Key Players in American Revolution

Key Players in American RevolutionBy T. Harris

8th Grade Social Studies

Today, I will learn who the key players are in the American Revolution.

My job is to identify how these men influenced the outcome of the American Revolution.

SIOP

Make six tabs to take notes about the key players in the American R

Create a foldable

General George Washington Nathanael Greene Samuel Poor John Paul Jones John Adams Haym Salomon

Key Players

George Washington

His greatest strokes as a commander were the surprise attacks on the garrisons at Trenton (December 26, 1776) and Princeton (January 3, 1777).

These victories restored patriot morale in one of the war’s darkest periods.

He gained Virginia’s support

Nathanael Greene

Greene fought at Fort Washington, Trenton, Brandywine, and Germantown, gaining the trust of General George Washington.

Nathanael Greene

In March 1778, Greene was appointed Quartermaster General of the Continental Army because he was good at gathering and conserving military supplies.

Quartermaster General

In a series of battles (Guilford Courthouse) and marches, Greene wore down the British army and paved the way for the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.

He emerged from the war with a military reputation second only to Washington's.

Guilford Courthouse

Salem Poor

In the Massachusetts State Archives is a petition to the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, stating that in the "late Battle at Charlestown," a man from Colonel Frye's Regiment "behaved like and experienced officer" and that in this man "centers a brave and gallant soldier."

Bravery recognized

John Paul Jones

After war broke out in 1775, Jones volunteered for service in the brand-new Continental Navy.

Jones soon captured 16 British vessels on a single cruise.

Greatness

His tomb has become a shrine to this founding father of the United States Navy.

Memorial

John Adams

In 1761, John Adams began to write and act against British measures that he believed infringed on colonial liberties and the right of Massachusetts and the other colonies to self-government.

Loyal to the cause

Although he never wavered in his devotion to colonial rights and committed himself to independence as an unwelcome last resort, Adams's innate conservatism and sense of justice led him to an interesting choice in 1770.

The Lawyer

Adams and another prominent lawyer, Josiah Quincy, defended British soldiers who had fired on and killed several members of an unruly mob in Boston.

Radicals branded the incident "the Boston Massacre," but Adams believed the soldiers deserved a fair hearing.

Innocent til proven guilty

A delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses, Adams led in the movement for independence.

He served on the committee charged with preparing the Declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson, who called him "the pillar of its support on the floor of Congress."

Delegate

Haym Salomon

When the war began, Salomon was operating as a financial broker in New York City.

He seems to have been drawn early to the Patriot side and was arrested by the British as a spy in 1776.

He was pardoned and used by the British as an interpreter with their German troops.

War finance

Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, appeared in January 1776, when most Americans were hoping for a reconciliation with Britain. Common Sense argued in clear and forceful language that the time had come for the colonists to declare their independence

“Common Sense”

Which of these men went on to become presidents?

What influence did events in NC have on the shaping of America history?

How were African Americans able to contribute to the success of the Patriots in the American Revolution?

Feedback:

Work on History Day project◦ www.nchistoryday.org

Do current events nightly.Study your notes for quiz and test!

Sources:www.nps.gov/revwar/about_the_revolution

Homework: