General Charles Cornwaliis

"A man who dares to waste one hour of life has not discovered the value of life."
           - Charles Cornwallis

Charles Cornwallis was a wise man who lead British to many victories. He was the commander of the British Army in the American Revolutionary War. Cornwallis was a man who wanted numerous victores for his hountry and for himself. In addition, after the Revolutionary war, he became in the governor-general of India. He was the leader of many battles that Britain fought with America. As always, he brought success and failure. In the Seven Year War, he was known for helping prevent the French invasion of Honover. The Seven Year War brought him a long and successful military career. Charles Cornwallis was an efficient commander and a commander hard to defeat. he always thought in adavnce of every battle to have victories. Although he did not won many battles, he learned from his mistakes and never gave up.

The amazing Charles Conwallis was born at Grosvenor Square, London on December 31, 1738. His parents were: Charles Earl Cornwallis and Elizabeth Townshend. At the beginning, hismlife was all about education because he studied at Eton and later on he went to Clare College at Cambridge. His family was very wealthy, but he was unusual in a certain aspect of his life. First of all, he decided to start a military career, which at the time was very unlikely for a wealthy man. Charles wanted passionately a military life because he bagan studying about it for a long time just to pursue his dreams. Also, Cornwallis was a member of the House of Lords; where he voted against the Stamp Acts and the Intolerable Acts. He was promoted major general by King George III in 1775 because it was the beginning of the intensive war with America. He fought in many battles against America, and most of them were win by the British because of him.

After a very long time in America fighting against the United States, Cornwallis lost the American Revolutionary War. Unfortunately, Charles had big desires of winning one of the most important battles of life, but he did not win because he land into a Patriots Trap. The defeat occured in Yorktown, where Cornwallis was leading his troops. Sudenly, he was trap by the Patriots, so he was force to surrender his army. Once he surrender, it was the end of the war. Eventhough his country was defeated, Cornwallis moved on by returning to London and focused on other aspects of his personal and military life. The defeat did not broke his spirit or reputation because he became governor of Ireland and India, where he made some helpful reforms. He was made First Marquess Cornwallis. Cornwallis put down an Irish rebellion, he passd the Act of Union which united the English and Iirsh Parliaments. Sadly, Charles Cornwallis died October 5, 1805. He is a great example for everyone who has dreams and want to have perseverance in his life.

The Revolutionary War Impacts Society

Who would've thought that the shots fired at Lexington and Concord would change not only America but the whole world? Nobody could have predicted the huge and amazing impact that this war had in all of the persons in the world. This event marked a precedent for other revolutions to come and it inspired people from all around the world to fight for their rights. Eventhough the Americans had an amazing success, the British were not so lucky to accomplish victory or even honor. They abandoned their Native allies in 1783 and the Treaty of Paris ignored them completely. This left them extremely vulnerable and they had to give up massive tracts of land that belonged to them at the beginning. On the other hand, the British tried to help the Loyalist allies but the state laws and mob violence prevented them from returning home. This may seem bad at first but on the long run, this was beneficial since it spawned the future Canada. This just shows that the war was a necessary change in the spirits of the Americans that eventually grew on to inspire each and everyone of us.
  
The majority of American womens do or made a small contributions to the Revolutionary War effort. Some even participated in the military side of the war. Women had the position to defend their families and homes from British and Native Americans attacks. For African American women in the Revolutionary War made little impacts in their lives. However the women's role became valued for the aid of the revolution and to became the mothers of the nation. Although they suffer many problems as by giving them more puiblic role in society. Also they suffer by not having legal rights, but for us this womens at that time help, because they participated in boycotting British goods, producing goods for soldiers and also spying the British army.

The Revolutionary War also impacted on the African Americans. African Americans still continued to be slaves. This inspired African Americans to demand for their freedom. Some slaves demanded for emancipation. They would go into courts to sue their owners. African Americans just wanted freedom, that is why they joined the Patriots militia for a promise of liberty. In the other hand, the southern slaves escaped and joined the British. Eventually, laws banned slavery in the North. that is why people on the North would sell the slaves to the South before they become free. Emancipation was successful in the North, but not in the South. In Virginia and Maryland, some farmers freed their slaves. this is called manumission. Twenty thousand slaves were freed in 1810, two thousand were freed by George Washington. This is how the Revolutionary War impacted the society.

The Treaty of Paris

The Treaty of Paris took place in the Revolutionary War between the British and the Americans. It recognized the American Independence and it also established new borders for the nation. This Treaty of Paris was made when the British were defeated in Yorktown, in 1782. The two people who decided to represent their country in the Treaty of Paris were: Richard Oswald, representing the British and Benjamin Franklin, representing the Americans. However, when the Treaty of Paris was sign the British, they decided to remove all of it's troops from the new nation. In the other hand, the Americans agreed to pay all existing debts to the British and also they agreed to NOT persecute the Loyalists that were still in America. Finally, you will see how the British lost the Revolutionary war and how the Americans were victoriuos in this major triumph.

It all started in 1781, when the Americans had their glorious victory at Yorktown between the British. The British negotiators were considering the American Independence as a possibility. Although, the British were thinking on to fighting again, but it would be that will result very expensive because they had to faced a formidable alliance and British greater enemies. That enemies are the combined forces of France and Spain. Therefore, the British plan another efficient strategy, which was to refuse to recognize the American Independence as part of the peace settlement. In July of 1782, Lord Shelburne gave an important issue for Independence, he hoped that a generous peace settlement with the United States should bring peace with France and Spain.

At the end, everything was prepare for the treaty that set boundries between Britain and the Unites States of America, the Treaty of Paris. The Teaty of Paris consisted of ten articles. The geat Treaty of Paris declare a very important intention that was that Americans and British forget all their past problems and misunderstandings. This treaty had many problems when it was on the process of creation because they had two long months of difficult decisions. The ten articles of the treaty consists with a great advantage for the United States. It consists that the United States will be free, independent, and sovereign states. Other thing that was claim in the Treaty of PariS was that the United States boundaries were very generous because they extend the Mississipi River. Finally, the article three that gave America guarantee acces to the Newfoundland fisheries. The final article indicate tHe ratification of the Treaty that had to occur witihin six months of signing. This was the story of the creation and some benefits of the Treaty of Paris.

The Battle of Yorktown

Sept. 28, 1781
On this day General George Washington was commanding a force of 17,000 Continental and French troops. On this day the most important battle of the Revolutionary War took place: The Battle of Yorktown. The enemy was the British General Charles Cornwallis with an army of 9,000 troops. This important battle took place in Yorktown, Virginia and the whole war lasted less than a month. In the spring of 1781, Washington traveled to Rhode Island where he met with Comte de Rochambeau in order to discuss and plan an attack on General Clinton. Clinton was the commander of British forces in America since Lord William Howe had resigned from his position. General Clinton was in New York City after failing to control the northern and middle colonies.

In New York, a French Fleet was expected to arrive later that summer and Washington wanted to take advantage of the opportunity and coordinate the attack with the fleet's arrival. However, Washington changed his plans and he decided to fool Clinton by making him believe he was going to attack him, while he secretly sneaked away to the south to trap Cornwallis. Washington made his men build big army camps and brick ovens to give the appearance of a long stay. He also prepared false documents under his signature discussing plans to attack Clinton and let the papers fall into British hands. Washington and Rochambeau set out for Yorktown in the middle of August. Cornwallis was in Yorktown because he had been ordered by General Clinton to provide a harbor for the British fleet in the lower Chesapeake Bay. He and his army chose Yorktown due to its deep-water harbor.


The French fleet that was commanded by Count de Grasse left Saint Domingue (nowadays Haiti) and headed for the Chesapeake Bay. The Patriots were filled with good luck because at the same time, Cornwallis chose Yorktown as his base and it is located at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Washington ordered Marquis de Lafayette and an American army of 5,000 troops to prevent Cornwallis from escaping by land while the French fleet covered the sea. Washington and his troops had surrounded Cornwallis completely by September 28, 1781. After three weeks of battle Cornwallis surrendered to Washington on Oct. 17, 1781, ending the American Revolutionary War. General Charles O'Hara was Cornwallis's second in command and he had to attend the surrender ceremony because Cornwallis said he was sick. After 8 years of war, finally the United States was a free and independent nation.

The Battle of Saratoga

One of the greatest battles in history is known as the battle of Saratoga. This was considered one of the most crucial victories for the Patriots since it gave them the confidence and emotional strength they needed to win the Revolutionary War. In fact, this battle is considered one of the "Fifteen Most Decisive Battles in World History". This battle gave the Patriots a good reputation and made them and other countries realize that there was a small possibility that they could actually win this war. France saw this and joined the Patriots in an attempt to hurt and weaken their old enemy England. This battle also gave strength to Washington and his Continental Army since they received more supplies as a result of their alliance to France. The Saratoga Battle is made up of two different battles that were fought in September and October of 1777.

The Battle of Saratoga was led by Horatio Gates. While the British Army was led by John Burgoyne. This battle took place on the Hudson River, in Saratoga, New York. It was fought by the Battle Freeman's Farm and Battle of Bemis Heights. The British commander, Burgoyne wanted to cut off New England from the rest of the colonies. While he advanced to the south of Canada, his forces were reinforced by Red Coats that were led by General Howe. Then, Burgoyne and his troops defeated the Continental Army at Freeman's a Farm. Days after the victory, John Burgoyne's troops were attacked by the Americans at Bemis at Heights. The British pull back when American used defensive techniques. Approximately 1,000 Red Coats were killed. After the retreat, John Burgoyne's troops were surrounded by the American troops. At the end, the British a General surrendered.

The victory of the Battle of Saratoga for the Americans was look like a new life for them because they were in a critical time. This victory helped the Americans to organize because they had just suffered a major loose in the Battle of the Brandywine. This impressive victory happened in October 1777. One important thing that happened is that France have confidence in America, therefore, they enter the war as allies of them. That was a very good help, but as always every help needs a payment. The colonists had a great deal with France on aiding the form of financial and the military assistance. After the Battle of Saratoga, the Britsh were surrounded under the control of General Burgoyne. This was one of the mayor turning points of the Revolutionary War. Finally, a good advantage is that the American morale was boosted and the country now felt that they could win wars.

Benjamin Franklin

"If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing." ~ B. Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was one of the greatest American citizens that ever lived and the people will never forget him. He was an inventor, a scientists, a statesman, a printer, a philosopher, a musician, and an economist. He lived by his words and he tried to write as much as he could, he also tried to do things worth writing by dedicating most of his life to his native land. Today he is honored as one of America's Founding Fathers. Although he was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 17,1706; the city of Philadelphia is known as his home. His father Josiah Franklin was a soap maker and he had 17 children including Benjamin Franklin. He received some formal education but was principally self-taught.

He worked in the fourth newspaper published in the colonies called the "New England Courant". This newspaper was founded by James his half-brother. Franklin wrote 14 essays for this newspaper and this were his first published writings, however they were kept secret. Later, he became a printer and he published "The Pennsylvania Gazette" which ran from 1730-1748. But his most succesful published book was an annual publication called: "Poor Richard's Almanac". This book had so  much popularity that it was second only to the Bible and it spread to Europe. By 1748, he achieved recognition for his writings and financial independence.

He was the leader of a political party and during the controversy of the Stamp Act, he became the spokesman of American Rights in London. His reputation was endangered when he and his family were threatened by the mob who opposed his ideas. But Franklin was not a coward, he stood by the American position in the House of Commons and this restored his prestige. When he returned to Pennsylvania, he became an important member of the Continental Congress. After only one year had passed, he served on the committee that helped draft the Declaration of Independence. He served his country until the end in fact, shortly before he died he signed a memorial recommending the abolition of slavery. Benjamin Franklin died on 1790 when he was 84 years old in Philadelphia, and this great man is an example of the most outstanding American citizens of all time.

The Battle of Bunker Hill

The Battle of Bunker Hill was fought in June 17,1775. Only days after Washington was elected as the new Commander of the Continental Army. The battle took place on Breed's Hill. The British were threatening them, and the Major General William Howe who lead the British forces, had the opportunity to surround the Americans with his ships at sea. Howe instead went with his soldiers to the hill, Howe believed that the Americans would forcefully retreat if they did a surprise attack. Howe was totally wrong because when the British soldiers crossed the Charles River, the Americans were waiting to counter attack. When the Americans saw the British soldiers, they killed as many as they could and the remaining British forces retreated down the hill. But the British never gave up and they attacked the hill again. In the second wave, they suffered from the same consequences.     

The third wave started!!! The British were already up the hill, and  the Americans were  running low of ammunition. As a result, the British finally took the hill but it wasn't easy. On the other hand, the British had 2,300 soldiers in total and they lost 1,054. Although the British won the battle, this victory took away the lives of many soldiers, especially the officers. However, the Americans got courage from the battle adn they believed that they had a fighting chance against the British. After this events, many colonists joined the army after the battle. Another advantage that colonists got at the end of this war is that the revolution continued to grow.

These are some interesting facts about the Battle of Bunker Hill. When the colonists ran out of ammunition, they were told "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes". The American troops worked hard during the night building their strong defenses, and many walls that they built, measured approximately six feet long. General William Howe was left astonished by the American defenses. And the British suffered the most casualities on every fight during the American Revolutionary War. In London, the news of Bunker Hill convinced the King that the situations in the Colonies had escalated too high and quickly.At the end, the King had organized an uprising and told the people that they should not treat this war as a foreign war. 

Ethan Allen

Have you ever wonder who Ethan Allen was? He was a very important figure of what we now know as the United States of America. Ethan Allen is mostly known for being the founder of the State of Vermont and also because he fought during the American Revolution as the leader of the Green Mountain Boys. Allen was born January 21, 1738 in Litchfield, Conneticut. Ethan Allen was a boy who had the dream to study in Yale University. Unfortunately, his father died in 1755 and he had to take care of his family and the family farm. Apart form being the leader of one of the strongest militia organizations, Ethan Allen was also a writer of many book and even pamphlets. One of the things not many people know about him is that he formed part of a group of intelligent men who made possible the independent commonwealth. Today, you can see Ethan Allen as a notable person of the American Revolution.

Ethan Allen was named the commander of the militia popularly known as the Green Mountain Boys. At first, Allen had any official rank in the Continental Army. Later on, he turned out to be the Lieutenant Colonel in the Continental Army and also General of the militia. During the American Revolution, Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys fought skirmishes in the frontier in order to fight the New Yorkers. Alongside Benedict Arnold, which was a general of the American Revolution, Allen and his soldiers captured Fort Ticonderoga in May 10, 1775. Fort Ticonderoga was first captured by the British, but the Patriots have the advantage of recapturing Fort Ticonderoga. The capture of the Fort was one of the first successful battles of the American Revolution War. After that, he managed to captured Crown Point, Fort St. John, and Fort Ann in the following weeks.

Ethan Allen wanted to invade Canada alongside Seth Warner, a chief lieutenant. Unfortunately, he was captured by the British in Montreal. Then, Ethan was exchanged for Colonel Archibald Campbell in 1778. When Ethan Allen returned to the colonies, he reported to George Washington, which was the military commander if the Continental Army, at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania. Furthermore, he returned to Vermont to follow his routine of fighting territorial disputes. While in Vermont, he wrote "Reason, The Only Oracle of Man" with some ideas of his friend Thomas Young, which was a philosopher. Allen wrote books and pamphlets to support Vermont because he wanted Vermont to become a state. In his last years, he went back to his farm to leave a peaceful life alongside his family. Ethan Allen died quietly in his farm in February 1789. He was very wise man.

Thomas Jefferson

"I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it."

This meaningful and marvelous quote was said by one of the most influential minds of the 18th century: Thomas Jefferson. We believe this quote can represent very clearly and accurately Thomas Jefferson's life. He was lucky to have been born in one of Virginia's most distinguished families, and in addition he inherited a considerable landed estate from his father. However, this luck wasn't for free since he was a hard-working man throughout his life. He was a public official, historian, philosopher, and plantation owner who served his country for over fifty years. He was always known for his optimism and he performed his occupations with great honesty and responsibility. He fought for the colonists's rights and he opposed Britain's unfair treatment towards them. He was the author of the declaration of independence and he voiced the hopes of the American people as no other individual in his era. Even in his death bed he was a honorable and respectable gentleman, the kind that this world needs more of.

Thomas Jefferson was born in April 13, 1743 in Shadwell, Virginia and he died in July 4, 1826 in Monticello. Thomas Jefferson is a very important person because he was the author of the Declaration of Independence and also the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom. In fact he was so valuable to his country, that he became the third president of the United States. Thomas Jefferson was elected governor from the years 1779 to 1781. His father was named Peter Jefferson and he was a succesful planter, and his mother, Jane Randolph was a member of one of the most distinguished families in Virginia. When he was twenty six years old he began constructing Monticello. In the other hand, Jefferson had many debts, although he was always considered an optimistic man. He died when he was eighty three years old.

Thomas Jefferson had many accomplishment in his long life. First of all, he founded the University of Virginia, being him named the "Father of the University." Also, Thomas Jefferson was the first secretary state of America. In addition, he was the co-founder of the Democratic Republican Party, which was the opposition of the Federalist Party. The Democratic Republican Party controlled the Congress and the Presidency. Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory because he wanted to expand America and because it had a variety of natural resources.  Furthermore, Thomas Jefferson was the initiator of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The Lewis Clark Expedition was the first expedition to cross the western part of what is now the United States of America. Apart from this accomplishments, he was also a father, gardener, and thinker, who had a strong believe in the rights of all men. Thomas Jefferson was an incredible man and a wonderful example for future generations.

The Declaration of Independence

One simply can't talk about the history of the United States without mentioning the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence is the nation's most cherished symbol of liberty. This formal document was drafted by Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776. In this formal and well-drafted document, Jefferson expressed the ideas in the minds and hearts of the American people. Jefferson got most of the ideas from a very influential book written by Thomas Paine. The book was called "Common Sense" and it expressed in a clear and simple language the advantages and immediate need for independence. In proportion to the population of the colonies at that time, it had the largest sale of any book published in American history.

Although the ideas for individual liberty were taken from John Locke and other Enlightment philosophers, the Declaration of Independence still had a huge impact in the colonists's lives. Jefferson did an amazing work in drafting this document because the final draft published by the congress had very few modifications. However, it is worth noting that the congress removed one fourth of the original text since they said it was unnecessary wording. Jefferson set forth a list of grievances against the King of England. He did this to justify and explain to the world the breaking of political ties between the colonies and England. Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in a little house situated in the outskirts of town because he found his own house uncomfortable since it was located in the heart of town. The house belonged to a well-known bricklayer called Jacob Graff and the family continued to live there while Jefferson wrote the Declaration.

Jefferson wrote the Declaration in under three weeks. The house where he drafted the document is now known as The Declaration House. The Declaration of Independence had 56 signers. Among those, the first, largest, and most-known signature is the one of John Hancock, the president of the Continental Congress. The youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence was Edward Rutledge who was 26 years old, and the oldest was Benjamin Franklin with 70 years. The Declaration was also signed by two future U.S. presidents: John Adams who would become the second president and Thomas Jefferson who would become the third president. The Declaration of Independence inspired many other people and countries because at that time most formal declarations were made by a monarch giving privileges to their people, however this wasn't the case, and it was in fact a pioneering example of people announcing their own sovereignty.

The Second Continental Congress

The Second Continental Congress met on May 10, 1775 after the battles of Lexington and Concord. The delegates of the Congress met at the State House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (now a days call Independence Hall) for the first meeting. Some of the delegates of the Congress were: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Hancock. The Second Continental Congress was conformed by fifty-six delegates from different colonies. John Hancock became the new president of the Continental Congress. In the other hand, Benjamin Franklin proposed the idea of independence to the other delegates, but most of the delegates disagreed because they were not ready. After everything that had happened with Britain, America was still not ready for their own independence.

Particularly, the Second Continental Congress decided to take responsibility from the war. That was the reason for them to start organizing an army formed mostly of volunteers. In addition, the Congress named George Washington as the military commander. Furthermore, the Congress discussed the possibility of the print paper money. Later on, the Congress authorized the print paper money. As said before, the delegates didn't want independence from Britain, apart from some radicals. In July of 1775, Congress allowed the Olive Branch Petition, which was a letter for the King. The King rejected the petition and instead he sent troops to Boston.

In 1776, the Congress decided to become independent from Britain. As a result, the delegates wrote the famous document known as the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence was formed and written by several delegates including: Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman. In addition, all of the delegates of the Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence. John Hancock is known for writing his name first and biggest on the Declaration of Independence.This document stated that the states would be independent and no longer part of Britain. On July 4, 1776, the Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. At last, the Declaration of Independence was a union to form a new nation known as the United States of America.

Lexington and Concord

The Shot Heard Around the World was fired!! It took place in Lexington, Massachusetts. It all started when Thomas Gage sent 700 soldiers to destroy weapons and ammunition that the colonists were hiding in Concord. Also, the British had planned to arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock. However, there was a brave man called Paul Revere, who with the company of two other men, went on horseback to alert John Hancock and Samuel Adams. On the evening of April 18th, 1775, British troops started to march towards Lexington. Before this movement took place, all colonists were alerted that British troops were coming. As a result, Samuel Adams and John Hancock managed to escape. Colonists were expecting a fight with the British, therefore they created a militia group that was known as the minutemen. The fight began and Captain Jonas Parker attacked British soldiers with 75 armed minutemen. At the end, 10 minutemen soldiers were injured and 8 were killed.

When the battle had finished, Paul Revere was caught by the British soldiers when he was reaching Concord to alert people that the British were coming. However, Paul Revere had messenger friends and they were the ones that managed to go to Concord and warn the people. The messengers plan consisted in alerting the people of Concord, taking as much ammunition as they could carry, and going to their hiding places. When British soldiers arrived they were only capable of destroying a small part of the supplies. Suddenly, a miracle occured and the colonists were able to surround the British and forced them to retreat. This plan's success can be attributed to the minutemen's quick response time and their ability to respond to messenger warnings. It is worth noting that the smoke from the burning supplies was attracting curious farmers and townspeople. The British killed 49 Patriots and injured 39, however the colonists were able to kill 73 British soldiers and injured 174.

British troops spent 4 hours in Concord searching and destroying the ammunition they were able to rescue. The colonists took advantage of this time and used the soldiers as a distraction to prepare for the battle. When the British arrived in Boston, 2,000 minutemen were prepared and ready for the battle. However, the minutemen were hiding in places such as: trees, stone walls, houses and sheds. They were not really prepared for the battle and this was evident when they weren't able to contain the British forces. Something interesting about this battle was that the British were called regulars because they wore red uniforms. The leader of the militia in Lexington was called Captain John Parker, and 25% of his army was composed by his relatives. The day after these battles took place, around 15,000 minutemen surrounded Boston.