American+Revolution

= [|ABC's of the American Revolution] = If you would like to explore this overview of the American Revolution from A to Z, click on the link above.

=__ [|American Revolution Timeline] __= ====Although the Museum of the American Revolution is not projected to open until 2017, the website for this new Philadelphia museum is already being constructed. Click on the link above in order to scroll through a comprehensive interactive timeline, listen to podcasts, and view key artifacts from the American Revolution. ====

= [|American Revolution Statistics] = If you would like to find out more about the statistics related to the American Revolution, click on the link above.

= Lexington and Concord = [|Shot Heard Round the World movie] Watch this movie on the "Archiving Early America" website in order to find out more about the Battles of Lexington and Concord. These battles were the first battles of what we now know as the American Revolution.

[|Minute Man National Historical Park (MA)] A Revolution begins - A Nation is born. Explore the battlefields, structures and landscapes of the Revolution's opening battle, and witness the revolutionary spirit by visiting this national park. Be sure to click on the "Photos & Multimedia" tab to see the "Battle Road Video" filmed in April 2006.

[|Eyewitness to History: Battle at Lexington Green, 1775] Read the eyewitness account of the battle of Lexington by clicking on the link above.

= American Revolution in New Jersey  = To find out more about Emanuel Leutze's famous painting, Washington Crossing the Delaware, go to the webpage http://missasmith.wikispaces.com/Picturing+America and scroll down to 4A.

[|Animated Map of the Battle of Trenton] Click on the link above to see a fully animated map of the Battle of Trenton.

[|Washington Crossing Historic Park] The museum and surrounding buildings depict the location of where Washington began his crossing of the Delaware River. Every year, this historic event is reenacted on Christmas Day. Additionally, there is an annual dress rehearsal held on the second Sunday of December.

[|Washington Crossing State Park] Administered by the State of New Jersey Parks and Forests Division, this park includes the site where Washington landed after crossing the Delaware River as well as a museum exhibition related to the military campaign known as the "Ten Crucial Days."

[|Crossroads of the American Revolution Association] New Jersey contains more than 500 farmlands, hillsides and homesteads that played some part in the American Revolution. Our Revolutionary War heritage - perhaps more significant than that of any other state - has been federally recognized by the designation of the Crossroads of the American Revolution Nation Heritage Area in New Jersey - one of America's 40 congressional delegation, two New Jersey governors, and the Crossroads of the American Revolution Association. You can find many links on this website to historic sites in New Jersey related to the American Revolution.

[|Old Barracks Museum] Originally built during the 1750's to house British troops during the French and Indian War, this historic landmark is now used as a museum. Students can view exhibits and participate in many hands-on activities related to military life before and during the Battle of Trenton. //Of War, Law, and the Third Amendment// is an exhibit examining the history of forced quartering in America (soldiers staying in peoples' houses uninvited). //The Battle of Trenton// exhibit features period weapons and equipment. //Hail the Conquering Hero. . .// celebrates Washington's entry into Trenton.

[|Rockingham State Historic Site (Kingston, NJ)] While the Continental Congress met in Princeton, Rockingham Historic Site served as General George Washington's final Revolutionary War headquarters for almost three months in 1783. In November 1783, Washington received the long awaited news - the Treaty of Paris had been signed, and the thirteen colonies were finally independent of Great Britain.

[|National Park Service Museum Collections: The American Revolutionary War] Using this page, you can click on links related to national historic sites such as Valley Forge National Historic Site, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, Independence National Historical Park, and Morristown (NJ) National Historical Park.

[|What Would You Do? Washington, Howe, and Cornwallis and the New Jersey Campaign] This interactive exercise requires you to anticipate decisions by the commanders of the Continental and British armies from the fall of 1776 through the summer of 1777. Do you think that you are up to the challenge? Click on the link above to find out.

[|The Proprietary House (Perth Amboy)] Visit the Proprietary House, William Franklin's home as Royal Governor of New Jersey. Although Governor Franklin's father, Benjamin Franklin, was a great supporter of the Patriot cause, he remained loyal to the king and resided in this home until 1776.

= Women of the American Revolution = [|Archiving Early America: Molly Pitcher- An American Heroine (movie)] Watch this movie on the "Archiving Early America" website in order to find out more about the Battles of Monmouth and the heroic acts of Molly Pitcher.

[|National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution] Find out more about the female heroines of the American Revolution by clicking on the link above. This organization is dedicated to preserving American historical places such as Jamestown and educating others about the importance of patriotism.

[|Women in the American Revolution] Everyone's heard of Benedict Arnold, George Washington, and Francis Marion, but who knows about Molly Pitcher, Penelope Barker, Esther Reed, or Patience Wright? Well, if you haven't, this is the website to find out more about the women who contributed to the American cause for independence. Click on the link above to read short biographies of many women who participated in the founding of our country.

[|Betsy Ross Homepage- Philadelphia, PA] Betsy Ross' life story is one of triumph through adversity. Did you know that she was disowned by the Quakers? She lost one husband to an explosion at a munitions depot that he was guarding. Her second husband died in a British prison. She survived her third husband, who was sick for many years. She had seven daughters, two of whom died in infancy. She maintained a business through it all. By the way, her pew was next to George Washington's at Christ Church in Philadelphia, PA. Click on the link above to find out more about the fascinating Betsy Ross and her role in the creation of the American flag.

[|The Stillwell Sisters of Cape May County, NJ: Revolutionary War Heroines] Rebecca and Sarah, daughters of Captain Nicolas Stillwell of Beesley's Point, Cape May County, New Jersey are not as well known as famous Patriotic women such as Betsy Ross and Phyllis Wheatley. However, Rebecca prevented a British raiding party from landing at Beesley's Point by firing a cannon filled with grapeshot at an approaching British ship. On the other hand, Sarah successfully enlisted General Washington's help in an exchange of prisoners, including her husband. Find out more about these notable women by clicking on the link above.

[|Oneida Indian Nation: Polly Cooper] The Oneidas played a significant role in the American Revolution by having fought with the Continental Army at the Battles of Oriskany and Saratoga. Read about how Polly Cooper, a member of the Oneida tribe, helped feed General Washington's starving soldiers at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania during the winter of 1777-1778.

[|Distingtuished Women of Past and Present] Read this biography of Margaret Cochran Corbin, who fought alongside her husband in the American Revolution and was the first woman to receive a pension from the United States government as a disabled soldier.

[|National Women's History Museum: Biography of Nancy Morgan Hart] From Georgia, Nancy Morgan Hart is known as a part-time spy and full-time Patriot. While her husband was away fighting in the American Revolution, Hart was left alone on the frontier with her children. However, she would dress up as a man and enter British camps pretending to be feeble minded in order to gain valuable information, which she would pass along to the Patriots. Also, she single-handedly captured a small group of Tories. Read more about the exciting life of Nancy Morgan Hart by clicking on the link above.

[|Canton Massachusetts Historical Society: Biography of Deborah Samson] Disguised as "Robert Shurtliff," Deborah Samson bravely fought against the British and Loyalists after the fighting officially ended in 1781. She was discovered after being seriously wounded from a sabre slash to the forehead and a musket ball in the upper left front thigh. Find out more about this Massachusetts heroine by clicking on the link above.

= Declaration of Independence =

Find out more about the signers of the Declaration of Independence by clicking on the link above.
[|Creating the Declaration of Independence] Although Thomas Jefferson was one of the greatest political minds in American history, even he had to make many revisions to the Declaration of Independence before it was completed. Check out this Library of Congress page to see what could have been included in the Declaration of Independence.

[|Archiving Early America: Declaring Independence (movie)] Watch this short movie on the "Archiving Early America" website in order to find out more about the history behind the Declaration of Independence.

[|Too Late to Apologize- Declaration Style] Watch this video about the Declaration of Independence. Let me know what you think about Thomas Jefferson's singing and fiddle playing as well as Ben Franklin's guitar skills. It's electric!

[|Declaration of Independence] Although you have a copy of this historical document in your textbook, you can find the //Declaration of Independence// as it originally appeared in the //Pennsylvania Packet// in its issue of Monday, July 8, 1776. One of the great newspapers in Philadelphia at the time was //The Pennsylvania Packet//. Of undoubted loyalty to the Patriot cause, it was published by John Dunlap who served as an officer in the Revolution. The paper was published every Monday and was famous for an engraving of a ship in the center of its masthead. (This facsimile of a portion of //The Packet// is from a reprint of the original by J.V. Vondersmith of Philadelphia on the centennial observance of the Declaration in 1876.)

[|Common Sense by Thomas Paine] Published in 1776, //Common Sense// challenged the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy. The plain language that Paine used spoke to the common people of America and was the first work to openly ask for independence from Great Britain.

[|Eyewitness to History: Writing the Declaration of Independence] In 1822, John Adams wrote a letter to Timothy Pickering responding to Pickering's questions about the writing of the Declaration of Independence. Adams' letters were published in 1850. (Coincidentally, Adams and Jefferson died on the same day, July 4, 1826 and were great friends.) Click on the link above to find out more about Adams' account of the writing of this historical document.



= Benedict Arnold = [|Archiving Early America: Benedict Arnold (movie)] Watch this short movie on the "Archiving Early America" website in order to find out more about why Benedict Arnold became a traitor to the Patriot cause.

[|Benedict Arnold: A Traitor, but Once a Patriot (U.S. News and World Report)] Read this article about how and why Benedict Arnold transformed from a Patriot war hero to a traitor.

[|Benedict Arnold in Williamsburg] Find out more about Benedict Arnold and his traitorous ways from the Colonial Williamsburg website.

= Battle of Yorktown = [|Yorktown: The Siege Begins] Produced by the Mount Vernon Estate,George Washington's home in Virginia, this 10-part video series is a must-see for those who want to find out more about this final battle and eventual surrender of the British in Yorktown, Virginia.

[|Eyewitness to History: The British Surrender at Yorktown, 1781] General Cornwallis did not attend the surrender ceremony, saying that he was not feeling well. His substitute, General O'Hara, first tried to surrender to the Comte de Rochambeau who directed the British officer to General Washington who in turn directed him to Washington's subordinate General Lincoln (not Abraham!). During the ceremony, a British band played the song "The World Turned Upside Down." Dr. James Thacher served with the Continental Army and published his account of the surrender years after the war ended, which you can read by clicking on the link above. = = = General Sites = [|Liberty! The American Revolution] LIBERTY! The American Revolution is a dramatic documentary about the birth of the American Republic and the struggle of a loosely connected group of states to become a nation. Originally broadcasted on PBS, the George Foster Peabody award-winning series brings the people, events and ideas of the revolution to life through military reenactments and dramatic recreations performed by a distinguished cast. Click on the link above to see the companion site to this award winning series.

[|George Washington's Mount Vernon- Virtual Mansion Tour] Located 16 miles south of Washington, D.C., George Washington's Mount Vernon home gives Americans a chance to view our first president's private home. Visitors are invited to tour the Mansion house and more than a dozen outbuildings including the slave quarters, kitchen, stables, and greenhouse. Stroll four different gardens, hike the Forest Trail, and explore the //George Washington: Pioneer Farmer// site, a four-acre working farm that includes a re-creation of Washington's 16-sided treading barn. George and Martha Washington rest in peace in the tomb where wreath laying ceremonies are held daily, and the Slave Memorial and Burial Ground is nearby.

= Spies of the American Revolution = [|Spies of the American Revolution] Visit this site to find out more about spies in the American Revolution. Make sure that you look at pieces of the actual letters that were passed between famous figures like George Washington, Paul Revere, and Benedict Arnold.

[|Spies of the American Revolution Treasure Hunt] Can you answer these ten questions related to spies of the American Revolution? Go on this Internet Treasure Hunt to find the answers.

= Miscellaneous = [|Flags of the American Revolution] The first flags that were used by our founding fathers ranged from different configurations of the stars and stripes to rattlesnakes. Find out more about the flags of the American Revolution, particularly the naval flag bearing the slogan "Don't Tread on Me."

[|American History: Animated History] See the American Revolution in motion! Watch events unfold through a variety of illustrations and animations. Click on any topic from Chapter 6 or Chapter 7 to find out more subjects ranging from the Battle of Bunker Hill to the Battle of Yorktown.

[|The Revolutionary War: Preview of the Declaration of Independence] This animated map follows the beginning of the war in April of 1775 when minutemen and other militias of colonists attacked a British expedition sent to Lexington and Concord. The British retreated back to Boston, where they were held by the Americans. The preview is 1:10 minutes long. Make sure that you turn on your speakers to hear the narrator describe the beginning battles of the American Revolution.

[|Eyewitness to History: The Continental Army at Valley Forge, 1777] The Chevalier de Pontgibaud was born to the French nobility but ran afoul of the law and ended up in prison. He escaped and made his way to America where he volunteered for service in the Continental Army. He arrived at Valley Forge in December 1777 and published his observations after the war, which you can read by clicking on the link above.

[|Classzone: Animated Maps] [|Revolutionary War Animated Maps] Click on any of the maps from Chapter 6 or Chapter 7 or from the American Revolution to find out more about the American Revolution from a geographic point-of-view. Also, make sure that your speakers are turned up so you can hear the narrator's voice while viewing the animated map or animated history related to the American Revolution.