Revolutionary War Facts
- 01 Synonym: American War of Independence
- 02 Duration: 8 years (1775 – 1783)
- 03 Sides: British vs. Colonists
- 04 Location: North America, Europe, India
- 05 Causes: Taxes, rebellion, violence
- 06 Battles: Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, Saratoga, Quebec
- 07 Winners: USA and their allies
- 08 Movies: John Adams, April Morning, The Patriot, The Crossing
Full Answer
What is the most interesting part about the Revolutionary War?
Washington’s great triumph against the Hessian forces at Trenton on December 26, 1776, is one of the best-known episodes of the Revolutionary War. ( Map: Battle of Trenton) Fearing a counterattack by British regulars, Washington hustled his tired warriors and frozen Hessian captives back to the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River.
What are 5 causes of the Revolutionary War?
5 Biggest Causes of the American Revolution. The 5 biggest causes of the American Revolution are the Proclamation of 1763, the Quartering Act, the French and Indian War, the Boston Massacre and the Intolerable Acts.
What are five significant events in the Revolutionary War?
Notable Events of 1775
- Patrick Henry Speech. ...
- War breaks out. ...
- Second Continental Congress meet. ...
- June 14, 1775 - United States Army officially created. ...
- June 16, 1775 - Continental Congress appoints George Washington commander of Continental Army. ...
- June 17, 1775 - Battle of Bunker Hill. ...
- July 5, 1775 - The Olive Branch Petition Written. ...
- October 13, 1775 - American Navy Authorized. ...
What do you really know about the Revolutionary War?
Revolutionary War Facts. 1) There were two Boston tea parties: Between 50 or 60 "Sons of Liberty," disguised as Mohawks, protested the 3 cents per pound British tax on tea by dumping chests of the popular drink into Boston Harbor on December 16, 1773. Fewer know that the improper Bostonians repeated the performance on March 7, 1774.
What are 4 facts about the Revolutionary War?
Revolutionary War Facts Infographics.The War Officially Started near Boston on April 19 1775. ... Revolutionary War Was Actually a World War. ... The War May Have Claimed over 100,000 Lives. ... George Washington Was the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. ... Native Americans and Loyalists Fought on the British Side.More items...•
What is the Revolutionary War known for?
The American Revolution—also called the U.S. War of Independence—was the insurrection fought between 1775 and 1783 through which 13 of Great Britain's North American colonies threw off British rule to establish the sovereign United States of America, founded with the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
What are 5 reasons America won the Revolutionary War?
Factors Contributing to the American VictoryAlliance with France. Arguably the single most important of Benjamin Franklin's many contributions to his nation was securing a French alliance during the revolution. ... British Debt. ... Distance. ... Familiarity with the Territory. ... Hearts and Minds.
What is the most important thing about the American Revolution?
The Declaration of Independence is the most important document that was a result of the Revolution. It marked the independence of the thirteen British colonies and the beginning of the United States of America.
How did Revolutionary War start?
In April 1775 British soldiers, called lobsterbacks because of their red coats, and minutemen—the colonists' militia—exchanged gunfire at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. Described as "the shot heard round the world," it signaled the start of the American Revolution and led to the creation of a new nation.
How long did Revolutionary War last?
seven yearsHow long was the Revolutionary War? The American Revolutionary war lasted just over seven years, with the end of conflict coming after British forces were removed from Charleston and Savannah in late 1782.
What were the 3 main causes of the American Revolution?
Here are 6 key causes of the American revolution.Seven Years War (1756-1763) ... Taxes and Duties. ... Boston Massacre (1770) ... Boston Tea Party (1773) ... Intolerable Acts (1774) ... King George III's Speech to Parliament (1775)
How many people died in the American Revolution?
AMERICAN CASUALTIES Between 25,000 and 70,000 American Patriots died during active military service. [1] Of these, approximately 6,800 were killed in battle, while at least 17,000 died from disease. The majority of the latter died while prisoners of war of the British, mostly in the prison ships in New York Harbor.
How did the Revolutionary War end?
When did the American Revolution end? The Treaty of Paris was signed two years later, on September 3rd, 1783, by representatives of King George III including David Hartley and Richard Oswald and the United States including Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay, officially ending the conflict.
How many wars has America lost?
US lost five major wars after 1945 However, the US was unable to get any significant victory in its wars abroad. America fought five major wars after 1945 including Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan in addition to some minor wars in Somalia, Yemen, and Libya.
How many soldiers fought in the Revolutionary War?
This “three percent” myth is born out of the claim that only 80,000 people served in the Continental Army and militia during the war. With the 1780 population estimated at 2,780,369, that gives us 2.96 percent of the country serving in George Washington's Army.
Who led the American Revolution?
General George Washington led the American army to victory during the Revolutionary War. Despite having little practical experience in managing large, conventional armies, Washington proved to be a capable and resilient leader of the American military forces during the Revolutionary War.
What were the 3 main causes of the American Revolution?
Here are 6 key causes of the American revolution.Seven Years War (1756-1763) ... Taxes and Duties. ... Boston Massacre (1770) ... Boston Tea Party (1773) ... Intolerable Acts (1774) ... King George III's Speech to Parliament (1775)
What happened in 1776 in the American Revolution?
By issuing the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies severed their political connections to Great Britain. The Declaration summarized the colonists' motivations for seeking independence.
How did America win the Revolutionary War?
After French assistance helped the Continental Army force the British surrender at Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781, the Americans had effectively won their independence, though fighting would not formally end until 1783.
Why did the English lose the Revolutionary War?
There are significant reasons why the British lost the war despite having the upper hand in terms of weaponry and soldiers. Some of these include: the British fighting on American land, General Howe's lack of judgment, and the surrender of Lord Cornwallis and his soldiers.
Revolutionary Technology
When you think about the Revolutionary War, technological innovations likely aren’t the first thing that come to mind. However, it was during the Thirteen Colonies’ fight for independence that the world’s first submarine attack took place.
Early Espionage
Spies were used extensively during the Revolutionary War. Some of the earliest patriot victories can be attributed to their work. The Revolutionary War’s espionage tactics were sophisticated and included invisible ink, ciphers, and code names.
An International Conflict
It’s fairly well known that the French supported Colonial America in the Revolutionary War. In fact, the war would likely have been impossible for the United States to win without their support. The French provided the patriots with cash, weapons, ammunition, and troops.
Diversity in the Ranks
Thousands of African Americans participated in the Revolutionary War—on both sides of the conflict. Many were enslaved people who were promised their freedom at the end of the war. Inspired by the promise of liberty, African Americans enlisted in the continental army.
The Revolutionary War and You
If your ancestry traces back to Colonial America, it’s likely that this turning point in history may also be a part of your family’s legacy. FamilySearch has hundreds of thousands of records that can help you find your ancestors in the American Revolution and learn their stories.
What was the American Revolution?
The Revolutionary War (1775-83), also known as the American Revolution, arose from growing tensions between residents of Great Britain’s 13 North American colonies and the colonial government, which represented the British crown. Skirmishes between British troops and colonial militiamen in Lexington and Concord in April 1775 kicked off the armed conflict, and by the following summer, the rebels were waging a full-scale war for their independence. France entered the American Revolution on the side of the colonists in 1778, turning what had essentially been a civil war into an international conflict. After French assistance helped the Continental Army force the British surrender at Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781, the Americans had effectively won their independence, though fighting would not formally end until 1783.
What was the result of the Revolutionary War?
The Revolutionary War was an insurrection by American Patriots in the 13 colonies to British rule, resulting in American independence.
What was the name of the battle where the Redcoats were intercepted?
On April 19, local militiamen clashed with British soldiers in the Battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts, marking the “shot heard round the world” that signified the start of the Revolutionary War.
What was the first battle of the Revolution?
The engagement, known as the Battle of Bunker Hill, ended in British victory, but lent encouragement to the revolutionary cause. Recommended for you. 1917.
What were the major setbacks of the American Revolutionary War?
The Americans suffered a number of setbacks from 1779 to 1781, including the defection of General Benedict Arnold to the British and the first serious mutinies within the Continental Army. In the South, the British occupied Georgia by early 1779 and captured Charleston, South Carolina in May 1780. British forces under Lord Charles Cornwallis then began an offensive in the region, crushing Gates’ American troops at Camden in mid-August, though the Americans scored a victory over Loyalist forces at King’s Mountain in early October. Nathanael Green replaced Gates as the American commander in the South that December. Under Green’s command, General Daniel Morgan scored a victory against a British force led by Colonel Banastre Tarleton at Cowpens, South Carolina, on January 17, 1781.
What was the outcome of the Battle of Yorktown?
Though neither side would take decisive action over the better part of the next two years, the British removal of their troops from Charleston and Savannah in late 1782 finally pointed to the end of the conflict. British and American negotiators in Paris signed preliminary peace terms in Paris late that November, and on September 3, 1783, Great Britain formally recognized the independence of the United States in the Treaty of Paris. At the same time, Britain signed separate peace treaties with France and Spain (which had entered the conflict in 1779), bringing the American Revolution to a close after eight long years.
What was the French and Indian War?
The French and Indian War, or Seven Years’ War (1756-1763), brought new territories under the power of the crown, but the expensive conflict lead to new and unpopular taxes. Attempts by the British government to raise revenue by taxing the colonies (notably the Stamp Act of 1765, the Townshend Acts of 1767 and the Tea Act of 1773) met with heated protest among many colonists, who resented their lack of representation in Parliament and demanded the same rights as other British subjects.
What were some interesting facts about the American Revolution?
It took place between 1775 and 1783. The revolution arose from rising pressure between inhabitants of Great Britain’s thirteen North American territories and the imposing administration, ...
How many Americans died in the American Revolution?
Majority of the soldiers in this era would die from diseases as opposed to active combat. The American Revolution saw about 7,000 Americans lose their lives, alongside 10,000 Frenchmen and 5,000 Spaniard troopers. On the returning side, around 6,000 Briton soldiers lost their lives, alongside 1,800 German troopers.
What was the conflict between British troops and colonial troopers in Lexington and Concord?
The conflict between British soldiers and colonial troopers in Lexington and Concord kicked off armed clashes, in April 1775. The subsequent summer, the insurgents were pursuing a full-scale war as they fought for their sovereignty.
How many Native Americans battled the British?
Though some Native Americans battled alongside the colonizers, about 13,000 of those who were directly involved in the conflict battled for the British side. This led to squabbles and divisions inside native tribes, most noteworthy among the Mohawk.
How many territories were there in the Roanoke?
This was particularly true of the Roanoke, after the French and Indian War. There were thirteen territories, and the people living in the colonies disliked many of the British Government directives. For the longest time, the British government were the final say on which nations could buy and sell with the colonies.
When did France join the American Revolution?
In 1778 , France joined the American Revolution on the side of the colonists, converting what had been, in essence, a countrywide war into an international clash. After French aid assisted the Continental Army, they forced the British to surrender in 1781 at Yorktown in Virginia.
When did Washington get rid of the British?
Early 1776, Washington’s militia got rid of the British in Boston.
Who defeated Washington in the Revolutionary War?
In what proved to be the largest battle of the Revolutionary War in terms of total combatants, Washington’s forces on August 22, 1776, were flanked out of their positions atop the Gowanus Heights (part of today’s modern Brooklyn) and soundly defeated by William Howe 's roughly 20,000 man force on Long Island.
How many Americans died in the Battle of White Plains?
The debacle at Fort Washington cost the Americans 59 killed and another 2,837 captured.
What was Washington's role in the Battle of Bunker Hill?
Arriving shortly after the conclusion of the Battle of Bunker Hill, Washington moved swiftly to assume command of the ragtag forces surrounding besieging the British garrison within the city of Boston. What Washington did not realize at the time was that it would be six long years of battle, marching, siege, crises, and winter encampments before Washington had an opportunity to return to his beloved Mount Vernon. In September 1781, as the combined American and French forces made their way down to Yorktown, Virginia, Washington was able to make a brief visit to his home along the Potomac River. During this visit, Washington and Rochambeau refined their plan for defeating Charles Cornwallis’ forces trapped on the York Peninsula.
What was George Washington's military experience?
Despite having little experience in commanding large, conventional military forces, Washington’s strong leadership presence and fortitude held the American military together long enough to secure victory at Yorktown and independence for his new nation. 1.
How did George Washington save his army?
Confronted by a powerful British army to his front and the East River to his back, Washington rapidly formulated a risky plan to save his threatened army atop Brooklyn Heights. With the constant threat that the Royal Navy would enter the East River and block his avenue of retreat, Washington ordered that all available flatboats be brought down to his position so that the army could be moved to nearby Manhattan on the night of August 29-30, 1776. Aided by a providential fog that hid the evacuation, Washington was able to successfully move all 9,000 of his troops to Manhattan without losing a man – a remarkable military feat that astounded his British enemy.
How many militia did George Washington command?
In 1754 Washington commanded roughly 100 regulars and 300 militia at the ill-fated Battle of Fort Necessity. Despite this seeming lack of experience in managing large army formations, Washington brought a number of strengths to his new position as commander of the Continental Army.
Who was the quartermaster of the Continental Army?
Washington became so concerned over the poor state of supply that he appointed Gen. Nathanael Greene as his new quartermaster. Greene, who was initially concerned about taking this thankless job, overhauled the inefficient supply system and greatly improved the state of the Continental Army through his efforts.
Who was the French kid who was instrumental in General Washington's defeat of the British at Yorktown in 1781?
Thank That French Kid. The Marquis de Lafayette, who was instrumental in General Washington’s defeat of the British at Yorktown in 1781, was only 19 when he joined the Continental Army as a major general in 1777. 10. George Washington’s Teeth Were a Lie.
Why did the Continental Congress hire pirates?
Since they didn’t have money for a big navy, the Continental Congress hired privateers, aka pirates, to attack British ships. They were then supposed to split the booty with the U.S.
Is the word "independence" in the Declaration of Independence?
The word “independence” never appears in the Declaration of Independence — rather, it’s titled “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America.”
Was the American Revolution boring?
For a war about taxes, the American Revolution sure wasn’t boring. Tales of the scrappy Colonists’ rebellion against King George III made many of us history buffs back in elementary school. (Even as adults, some of us still geek out over Revolutionary War records on Ancestry.) But those textbooks didn’t teach us everything there is ...
What are some interesting facts about the American Revolution?
Top 10 Things to Know About the American Revolution. John Trumbull. 1. The Enlightenment shaped the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution. The greatest influence over the thoughts, passions, and actions of the era’s leading figures was the Enlightenment. This intellectual movement found its origins with the development ...
When did the first shots of the American Revolution happen?
The first real shots of the American Revolution, at Boston on the night of March 5, 1770 , saw rebel rouser Crispus Attucks fall to British musket fire. Divisions among the British and Patriots were not only shared by white citizens.
Why is Benedict Arnold's story so interesting?
What makes his story so interesting, not just because his life was a Shakespearean tragedy, is that it shows the competing interests that were often at play during the American Revolution.
What rights did the British have?
British common law stipulated that British subjects had a natural right to free speech, trial by jury or one’s peers, petitioning the government over grievances, fears of government-controlled standing armies, and a right to defend one’s private property.
When were the 10 crucial days?
And we see that without their contributions, American history would be entirely different. 3. Ten Crucial Days (December 24, 1776 - January 3, 1777) If there is one stretch of days in American history in need of a Hollywood blockbuster, it would most certainly be the ‘ten crucial days’ at the end of 1776.
Did women serve in the army?
Wives lobbied to cook and wash clothes for soldiers. Other women served as concubines and prostitutes. Others even took up arms as soldiers.
Was the United States founded on the Enlightenment?
The United States of America, founded on the principles of the Enlightenment, had been born. 2. African-Americans were not invisible during the Revolution. It is often lost on us how crucial — and integral — African-Americans have been to our history from the very beginning.
Revolutionary Technology
- When you think about the Revolutionary War, technological innovations likely aren’t the first thing that come to mind. However, it was during the Thirteen Colonies’ fight for independence that the world’s first submarine attacktook place. TheAmerican Turtle, a submersible vessel shaped rather like a giant acorn, was constructed in 1775 by David Bus...
Early Espionage
- Spies were used extensivelyduring the Revolutionary War. Some of the earliest patriot victories can be attributed to their work. The Revolutionary War’s espionage tactics were sophisticated and included invisible ink, ciphers, and code names. Among the spy networks used, the Culper Ringwas perhaps the most elite and the most secretive. In fact, its existence wasn’t public knowl…
An International Conflict
- It’s fairly well known that the French supported Colonial America in the Revolutionary War. In fact, the war would likely have been impossible for the United States to win without their support. The French provided the patriots with cash, weapons, ammunition, and troops. However, it wasn’t just the French military that became involved in the American Revolution. Spain,a prominent French …
Diversity in The Ranks
- Thousands of African Americansparticipated in the Revolutionary War—on both sides of the conflict. Many were enslaved people who were promised their freedom at the end of the war. Inspired by the promise of liberty, African Americans enlisted in the continental army. These men served in the battlefield, in the navy, and in noncombatant roles such as cooks, wagoners, and ar…
The Revolutionary War and You
- If your ancestry traces back to Colonial America, it’s likely that this turning point in history may also be a part of your family’s legacy. FamilySearchhas hundreds of thousands of records that can help you find your ancestors in the American Revolution and learn their stories. If you know of an ancestor living in the continental United States during the Revolutionary War, type his or her nam…