American Revolution - Important People

Overall leader and Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army; led the American colonies to victory over the British

• General George Washington

• Lord Charles Cornwallis

• King George III

• Benjamin Franklin

Overall leading General of the British troops; had many victories but lost at Yorktown and surrendered his entire army

• General George Washington

• Lord Charles Cornwallis

• King George III

• Benjamin Franklin

Passed laws against the colonies and sent troops to the colonies which started the War

• General George Washington

• Lord Charles Cornwallis

• King George III

• Benjamin Franklin

Helped write the Declaration of Independence; Convinced France to ally with the Americans; Helped write the Treaty of Paris

• General George Washington

• Lord Charles Cornwallis

• King George III

• Benjamin Franklin

General in charge of the Continental Army in the Southern colonies.  His tactics brought enabled many American victories over the British

• Nathanael Greene

• Nathan Hale

• Patrick Henry

• Thomas Jefferson

Famous American spy; captured by the British in New York City and hanged; he had famous last words

• Nathanael Greene

• Nathan Hale

• Patrick Henry

• Thomas Jefferson

One of the founding fathers from Virginia; he gave a famous passionate speech convincing many to go to war

• Nathanael Greene

• Nathan Hale

• Patrick Henry

• Thomas Jefferson

Important member of Congress; wrote the Declaration of Independence; became the 3rd President of the United States

• Nathanael Greene

• Nathan Hale

• Patrick Henry

• Thomas Jefferson

A naval commander who captured several British ships. He is sometimes called the "Father of the United States Navy."

• John Paul Jones

• the Marquis de LaFayette

• Thomas Paine

• Benedict Arnold

Frenchman; fought with Washington; convinced the King of France to send more troops to help America

• John Paul Jones

• the Marquis de LaFayette

• Thomas Paine

• Benedict Arnold