US History

American Revolution

Introduction

Washington at Dorcheseter Heights The American Revolution was the war that made the United States an independent country. It started in the hearts and minds of men and women who wanted to make their own fair and just rules, rather than having them made for them an ocean away. They wanted their own government, or representation in Parliament. They wouldn't get the latter, so they fought for the former.

From the time of the British colonies' arrival on North American soil, Parliament had made the laws there. Men and women of the colonies were subjects of the British king. This was fine, until Parliament began imposing laws that the colonists felt were unjust. The colonists had no representation in Parliament and Parliament was unwilling to give it to them.

Eventually, a war broke out between the colonists and their mother country. In the end, the war would be won by the colonists, but only with the help of the French, who were allied with the colonies. When the war was over, the people who had so recently been subjects of the King of England were free to rule their country as they saw fit.

American Revolution History

France's role in the American Revolution

by Lois Ryan

Allies to the United States in World War I and World War II, the French played a crucial role in both of these wars. Many people may not realize this, but in 1778, when the French entered the American revolutionary War, they were the key factor in a... More>

Interesting facts about the American Revolution

by Shelly Barclay

The Revolutionary War was one of the, if not the, defining time in United States history. Without this war it is very likely that the United States would not be an independent nation. Many interesting things happened, said and were done during this ... More>

Events and People of the American Revolution

Who were the Bucks of America

by Shelly Barclay

During the American Revolution, slavery was still legal in Massachusetts. However, there were a number of free African-Americans living in the colony and the town of Boston. When the American Revolution began, these men had a choice, do not fight at... More>

Slavery in Colonial America

by Royce Radcliffe

I have a lot of respect for our colonial ancestors but the one area I don't is in their approach to slavery. Even though some voiced moral concerns there was a permissibility in those days that allowed for this practice to run rampant. Some of the s... More>

Images from the American Revolution

A Look At What Caused the American Revolution

What the terms Whig and Tory meant during the American Revolution

by Tanner Hinkel

Between the 17th and 19th centuries, the British Parliament was ruled by two groups/ political parties, the Whigs and the Tories. These two political groups could probably be compared to the Democratic and Republican parties of today because while t... More>

The pivotal role of the French in the American Revolution

by D. J. Poe

The French played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. The typical American soldier was not trained in military tactics when he joined to fight. He was usually a farmer who wanted freedom from British rule, therefore he was willing to give his... More>

Reader's Poll

Do you think the British could have avoided the American Revolution if they had given the colonists representation in Parliament?

	No. The American Revolution was bound to happen.
	Yes. If the British had given the colonists what they were asking for, the war could have been avoided.
	It is hard to tell, given the complicated nature of the disagreements between England and the colonies.

Comments (1 to 2 of 2)

Shelly Barclay

Aug 06, 10 at 06:58 PM

Thanks, Ray.

Ray Burke

Aug 06, 10 at 01:42 PM

Hey Shelly,absolutely brilliant page here.Well done.

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Quick Facts

The American Revolution was a war fought between American colonists and the British. However, Native-Americans and the French were also involved.

The American Revolution began on April 19, 1775 and ended on September 3, 1783.

The first battle of the American Revolution was the Battle of Lexington and Concord, which is sometimes referred to as two separate battles.

The last battle of the American Revolution was the Battle of Yorktown.

Official Websites

Revolutionary War
It is the most complete site on the web on the Revolutionary War. The section on the "Causes of the War" traces the events that led to the American ...
LIBERTY! - The American Revolution | PBS
LIBERTY! Online is the official online companion to the PBS series LIBERTY! The American Revolution. It features a wealth of interactive information on the ...