Glossary of People and Terms

French and Indian War (1754 - 1763). Last of 4 North American wars between the British and the French over dominance of the new World. Originated in the breakdown of the three-way balance of power between the Iroquois Confederacy, the French and the British.

Sugar Act - (1764). Parliament passed this Act t o increase duties on non-British goods shipped to the colonies.

Currency Act - (1764). Prohibited American colonist from issuing their own currency.

Quartering Act - (1765). Required the colonies to provide barracks and supplies to British troops.

Stamp Act - (1765). Parliament passed these acts which initiated taxes on glass, lead, paint, paper and tea.

Boston Massacre - March 5, 1770. A group of British soldiers, being taunted by colonist, opened fire on the crowd of Americans. Three Americans were killed and two wounded.

Boston Tea Party - December 16, 1773. When British tea ships arrived in Boston Harbor, may citizens wanted the tea sent back to England without the payment of any taxes. The royal governor insisted on payment of all taxes. A group of men, disguised as Indians, boarded the ship and dumped all of the tea into the harbor.

Treaty of Alliance and Commerce - (1787). Negotiated by Ben Franklin, alliance formed between America and France stating that both countries would assist one and other should one be at war with Great Britain.

Battle of Monmouth - (1787). Here, General Charles Lee gave several confused orders and then ordered a sudden retreat. Washington and his troops arrived and forced the British to escape to New York.


Articles of Confederation Written in 1776 and ratified in 1781, this was a formal plan of union among the states.


Treaty of Peace - Held in Paris, September 3, 1783. Americans were represented by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Jon Jay. The terms called for Great Britain to recognize American independence, remove British troops from America and to give America its territory between the Mississippi River and the Allegheny Mountains.

Patrick Henry (1736 - 1799). A member of the colonial legislature of Virginia, the House of Burgess. Henry was a noted orator and statesman. In 1775 Henry said, "I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

Paul Revere (1735 - 1818). American silversmith who served as a courier for the revolutionary cause. Revere's ride from Boston to Concord was exaggerated by Longfellow's balled "Paul Revere's Ride." Revere was detained by British scouts and another member of his party actually warned the Americans.

John Adams (1735 - 1826). One of the first colonist to propose American independence. Adams was involved in drafting the Declaration of Independence, persuading the second Continental Congress to adopt the declaration and he helped negotiate the Peace Treat in Paris.

William Dawes Warned the colonial militia of the British advance in Concord.

George Washington (1789 - 1797). Created the Continental Army which fought and won the American Revolution (1775-1783). He led the final defeat of the British at Yorktown, Virginia.

Benedict Arnold (1741 - 1801). American military leader who distinguished himself during the first part of the American revolution. Arnold later betrayed the American cause.

Thomas Paine (1737 - 1809). Wrote "Common Sense", a pamphlet which asserted that Great Britain exploited the American Colonies and contributed nothing to the well-being of America. Pain also wrote a series of pamphlets, "The American Crisis', during the years 1776-1783.

Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826). Author of the Declaration of Independence and the foremost spokesman for democracy of his day.

Samuel Adams (1722 - 1803). An American patriot who led the Boston Tea Party.

Continental Congress. The revolutionary government made up of delegates from the most American colonies which direct the war for independence. First Continental Congress convened in Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia on September 5, 1774.

Battle of Lexington and Concord. British troops planned to destroy American ammunition at Concord. When the Boston committee of safety learned of this plan, is sent Paul Revere and William Dawes to alert the countryside and gather the Minute Men. On April 19, Minute Men and British troops met at Lexington, where a shot from a stray British gun lead to more British firing. The American only fired a few shots and several Americans were killed. The British marched on to Concord and destroyed some ammunition, but soon found the countryside swarming militia. At the end of the day, many were dead on both sides.

Battle of Bunker Hill. On June 12, British General Gage put martial law in effect, and stated that any person helping the Americans would be considered a traitor and rebel. When American began to fortify a hill against British forces, British ships in the harbor discovered the activity and opened fire. British troops, 2,400 in number, arrived shortly after. Although the Americans, 1,000 in number, resisted several attacks, eventually they lost the fortification.

Declaration of Independence. Document proclaiming the independence of the 13 colonies in America. It was adopted on July 4, 1776 by the Continental Congress.

Battle of Long Island. After leaving Boston, British General Howe planned to use New York as a base. The British captured Staten Island and began a military build-up on Long Island in preparation for an advance on Brooklyn. Washington succeeded in saving his army by secretly retreating onto Manhattan Island. Washington eventually retreated from Manhattan, fearing the prospect of being trapped on the island, and the British occupied New York City.

Battle of White Plains (1776). American and British force fought at White Pains, New York. Commander George Washington retreated, leaving an important fortification in British hands.

Crossing of the Delaware (1776). Washington led his army in retreat across New Jersey and crossing the Delaware River into Pennsylvania.

Battle of Trenton. On December 36, 1776, George Washington launched a surprise attack against a British fortification at Trenton, New Jersey. The British were defeated.

Battle of Princeton (1777). Washington launched another surprise attack and defeated the British at Princeton, New Jersey.

Battle of Brandywine. On September 11, 1777 near Chadds Fort, Pennsylvania, British General Sire William Howe and his 18,000 men battled George Washington and his 11,000 troops. British General Cornwallis led a surprise attack on the American right which forced an American retreat to Chester, Pennsylvania. The British then occupied Philadelphia.

Battle of Germantown. Fought October 4, 1777 between Washington and Hessian troops under Sir William Howe. American were again defeated.

Valley Forge Encampment (December 19, 1777 - June 19, 1778). After the Battles of Germantown and Brandywine, Washington and his troops spent the winter of 1777 camped at Valley Forge. Washington choose Valley Forge because is was defensible and strategically located to protect Congress.