Declaration of Independence
Circumstances informing Britan of their independence
Purpose to declare freedom
Author Thomas Jefferson
Common Sense
Circumstances needed to convince people they needed independence
Purpose to encourage independence
Author Thomas Paine
Liberty or Death
Circumstances speech at meeting of the convention of delegates
Purpose to convince people independence was needed
Author Patrick Henry
The Crisis
Circumstances depressing times, colonies are losing battles
Purpose boost soldier’s morale
Author Thomas Paine
Circumstances informing Britan of their independence
Purpose to declare freedom
Author Thomas Jefferson
Common Sense
Circumstances needed to convince people they needed independence
Purpose to encourage independence
Author Thomas Paine
Liberty or Death
Circumstances speech at meeting of the convention of delegates
Purpose to convince people independence was needed
Author Patrick Henry
The Crisis
Circumstances depressing times, colonies are losing battles
Purpose boost soldier’s morale
Author Thomas Paine
Revolutionary war Minorities
During the war, minorities had a large role. Most used the war to fight to improve their rights. Women stepped up while men were away fighting. Some famous women of the time period include Betsy Ross, who created the first American flag, and Philis Weatly, an African American poet who wrote about unequal rights. African American men fought for the colonies, but mainly only in small militias. They also sometimes worked as spies for the colonies. Marquis Lafayette was a successful spy against the British. Native Americans also had a role. Most tribes fought with the British, due to alliances during the French and Indian war. Joseph Brant was a famous translator for the British, and helped organize many tribes.
This is a video with interesting facts about the war.