Revolutionary Figures

Who were they?

And

Why are they important to us?

A little refresher on why the Revolutionary War

happened…

King George III

• Born in London June 4, 1738• Son of the Prince of Wales.• Married Princess Charlotte Sophia (German)• Was King of England from 1760-1820• Known as the “King who lost the colonies”• After loss to the colonists, other colonies rebelled

leaving him in conflict for the rest of his reign.• Died of Porphyria (disease caused by insufficient

production of hemoglobin).

American Leaders

Were you a U.S. President?

James Madison

Benjamin Franklin

George Washington

Alexander Hamilton

King George III

John Adams

Thomas Jefferson

Not Presidents….

But still important!!!!

Benjamin Franklin

• Born Jan. 17, 1706 in Boston!!• Was suppose to become a priest• At 15 became printing apprentice• Moved to Philadelphia in 1723• 1757-1775: he was a colonial representative in England.• Was elected to 2nd Continental Congress and worked

with five other men to write the Declaration of Independence.

• Signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776• Died on April 17, 1790

Alexander Hamilton• Possibly born in 1755• Joined the militia and fought many battles

– Drew in Washington’s attention

• Led a regiment of troops at the Battle of Yorktown• Elected member of the Continental Congress in 1782• Wrote the Federalist papers along with John Jay and

James Madison• Was the first secretary of treasury from Sept 11,1789-

Jan 31, 1795• Died in a duel with Aaron Bur (3rd presidential

candidate)

United States PresidentsThe first four

Let’s Take a Brief Look at

them

George Washington

• Born February 22, 1732• Fought in the first few minor battles in

the French and Indian War• 2nd Continental Congress Washington

was a delegate from Virginia • May 1775 he was elected commander in

chief• Served as President from 1789-1797

John Adams• Born Oct. 30, 1735• During the revolutionary War he was a diplomat to

both France and Holland. • He was Washington’s vice president for 2 terms but

as president he only served 1 term (1797-1801)• His presidency was difficult because of the war

between the French and British• He retired to his farm in Quincy• He died on July 4, 1826. His last words were “

Thomas Jefferson Survives.” (not knowing Jefferson would die hours later that day)

Thomas Jefferson

• Born April 13, 1743• At 33 yrs old Jefferson drafted the Declaration

of Independence• Jefferson became president in 1801-1809• During his 2nd term he was intent on keeping

the nation out of the Napoleonic Wars• He died a few hours after John Adams on July

4, 1826

James Madison

• Born March 16, 1751

• While at the Continental Congress he took part in the debates.

• He helped frame the Bill of Rights

• He was Jefferson’s Secretary of State

• He served as President from 1809-1817

• And died on June 28, 1836