Individuals under investigation - KEY

(*Individuals in the TEKS!)

*Abigail Adams: Wife of John Adams. In numerous letters to her husband over the course of
many years during their marriage, Abigail made references (remember the ladies) to her desire
for women to be more acknowledged for their important roles and to have more rights. For this
she is remembered as an early advocate for womens rights.
*John Adams: Husband of Abigail. Lawyer who formerly defended the British soldiers from the
Boston Massacre to show that the Colonists followed the rule of law and were not simply
lawless radicals. Representative from Massachusetts and the Engine of Independence at the
2nd Continental Congress. His unrelenting arguments in favor of independence convinced
many to join the cause. Also a member of the committee to write the Declaration of
Independence.
*Samuel Adams: Older cousin to John and leader of the Sons of Liberty in Boston Mass.
Strong advocate for independence and a grass-roots organizer of protests and anti-British
actions (Boston Tea Party). Also helped form Committees of Correspondence to disseminate
information through the colonies.
*James Armistead: African American who served with distinction as a spy for the Continental
Army. Praised for his valuable service. An example of the diversity of American participation in
the war effort.
Benedict Arnold: American General and much admired hero for his military skill and
particularly his victory at the battle Saratoga that proved to be the turning-point battle of the war.
Later, however, he was found to be selling military information (blue-prints of West Point) to the
British and was vilified as a traitor to the American cause.
*Wentworth Cheswell: African American supporter of the revolutionary cause as a member of
the Committee of Safety in New Hampshire. Held a prominent position in his community. An
example of the diversity of American participation in the war effort.
Charles Cornwallis: Commander of all British forces in America in 1781. Surrendered his army
at Yorktown, Va. In 1781 to George Washington and French land and naval forces, thus ending
the American Revolution.
*Benjamin Franklin: World renowned writer, inventor, Scientist, and diplomat. Very influential
at the 2nd Continental Congress as a voice of reason during heated debate. A member of the
committee to write the Declaration of Independence. Represented the Americans in France
during much of the war and through his influence, France became an official American ally
following the battle of Saratoga.

*Bernardo de Galvez: Spanish commander of Spanish forces in the Gulf of Mexico region.

Assisted the Americans by providing arms and supplies and by using his forces to repel
attempted advances by the British from the Gulf Coast area. An example of foreign assistance
to the American cause. Galveston Texas is named in his honor.
Admiral de Grasse: French navy admiral whose timely appearance off the coast of Yorktown
Virginia in 1781, prevented the British Navy from evacuating General Cornwalliss troops by sea,
thus aiding in the land siege of Yorktown by George Washington and French allied troops under
Comte de Rochambeau which resulted in Cornwalliss surrender and an end to the war.
Nathanael Greene: Continental Army Major General known for his successful command during
the Southern Campaign of 1780-81. His tactical engagements against British General
Cornwallis in North Carolina so depleted and exhausted the British that Cornwallis was forced to
retreat northward toward Virginia where he was eventually forced to surrender at Yorktown, thus
ending the war. An example of Colonial military success in the South.
Nathan Hale: Connecticut school teacher captured by the British when spying for the Colonial
army. When given the opportunity to make a final remark before his execution, he stated, I only
regret that I have but one life to lose for my country. His courageous and defiant words inspired
many.
*Patrick Henry: Representative from Virginia in the Virginia legislature who often spoke out
defiantly against the British and passionately in favor of independence. Known for his famous,
inspirational statement, Give me Liberty or Give me Death!
John Paul Jones: THE American Navy hero from the American Revolution. In a ship acquired
by ben Franklin from the French (Bon Homme Richard), Jones sought and challenged British
warships in the Atlantic. Most famous for his victorious engagement with the British warship
Serapis during which Jones responded to a British demand to surrender by saying, I have not
begun to fight!. An example of the defiant, passionate American position that inspired many.
*Marquis de Lafayette: French aristocrat and military officer who so believed in the American
cause that he lent his personal financial support, political influence in obtaining French support,
and even served as MajorGeneral in the Continental Army under George Washington. He was
wounded at Brandywine and later played an important role in helping to force the British to
surrender at Yorktown. Following the American Revolution, he was very influential in his home
country, trying to maintain order and provide leadership during the French Revolution, therefore
known as the Hero of Two Worlds.
Francis Marion: Continental Army commander of a volunteer South Carolina militia unit whose
use of Guerilla war techniques greatly hampered the British attempt to occupy South Carolina
during the British Southern campaign in 1780 and 81. Known as The Swamp Fox.
Daniel Morgan: Continental Army commander highly recognized for his tactical skills and
abilities. Most famous for his stunning victory against British Colonel Banastre Tarleton at the
Battle of Cowpens, South Carolina in 1781. This battle during the Southern Campaign proved to
be a turning point, forcing the British to abandon their efforts to hold the South and regroup
farther north, thus leading to an eventual surrender at Yorktown VA. later that year.
*Thomas Paine: Author of Common Sense, an extremely influential pamphlet in the colonies in
1776 that presented many popular arguments for American Independence. 120,000 copies sold

and persuaded many to support the independence cause. During the Revolution, Paine wrote a
series of inspirational articles under the title, The American Crisis, in which he urged the
Americans to stay the course and persevere through the times that try mens souls. General
Washington used Paines passionate message to inspire his troops during the terrible winter of
1777 at Valley Forge, PA.
Paul Revere: Sons of Liberty member in Boston, MA. Who is most well-known for his midnight
ride to warn the Lexington and Concord militias of the approaching British troops. Also the
creator of the famous engraving of the Boston Massacre which had such tremendous influence
throughout the colonies in turning public opinion against the British in 1770.
Comte de Rochambeau: French commander of a significant number of French troops in
America assisting George Washington in the siege of Yorktown VA, which lead to the surrender
of British General Cornwallis and an end to the war. An example of vital foreign assistance
(particularly from the French) during the Revolution.
*Haym Salomon: Polish immigrant who worked tirelessly to acquire and make available badlyneeded loans from France for the Continental Army during the war. Considered a hero as
Financier of the Revolution. An example of the diversity of American participation in the war
effort.
Friedrich von Steuben: Prussian Military trainer who volunteered his services to train
Washingtons troops at Valley Forge during the terrible winter of 1777-78. His invaluable
services brought much-needed training and skill to the battered American army, thus allowing
them to emerge in the spring as a much-improved army. An example of foreign assistance
during the Revolution.
*Mercy Otis Warren: Well-known woman poet/playwright who wrote letters, poems and plays
that mocked and criticized the British and supported independence in the years leading up to
the Revolution. An example of the diversity of participants in the cause for independence.
*George Washington: Assigned by the 2nd Continental Congress to command the Continental
Army during the Revolution. Using his strong leadership skills and creativity, he was able to
organized colonial militias into a fighting force capable of challenging the British army. By clever
use of spies, military strategies, and drawing out the war, Washington was able to wear down
the opponents. Then, with the aide of French allies, was able to surround British General
Cornwallis at Yorktown VA. In 1781 and force his surrender, thus ending the war.

Map & Chart KEYS (also available on PPT for ease of review)