature  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  Declaration of Independence - written by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman  John Hancock known for large signature

Thomas Jefferson  Main author of the Declaration of Independence  Minister to France  1st Secretary of State  3rd President  Democrat-Republican  Main author of the Declaration of Independence  Minister to France  1st Secretary of State  3rd President  Democrat-Republican

Benjamin Franklin  Inventor  Printer  Scientist  Statesman  Philosopher  Diplomat  Inventor  Printer  Scientist  Statesman  Philosopher  Diplomat

George Washington  Wealthy plantation owner - Mount Vernon  Fought in French & Indian War  Commander in Chief of the Continental Army  1st US president  Wealthy plantation owner - Mount Vernon  Fought in French & Indian War  Commander in Chief of the Continental Army  1st US president

John Adams  Lawyer  Signer of the Declaration of Independence  1st Vice President  2nd President  Federalist  Lawyer  Signer of the Declaration of Independence  1st Vice President  2nd President  Federalist

John Paul Jones  Scotsman  Commanded Navy  “Bonhomme Richard”  Won battle against the “Serapis”  “I have not yet begun to fight”  Scotsman  Commanded Navy  “Bonhomme Richard”  Won battle against the “Serapis”  “I have not yet begun to fight”

Alexander Hamilton  Born in the West Indies  GW’s aide during the Revolutionary War  1st Secretary of the Treasury  Supporter of the Constitution  Killed in a duel with Aaron Burr  Born in the West Indies  GW’s aide during the Revolutionary War  1st Secretary of the Treasury  Supporter of the Constitution  Killed in a duel with Aaron Burr

Benedict Arnold  Infamous name in American history  Helped capture Fort Ticonderoga  Victorious at Saratoga  Turned traitor willing to turn West Point fort to the English  Fled to Canada  Infamous name in American history  Helped capture Fort Ticonderoga  Victorious at Saratoga  Turned traitor willing to turn West Point fort to the English  Fled to Canada

Abigail Adams  Believed in equal rights for men and women  Wife of John and mother of John Quincy  “Remember the Ladies”  Believed in equal rights for men and women  Wife of John and mother of John Quincy  “Remember the Ladies”

Patrick Henry  Virginian lawyer  Member of the House of Burgesses  Fiery speaker against the king  “Give me liberty or give me death  Virginian lawyer  Member of the House of Burgesses  Fiery speaker against the king  “Give me liberty or give me death

John Hancock  British wanted to capture  Richest man in New England  Most visible signer of the Declaration of Independence  Wanted to command the Continental Army  British wanted to capture  Richest man in New England  Most visible signer of the Declaration of Independence  Wanted to command the Continental Army

Samuel Adams  Numerous business failures  Cousin of John  Conspirator behind the Boston Tea Party  Signer of the Declaration of Independence  Numerous business failures  Cousin of John  Conspirator behind the Boston Tea Party  Signer of the Declaration of Independence