History

The last of America’s Founding Fathers to rise to the presidency, Monroe was the third straight Democratic Republican to serve two terms. Another affluent Virginian – John Adams was the only one of America’s first five presidents who didn’t fit that description – Monroe served in the Continental Army, being wounded at the Battle of Trenton.

From Rebellion Revolution

The Road to the Rebellion Part I

A courtier in the early days of King Louis XVI’s court, the Marquis de Lafayette sought to win glory as a soldier. He paid his own way to America, arriving in Philadelphia in July of 1777. A 20 year old with no combat experience, Lafayette was named a Major General in the Continental Army and struck up a lasting friendship with the commanding General George Washington. Lafayette was one of several European soldiers who made a name for themselves in the conflict. He served with distinction at the Battle of Brandywine and led his troops out of a British trap at the Battle of Barren Hill. In 1779 he returned to France to help Ben Franklin and John Adams to influence King Louis XVI on the Americans behalf. He returned to the Americas in 1780 he carried the word that Gen. Rochambeau would be arriving with 6,000 troops and that six ships of the French Navy were on their way. Washington gave Lafayette command of an Army in Virginia, fighting forces led by former American Gen. Benedict Arnold. With the aid of Gen. Mad Anthony Wayne and militia forces commanded by the Prussian Freiherr von Steuben, Lafayette helped trap Gen. Cornwallis at Yorktown. After tour of the United States in 1784, Lafayette returned to his native France where he became a leader of the liberal aristocrats, supporting religious freedom and the abolition of the slave trade. A supporter of the Royal family, he found himself between worlds, supporting revolutionary ideas but working to maintain the idea of a constitutional monarchy.

The wife of Founding Father and future President John Adams, Abigail was famously his advisor and an early advocate for women’s rights. She sternly opposed slavery and supported the education of women. She was a strong voice supporting her husband and the Revolution while caring for their family and farm and businesses while John Adams was serving in the Continental Congress and as a diplomat abroad. After the war, she spend five years in Europe with Adams and she remained his closest advisor.

British rule.

A British born officer in the Continental Army, Lee was one of several Army officers who openly doubted and worked against George Washington.

ert every power I Possess In their service & for the Support of the glorious Cause: I beg they will accept my most cordial thanks for this distinguished testimony of their Approbation.”

Ben Franklin

A member of the British aristocracy – his father was 1st Viscount Gage – the young Gage attended Westminster school where he became acquainted with several others who would play key roles in the colonies and the Revolution including John Burgoyne, Richard Howe and George Germain. He joined the military in the 1740s seeing service in the War of Austrian Succession in 1743 and the Second Jacobite Uprising in 1745. A Major in the 44th Foot Regiment, he was stationed in Ireland and in 1755 sent to service in North America. He and his unit were part of the Braddock Expedition of 1755, fighting in the Battle of Monongahela where George Washington served with distinction.