American Revolution.

Overview

The American Revolution is a focused but important Jeopardy! topic with 471 clues and 10 Final Jeopardy appearances. The vast majority of clues (90%) come from just three categories: THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, and REVOLUTIONARY WAR, making this a highly concentrated study area.

The topic is dominated by a clear top tier: Benedict Arnold (19 clues, 3 FJ appearances; the dominant FJ answer), John Paul Jones (18), Cornwallis (16), Paul Revere (14), and Thomas Paine (11). These five answers alone account for 78 clues, 17% of the total.

Clue patterns by value: The $100 tier is a perfect 0% wrong rate. Difficulty climbs to 33% wrong at $2000. The heaviest concentration of clues is at $400 (101 clues, 14% wrong); the bread-and-butter value for this topic.

Study strategy: This is a "people and events" topic. Know the key figures (what they did, their famous quotes), the major battles (where and why they mattered), and the pre-war events (Tea Party, Stamp Act, Boston Massacre). The show especially loves: famous quotes ("I have not yet begun to fight," "I only regret that I have but one life"), Benedict Arnold's treachery, and Paul Revere's ride details.

Key stumpers: Francis Marion / "Swamp Fox" (60% wrong), King George III (50%), Nathan Hale (44%), and John Hancock (33%).

The Key Figures

Benedict Arnold

19 clues · 94% correct · 3 FJ appearances (dominant FJ answer)

The most-tested American Revolution answer and the clear #1 FJ answer (3 appearances). Arnold was a brilliant Continental Army major general who became America's most infamous traitor. He fought heroically at Saratoga (1777) before his treachery, plotting to surrender West Point to the British through British Major John André (1780). After his defection, he served as a British brigadier general.

FJ clues focus on his dual service, his correspondence (using the code name "Monk"), and contemporary quotes about his treachery. His West Point plaque shows birth year and rank but his name was removed.

• Rank: Continental Major General → British Brigadier General
• Heroic service: Battle of Saratoga (1777) wounded in the leg
• Treachery: Plotted to surrender West Point (1780)
• Contact: British Major John André (captured and hanged)
• Code name: "Monk" (in letters to the British)
• West Point plaque: Name removed; only birth year and rank remain
• FJ fact: 3 appearances, know his story cold

John Paul Jones

18 clues · 89% correct

The "Father of the American Navy." Scottish-born, he commanded the Bonhomme Richard (named after Benjamin Franklin's "Poor Richard") in its famous 1779 battle against HMS Serapis. When asked to surrender his sinking ship, he reportedly replied, "I have not yet begun to fight!" one of the most-tested quotes in Jeopardy! history.

• Quote: "I have not yet begun to fight!" (1779, vs. HMS Serapis)
• Ship: Bonhomme Richard (named after "Poor Richard"/Franklin)
• Title: "Father of the American Navy"
• Origin: Scottish-born
• Buried: U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis (remains returned from France 1905)

Cornwallis

16 clues · 94% correct

British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington at Yorktown, Virginia (October 19, 1781), effectively ending the Revolutionary War. He commanded British forces in the Southern campaign before being trapped at Yorktown by Washington's army and the French fleet. Later served as Governor-General of India.

• Surrender: Yorktown, Virginia (October 19, 1781)
• Significance: Effectively ended the war
• Trapped by: Washington's army + French fleet (de Grasse)
• After war: Governor-General of India
• Band played: "The World Turned Upside Down" at surrender (traditional)

Paul Revere

14 clues · 92% correct · 1 FJ appearance

Silversmith, engraver, and patriot famous for his midnight ride (April 18, 1775) from Charlestown to Lexington to warn that "the British are coming." Key details: he was captured by the British before reaching Concord (Samuel Prescott completed that leg), he participated in the Boston Tea Party 16 months earlier, he designed the first colonial seal and first Continental currency, and he was made an official messenger by General Joseph Warren.

• Ride: April 18, 1775 (Charlestown → Lexington)
• Captured: British captured him; Samuel Prescott reached Concord
• Profession: Silversmith, engraver
• Also did: Boston Tea Party participant; designed first Continental currency
• Poem: Longfellow's "Paul Revere's Ride" (1861) romanticized version
• FJ fact: Made official messenger by Committee of Safety (General Warren)

Thomas Paine

11 clues · 82% correct

Author of Common Sense (January 1776) the pamphlet that galvanized public support for independence, selling 500,000 copies. Also wrote The Crisis ("These are the times that try men's souls") and later Rights of Man and The Age of Reason. English-born, came to America in 1774.

• Common Sense (Jan 1776): Argued for independence; 500K copies sold
• The Crisis (Dec 1776): "These are the times that try men's souls"
• Origin: English-born; arrived 1774
• Later works: Rights of Man, The Age of Reason
• Not to confuse with: Thomas Pain (different person); Thomas Paine died in poverty (1809)

Nathan Hale

9 clues · 56% correct, STUMPER (44% wrong)

A young Continental Army captain who volunteered to spy behind British lines on Long Island. Captured and hanged by the British (September 22, 1776) at age 21. His famous last words: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country" (paraphrasing Addison's play Cato).

• Quote: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country"
• Age at death: 21
• Mission: Spy behind British lines (Long Island)
• Hanged: September 22, 1776
• Watch out: 44% wrong rate, contestants know the quote but not always the name

Ethan Allen

9 clues · 89% correct

Leader of the Green Mountain Boys who captured Fort Ticonderoga (May 10, 1775), demanding surrender "In the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress!" Fort Ticonderoga provided much-needed cannons that were later dragged to Boston. Also known for his modern furniture company namesake.

• Group: Green Mountain Boys (Vermont militia)
• Fort Ticonderoga: Captured May 10, 1775
• Quote: "In the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress!"
• Cannons: Ticonderoga's artillery later moved to fortify Boston (by Henry Knox)

Lafayette

~12 clues combined · 100% correct

Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette; the young French aristocrat who came to America at his own expense in 1777 to fight for liberty. Wounded at his first engagement (Brandywine, September 1777). Became one of Washington's most trusted generals. Named an honorary U.S. citizen in 2002 (only the 6th person so honored). James Armistead, a slave who spied for Lafayette, took his surname after the war.

• Arrived: 1777 (at own expense, age 19)
• First battle: Brandywine (September 11, 1777) wounded
• Relationship: Close to Washington; trusted general
• Honorary citizen: 2002 (6th person)
• James Armistead: Slave who spied for him; took name "Lafayette"
• Never missed: 100% correct rate

Battles & Key Events

Pre-War Events

• The Boston Tea Party (December 16, 1773): Colonists (including Paul Revere) dumped tea into Boston Harbor to protest taxation without representation. The Sons of Liberty disguised as Mohawk Indians.
• The Stamp Act (1765): British tax on printed materials; "No taxation without representation." Repealed 1766.
• The Boston Massacre (March 5, 1770): British soldiers killed 5 colonists. Crispus Attucks was the first killed. Paul Revere made a famous engraving of the event.
• Lexington & Concord (April 19, 1775): "The shot heard round the world." First military engagements. Minutemen vs. British regulars. Concord's North Bridge.

Major Battles

Bunker Hill (10 clues, 80% correct), June 17, 1775. Actually fought mostly on Breed's Hill (a favorite trick angle). British won but suffered heavy casualties. "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!" (attributed to William Prescott or Israel Putnam).

Saratoga (5 clues), October 1777. The war's turning point, American victory convinced France to enter as an ally. Benedict Arnold was heroic here (before his treachery). British General Burgoyne surrendered.

Yorktown (8 clues, 100% correct), October 1781. The final major battle. Washington, with French support (Rochambeau's army and de Grasse's fleet), trapped Cornwallis on the Virginia peninsula. Cornwallis surrendered October 19, 1781.

Valley Forge (9 clues, 89% correct), Winter encampment (1777-1778) in Pennsylvania. Not a battle but a crucible, Washington's army endured brutal cold and starvation. Baron von Steuben arrived and trained the Continental Army into a professional fighting force.

Brandywine (4 clues), September 11, 1777. British victory in Pennsylvania. Lafayette wounded in his first action.

Key Locations

• Valley Forge: Pennsylvania; winter 1777-78; von Steuben's training
• Fort Ticonderoga: New York; captured by Ethan Allen; supplied cannons
• Yorktown: Virginia; final battle; Cornwallis surrendered
• Philadelphia: Continental Congress seat; captured by British 1777
• Concord & Lexington: Massachusetts; first shots fired April 19, 1775

Foreign Allies & Supporting Cast

France

5 clues · 100% correct

France was the single most important foreign ally. Key French contributions: - Lafayette: aristocrat who volunteered (1777) - Rochambeau: commanded French troops at Yorktown - De Grasse: French admiral whose fleet trapped Cornwallis at Yorktown - Treaty of Alliance (1778) formal French entry after Saratoga

Baron von Steuben

~8 clues combined · high correct rate

Prussian military officer who arrived at Valley Forge (1778) and transformed the ragged Continental Army into a disciplined fighting force. He wrote the army's first drill manual. Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben is his full name (FJ answer once).

• From: Prussia
• Where: Valley Forge (winter 1777-78)
• Did: Trained Continental Army; wrote first drill manual
• FJ name: Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben

Other Key Figures

• Francis Marion (6 clues, 60% wrong (#1 STUMPER): "The Swamp Fox") South Carolina guerrilla leader who harassed British forces in the Southern campaign. Mel Gibson's The Patriot (2000) is loosely based on him.
• Molly Pitcher (6 clues): Mary Ludwig Hays; manned a cannon at the Battle of Monmouth (1778) after her husband collapsed. May be a composite figure.
• John Hancock (7 clues, 67% correct): President of the Continental Congress; first and largest signature on the Declaration of Independence ("John Hancock" = signature). Also first governor of Massachusetts.
• Hessians (6 clues, 100% correct): German mercenary soldiers hired by Britain. Washington famously crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776 to attack Hessians at Trenton.
• Casimir Pulaski (3 clues): Polish cavalry officer; "Father of the American Cavalry"; killed at Savannah (1779).
• George Rogers Clark (3 clues): Frontier leader who captured British posts in the Illinois Country (Kaskaskia, Vincennes).
• King George III (8 combined, 50% stumper): The British monarch during the Revolution. Jefferson's Declaration of Independence lists grievances against him. Later suffered mental illness ("Mad King George").

Final Jeopardy & Study Strategy

FJ Patterns (10 appearances)

Benedict Arnold dominates FJ with 3 appearances, know his story inside and out: 1. His dual military service (Continental major general + British brigadier general) 2. His code name "Monk" in British correspondence 3. Quotes from contemporaries about his treachery ("Money is this man's God...")

Other FJ answers: Paul Revere (1), Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben (1), Massachusetts (1), Samuel Adams or John Hancock (1), Major John André (1), Daughters of Liberty (1), the North Sea (1, geographic crossover).

The Quotes Drill

These famous quotes are among the most frequently tested on the show:

Stumper Drill

Evergreen vs. Fading Answers

True evergreens (all eras): Benedict Arnold, King George III, Fort Ticonderoga, Common Sense, Bunker Hill, Hessians, Concord.

Fading (mostly pre-2005): John Paul Jones (0 since 2015), Cornwallis (0 since 2015), Thomas Paine (0 since 2005), the Bonhomme Richard (all 1985-94 only). These are still worth knowing but may be lower-probability in modern games.

Still appearing recently: Benedict Arnold (3 since 2015), Yorktown (2), Ethan Allen (2), France (2), Savannah (2).

The Revolutionary War vs. Related Topics

Some answers cross over with other topics (U.S. Presidents, American History, Government & Politics). This guide covers the war-specific angle, but know: - Washington: primarily tested under U.S. Presidents - Benjamin Franklin: primarily under Historical Figures or Science - The Declaration of Independence: primarily under Government & Politics - The Constitution: primarily under Government & Politics