Pennsylvanians Contribute to
the American Revolution
How did Pennsylvanians contribute to the
American cause during the revolution?When
the war began, not everyone in Pennsylvania,
or the other American colonies, was in favor of
independence. Many people, known as
Loyalists
, were loyal to England. In fact, during
the American Revolution, more than 1,400
Pennsylvanians joined England’s army. Other
Pennsylvanians, such as Quakers, did not fight
against England because of their religious
beliefs. However, they did care for the sick and
wounded soldiers.
Pennsylvanian cities were the center of
many important activities during the American
Revolution. Rifles weremade in Lancaster.
Cannons weremade in Philadelphia and at
other iron furnaces around the state. Military
supplies and ammunition were stored at Carlisle
near Harrisburg. To haul these supplies to the
American army, the sturdy Conestoga wagon,
made in Lancaster, was used.
During the American Revolution, many
Pennsylvanians served in very important ways.
Thousands of Pennsylvaniamen joined the
American army. They fought many battles under
the leadership of
General “Mad Anthony”
Wayne
.
Robert Morris
of Philadelphia helped to
raisemoney to pay for the war. Benjamin
Franklin persuaded the French to send the
American colonies amuch needed loan of
money.
HaymSalomon
helped to obtain a large
loan of money fromHolland.
Samuel Wetherill
owned a textilemill in Philadelphia. Hemade
uniforms for many soldiers even though he was
not paid for the clothing.
Many women followed the American army to
make and wash clothing, to act as nurses, and
to cookmeals. Mary Hays fromCarlisle followed
her husband into battle. She carried pitchers of
water to the soldiers who were fighting on hot
summer days. When her husband was wounded,
she took over his post at the cannon. Because
of carrying water to the troops, she was
nicknamed “
Molly Pitcher
.”
Sarah Bache
,
daughter of Benjamin Franklin, organizedmore
than 2,000 women in Philadelphia to sew
clothing for the troops.
Betsy Ross
, a
seamstress who lived in Philadelphia, is believed
to havemade our country’s first flag. It
contained 13 stars and 13 stripes to represent
each of the 13 colonies.
After more than six years of war among
the colonies, the Americans won their
independence fromEngland. They won the
right to rule themselves. The 13 colonies had
become a free country.
L
ET
’
S
R
EVIEW
1. List at least five reasons why it was not a good idea
for the American colonies to declare independence
fromEngland in 1776.
2. Why wasWashington’s crossing of the Delaware
River in 1776 crucial to the success of the American
Revolution.
3. Describe the conditions of the Valley Forge
encampment.
4. What was Friedrich von Steuben’smain contribution
to the American cause?
5. What was Ben Franklin’smain contribution to the
American Revolution?
6. List three ways the French provided help to the
Americans during the Revolution.
7. List the years of actual fighting for the American
Revolution.
9. How did the Quakers help the American cause during
the American Revolution?
10. Identify five Pennsylvanians and how each helped the
colonies win the American Revolution.
Molly Pitcher was a nickname given toMaryHays, who legend
says took up her husband’s post in battle after he was wounded.
Her name came from the pitchers of waterMary and other women
brought to their husbands during battles on hot summer days.
The American Colonies’ RevolutionaryWar
53
