People of the American People of the American RevolutionRevolution

George WashingtonGeorge Washington

Commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

Great leader and had the ability to rally troops and unify a military that had sub par supplies, poor equipment, and little training.

Credited for the American victory of Britain

Benedict ArnoldBenedict Arnold

Military hero for both sides in the same war

He began his career as an American Patriot in May 1775, when he and Ethan Allen led the brigade that captured Fort Ticonderoga

Led an attack on Quebec and an assault at Saratoga

The whole time he was sending military intelligence to his British contact, Major John Andre. Andre was caught with incriminating documents in Arnold's handwriting, including routes of access to American forts.

John Paul JonesJohn Paul Jones

Born in Scotland and fled to America

Defeated the British Serapis which inspired Americans

“I have not yet begun to fight!”

Considered “Father of the U.S. Navy”

Marquis de LafayetteMarquis de Lafayette

French nobleman

Wanted a military career and believed in American cause

Major General in the Continental Army-Highest French rank

Helped secure French support for the patriots and was able to obtain French troops and supplies

Baron von SteubenBaron von Steuben

German officer Asked by Washington to train army

into a skilled fighting force Drilled American soldiers at Valley

Forge and turned them into skilled fighters

Many of his tactics and military training are still practiced and are the basis for the U.S. military today

James ArmisteadJames Armistead

• African American slave who pretended to be a runaway

• Worked as a “double agent spy” for George Washington

• He relayed information to the Patriot Commanders that aided them in a victory at Yorktown

Haym SalomonHaym Salomon

Polish born Jewish immigrant Member of the Sons of Liberty Convinced many Hessians to desert the British military Arrested as a spy by the British but escaped before being

hanged Became a financial broker and helped finance the U.S.

Continental Congress using his own money

Bernardo de GalvezBernardo de Galvez

Descendant of Spanish nobility and became Governor of Louisiana Territory

Due to “bad blood” between Spain and Britain, he sided with the Americans during the war

Instrumental in buying Spanish weapons, gunpowder, clothing and many other vital supplies that were essential to the colonial army

Galveston, Texas is named in his honor

British GeneralsBritish Generals

Gen. William Howe-Led the British troops in attacked Breed's Hill. He won many battles for the British but made strategic mistakes.

Gen. Henry Clinton-In 1775, second-in-command to General Howe and a savvy military strategist. In 1778, he succeeded Howe as supreme British commander in America. Throughout his generalship, he remained dissatisfied with denied requests for supplies from Britain, and tried to resign twice. He failed to reinforce Cornwallis at Yorktown, where the Americans won the decisive victory that ended the war.

Gen. John Burgoyne-British Major General; his bold plan of invading the American colonies from Canada ended in his surrender at Saratoga, N. Y.

Lord Charles Cornwallis- In 1778, he became second in command of the British forces. Two years later he led the fateful Carolina campaign, which directly led to Yorktown, the major British defeat, that ended the fighting.

Howe

Clinton

Burgoyne

Cornwallis

Women of the RevolutionWomen of the Revolution

Abigail Adams-Wrote letters to her husband, John Adams, that help historians understand the Revolutionary era. She wanted women to obtain equal status with men when forming the new government. Also known to have advocated for public education for girls.

Mercy Otis Warren-Writer who authored plays, poems and essays supported the idea of independence. Her writings convinced many in Massachusetts to become Patriots.

Phillis Wheatley-African American slave who became an esteemed poet and wrote many poems to George Washington expressing her support.