American Revolution: People and Pivotal Moments

Fort Duquesne

A French fort on the site of Pittsburgh, captured in 1758 by the British during the French and Indian War.

General Braddock

Edward Braddock, a British commander during the French and Indian War, was defeated attempting to capture Fort Duquesne in 1755 and mortally wounded.

Intolerable Acts

Laws enacted to punish Boston after the Tea Party, including closing the harbor, establishing a police state, and quartering British soldiers in citizens' homes.

Stamp Act

A law requiring all documents to have an official stamp as proof of purchase.

Thomas Paine

Author of Common Sense.

Sons of Liberty

A secret society formed to oppose British policies.

Thomas Jefferson

Founder of the Democratic-Republicans, primary author of the Declaration of Independence, and a former President.

Samuel Adams

Founder of the Sons of Liberty, a patriot, and a key figure in the independence movement. He signed the Declaration of Independence.

George W

Boston Tea Party

An act of protest in 1773 where citizens disguised as Indians dumped tea into the harbor.

Bunker Hill

A battle where the British took control of a hill in Boston.

Yorktown

The site where Cornwallis and his troops were trapped in the Chesapeake Bay by the French fleet, leading to a major American victory.

First Continental Congress

A meeting in Philadelphia in 1774 where all colonies except Georgia gathered to respond to the Intolerable Acts.

Von Steuben

A Prussian drill master and captain who volunteered to serve under George Washington.

De Lafayette

A French nobleman and soldier who aided George Washington and spent time at Valley Forge.

Quartering Act

An Act that required colonists to provide housing and supplies for British troops.

Articles of Confederation

1) America's first constitution, adopted in 1777.

2) Created a loose alliance of 13 independent states.

Daniel Shays

1) Led a rebellion of farmers in Massachusetts.

2) Highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Bank of the U.S.

Funding and Assumption

Part of Hamilton's financial plan where the federal government assumed state debts.

Whiskey Rebellion

A protest in 1791 against a tax on whiskey, part of Hamilton's financial plan during Washington's administration.