the document recording the proclamation of the second Continental Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the independence of the colonies from Great Britain
Battle of Bunker Hill
First major battle of the Revolutions. It showed that the Americans could hold their own, but the British were also not easy to defeat. Ultimately, th...
Independence Day
July 4th celebration of the date Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence
independence
self-reliance and freedom from outside control
Thomas Jefferson
Author of the Declaration of Independence
Petition
a formal, written request made to an official person or organization
Haym Salomon
Polish Jew who helped finance the American Revolution. He also spied for the Americans, and was a translator for the British.
liberty
freedom of choice
Militia
A group of civilians trained to fight in emergencies
Hessians
American slang for the German mercenaries under British command
policies
guidelines used in making consistent decisions
Impose
to put in place by authority, such a law, tax, or punishment
Lord Cornwallis
British general whose campaigns in the South led to his defeat at Yorktown
Continental Army
An army made up of troops from all the colonies
Guerilla
soldiers who are not part of a regular army
Natural Rights
rights common to everyone, as opposed to those given by law
scarce
rare
Fundamental
basic
rebellion
open defiance of authority
Unalienable Rights
rights that cannot be taken away
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
Pamphlet that encouraged the Colonists to fight the British
Debated
discussed by considering opposing viewpoints
Patrick Henry
Leader who gave a speech in May 1775 that helped lead the colonies toward independence
George Washington
Commander in chief of the new Continental Army
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