The Americans
6. The American flag in the year 1776
Allies
- France - The French secretly aided the colonists because of their hatred towards the British. After the American’s victory at Saratoga, the French government signed a military alliance. They provided the colonists with warships, money, troops, and weapons.
- African Americans - Many African Americans were with the Patriots before independence was declared. The colonists fought with the help of black militiamen, both free and slave, and 15% of the Continental Army was made up of African Americans by 1779.
- Spain - Following the Continental Army’s victory at Saratoga, Spain entered the war against Great Britain. Their principal motivation for this was a desire to gain back land they had lost from Britain in America. Spain mainly provided financial as well as naval support for the colonists.
- Native Americans - Many Native Americans chose to side with the colonists such as the Oneidas and the Tuscaroras, although many also chose to aid the British. They ultimately allied with whichever force they believed could protect their homelands and hear their claims.
Key Figures
- George Washington - George Washington was proposed to be the leader of the Continental Army by John Adams in the Second Continental Congress of 1775. Washington had distinguished himself in the French and Indian war as a gentleman who had skill and experience as an officer, and Adams believed that he was the best person to unite the colonies. After the Battle of Bunker Hill, Washington took control of his new army and was met with men who were under very little restraint or discipline. He strived to create a sense of order. Washington led his army through many trials, including the Battle of New York, Trenton, the Battle of Saratoga, the Battle of Monmouth, and Yorktown. He suffered defeats and celebrated victories, but he never gave up, and he didn’t let his army give up either. In the end, the Americans had George Washington to thank for their victory over the British. He was not only an amazing commander, but he also instilled courage and determination amongst his troops. After the war ended, he would become the first president of the United States.
9. A portrait of George Washington
- Benjamin Franklin - Benjamin Franklin was part of the Second Continental Congress. He helped draft the Declaration of Independence, and he also negotiated in the Treaty of Paris. In 1776, he was sent to France by Congress to obtain the help of the French in the American Revolution. Franklin’s mission was successful, for in 1778, the French signed a military alliance and provided the Continental Army with much needed money, soldiers, and supplies.
10. A portrait of Benjamin Franklin
- Thomas Paine - Thomas Paine was a Patriot greatly in favor of independence. In 1776, he published Common Sense, a passionate pamphlet explaining how independence was the key to a better future for the colonists. He argued that Americans owed no loyalty towards Great Britain and that trade had been impaired under British authority convinced thousands of colonists that independence was the right thing for America. Paine was also responsible for writing The Crisis, a pamphlet intended to hearten George Washington’s army during trying times.
10. A portrait of Thomas Paine
- John Adams - John Adams challenged British rule in the times of the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts. He believed that the British government no longer had the colonists best interest at heart. Even though he was clear with his disapproval of the taxes that the British had put on the colonists, he chose to represent the British soldiers accused of murder in the Boston Massacre in 1770. Adams believed the everyone had the right to a fair trial, even British soldiers. At the trial, he argued that the soldiers had acted in self defense. Adams attended the First Continental Congress in 1774 as well as the Second Continental Congress in 1775. It was there that he nominated George Washington to be the commander of the Continental Army. After the American Revolution ended, he became the second president of the United States.
11. A portrait of John Adams
- Baron Friedrich von Steuben - After the Battle of Saratoga, Continental Army faced a harsh winters with very little supplies. Washington had Baron Friedrich Von Steuben put in charge of training to life the soldier’s spirits. Thanks to him, the army grew in strength and experience, and it became more organized. With his new army, Washington chased the British across New Jersey and then came out victorious in Yorktown.
12. A portrait of Baron Friedrich von Steuben
- Thomas Jefferson - Thomas Jefferson was part of the Second Continental Congress in 1775, and was tasked with drafting the Declaration of Independence at age 33. This was quite the job to undertake, but Jefferson had always been a gifted writer. He explained in a straightforward but absolute way why the colonists were choosing to separate from Great Britain. Also, he wrote of all King George’s crimes and concepts on which the Americans should base a new government.
13. A portrait of Thomas Jefferson