Throughout American history, from the colonial period onward, people of African descent have played a crucial role in the fighting for the country’s independence. The American Revolution Summary & Analysis. By the summer of 1781, Virginia was ablaze with battles along the colony’s coast and across its center. Despite the growing unrest, many Americans perceived war and independence as a last resort. General Gage hoped to seize a storehouse of rebel guns and ammunition and possibly arrest some of the rebels’ leaders. It began in the 1760s when the friendly relationship between Great Britain and the colonies became strained. Throughout American history, from the colonial period onward, people of African descent have played a crucial role in the fighting for the country’s independence. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. According to historians, the British had the superior army. While General Cornwallis fought his way into Virginia, a brutal civil war erupted among the civilian population of the Carolinas. From the spring of 1776, France and Spain had informally been involved in the American Revolutionary War, with French admiral Latouche Tréville having provided supplies, ammunition and guns from France to the United States after Thomas Jefferson encouraged a French alliance. Although the exact numbers are unclear, many African Americans were involved on both sides of the Revolutionary War. It began in the 1760s when the friendly relationship between Great Britain and the colonies became strained. The Southern offensive continues into 1780. From the beginning, sea power was vital in determining the course of the war, lending to British strategy a flexibility that helped compensate for the comparatively small numbers of troops sent to America and ultimately enabling the French to help bring about the final British surrender at Yorktown. Around that time, the Second Continental Congress sent an Olive Branch Petition to King George III (which he rejected) and named George Washington head of the army. Undeterred, the British army under General Charles Lord Cornwallis then moved across North Carolina before fighting its way into Virginia. Director: John Sturges | Stars: Cornel Wilde, Michael Wilding, George Sanders, Anne Francis. The American Revolutionary War was a war fought between Great Britain and the original 13 British colonies in North America.The war took place from 1775 to 1783 with fighting in North America and other places. The North American theater of the primarily European Seven Years’ War was known as the French and Indian War.It was fought between Britain and France from 1754 to 1763 for colonial dominance in North America. Escalations began shortly after the end of the French and Indian War—known elsewhere as the Seven Years War in 1763. The war was the culmination of the political American Revolution, whereby the colonists overthrew British rule. The Revolutionary War was between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Thirteen American colonies. What made the American Revolution look most like a civil war, though, was the reality that about one-third of the colonists, known as loyalists (or Tories), continued to support and fought on the side of the crown. As a result, a formal military alliance was signed between the French and American governments in 1778, which entailed increased financial and military support. Patriots achieved several strategic victories in the South, the Briti… Threatened by the French fleet, the British abandon Philadelphia. By the early spring of 1776, the war had expanded to other regions. ~25,000 killed (Americans) ~27,294 killed (Germans + British seamen) The American Revolutionary War was a war fought between Great Britain and the original 13 British colonies in North America. Both sides prepared for war as negotiations continued to falter. However, the Continental Army won battles at King’s Mountain and Cowpens, stemming the tide of British advance. Amos Fairbank (1737-1809) 5. Washington and the Continental army narrowly escaped total destruction in the New York … In 1777, the British launched two major offensives. 17 June 1775: George Washington took over the command of the Continental Army in the Battle of Bunker Hill. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. When war erupted in 1775, it seemed clear that Britain would win. The colonists did not like the way the British were treating them, especially when it came to taxes. Divisions of the American Battlefield Trust: The American Battlefield Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Continental Army (army of the colonies), led by George Washington and helped by France and other powers, defeated the armies of the British Empire. The officers were drawn largely from the gentry and the aristocracy and obtained their commissions and promotions by purchase. The American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), also known as the American War of Independence, was a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies on the North American continent (as well as some naval conflict). The continental Army led by General George Washington was defeated by General William Howe with the American army inc… Our forefathers fought for liberty, freedom, and republican ideals the likes of which had never before been seen in any style of organized government preceding them. Show your pride in battlefield preservation by shopping in our store. The revolutionary colonists faced a war against one of the world’s major powers, one with an empire that spanned the globe. Jonas Fairbanks (1747-1832), was a minute man that responded to the Lexington Alarm; enlisted in New Hampsh… The American Revolutionary War is forever ingrained within our American identity, and provides all Americans a sense of who we are, or, at the very least, who we should be. 17 June 1775: George Washington took over the command of the Continental Army in the Battle of Bunker Hill. William Bobbitt (1744-1817) 3. Battle Summary. Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades. On May 12, a British army captures Charleston, South Carolina, along with more than 5,000 American soldiers and nearly the entire American force in the South. However, the Americans benefited from the excellent leadership of George Washington, the aid of France and tactical errors by the … Overview of the American 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. The letters and documents were drafted by John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, James Otis, Joseph Warren, George Washington and other important Revolutionary War … Asa Fairbanks (1731-) 6. It was also known as the American War of Independence. General Nathanael Greene recaptured most of South Carolina, fighting battles at Ninety Six, Hobkirk’s Hill, and Eutaw Springs. In September, General William Howe captured Philadelphia, winning battles at Brandywine and Germantown. Others were unemployed persons from the urban slums. After initial successes, particularly the capture of Fort Ticonderoga in upstate New York, an American invasion of Canada stalled and ended in failure at the end of the year. However, this period of tranquility and prosperity would not last. Upon finally reaching New York, British forces never again ventured far from their secure base there. Because troops were few and conscription unknown, the British government, following a traditional policy, purchased about 30,000 troops from various German princes. Votes: 578 The great majority became efficient soldiers as a result of sound training and ferocious discipline. Revolutionary War (1775–83): Military and Diplomatic Course In proportion to contemporary population and wealth, the Revolutionary War destroyed more lives and property than any American conflict except the Civil War; in duration it exceeded all American wars … The war was therefore one fought by small field armies. It is one of the war's greatest displays of American determination. The American Revolution Learn about the events leading up to America's Revolutionary War for independence from Britain and how the war was won. Americans fought the war on land with essentially two types of organization: the Continental (national) Army and the state militias. Campaign Summary. Updates? The Battle of Camden was a major victory for the British in the Southern theater of the Revolutionary War. The colonies enjoyed a period of “salutary neglect”; meaning that the colonial governments were more or less able to self-govern without intervention from Parliament. Learn about American Army, Structure, & Unit Summary in the American Revolution & share on our Revolutionary War forum & blog. Many of the British troops in the Revolutionary War were veterans who had fought in the French and Indian War. Simply known as the Revolutionary War, the American War of Independence started in 1775 and ended in 1783. In 1776, General George Washington crossed the Delaware River to reach New Jersey and there he defeated the British Garrisons in Trenton and Princeton. After arriving late to the battle and rallying his wavering troops, Washington made several defenses and counterattacks against the surging British force. Your tax-deductible gift will help us to preserve this irreplaceable twice-hallowed ground at Gaines' Mill and Cold Harbor — forever. Revolutionary War (Summary) study guide by jove18 includes 25 questions covering vocabulary, terms and more. As a result of the war the States adopted written constitutions that guaranteed religious freedom, increased the legislature’s size and powers, made taxation more progressive, and reformed inheritance laws. Save 36 Acres of Hallowed Ground at Two Virginia Taverns, Combined Federal Campaign and State Charitable Campaigns, Watch Exclusive Videos on our YouTube Channel. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. There were many battles fought and the colonies gained their freedom and became the independent country of the United States. Omissions? In the meantime, in the west, American forces under George Rogers Clark captured several British posts, culminating with a victory at Vincennes, Indiana, and the surrender of a much larger British force. After years of spiraling tensions in Britain’s American colonies, the American Revolutionary War began in 1775. Following Yorktown, both sides consolidated their forces and waited while peace negotiations took place in Paris. In 1778, the British consolidated their forces in New York and Canada and prepared to launch an invasion of the South. The Congress […] 1. At the time that the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783, ending the war in favor of the American colonists, the British still controlled Savannah, Charleston, New York, and Canada. The first battles of the American Revolutionary War were Lexington and Concord. American War of Independence: Facts and Summary. That same winter, a few months prior to the formal signing of the alliance, Washington’s army retired to Valley Forge, not far from the British garrison in Philadelphia. The full-on military campaigning began in the states north of Maryland, and fighting was most frequent and severest there between 1775 and 1778. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. He instilled in the soldiers a sense of pride, resilience, and discipline, which transformed the army into a force that was capable of standing toe-to-toe with the British. The “minutemen” intended only a show of force, and were dispersing, when a shot rang out. Donate today to preserve Revolutionary War battlefields and the nation’s history for generations to come. Fighting began outside of Boston in the spring of 1775 during a British raid to seize munitions at Lexington and Concord. From 1763 to 1776, Parliament, King George III, royal governors, and colonists clashed over regulations of trade, representation, and taxation. Displaying all 17 texts British regulars arrived on the Lexington Green early on the morning of April 19 and discovered the town’s militia awaiting their arrival. Please select which sections you would like to print: Corrections? 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. That autumn, British forces captured Savannah and Charleston and smashed General Gates’ army in Camden, South Carolina, forcing his army’s surrender. The Revolutionary War was a war unlike any other—one of ideas and ideals, that shaped “the course of human events.” With 165 principal engagements from 1775-1783, the Revolutionary War was the catalyst for American independence. Federal Identification Number (EIN): 54-1426643. The American Revolution was principally caused by colonial opposition to British attempts to impose greater control over the colonies and to make them repay the crown for its defense of them during the French and Indian War (1754–63). The Majority of our funds go directly to Preservation and Education. Until the end of the Seven Years' War in 1763, few colonists in British North America objected to their place in the British Empire. Donations to the Trust are tax deductible to the full extent allowable under the law. The Revolutionary War was a war unlike any other—one of ideas and ideals, that shaped “the course of human events.” With 165 principal engagements from 1775-1783, the Revolutionary War was the catalyst for American independence. The American Revolution was the struggle of thirteen American colonies against Great Britain. The war was the culmination of the political American Revolution, whereby the colonists overthrew British rule. The American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), also known as the American War of Independence, was a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies on the North American continent (as well as some naval conflict). By contrast, the British army was a reliable steady force of professionals. American Revolutionary War Timeline: 19 April 1775: The first shots marking the onset of the revolution were fired at Lexington. General Cornwallis surrendered, marking the unofficial end of the war. The War of Independence is forever ingrained within our American identity and provides all Americans a sense of who we are, or, at the very least, who we should be. 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. The war took place from 1775 to 1783 with fighting in North America and other places. There were many major battles of the American Revolutionary War. Until early in 1778, the American Revolution was a civil war within the British Empire, but it became an international war as France (in 1778) and Spain (in 1779) joined the colonies against Britain. Militias, poorly disciplined and with elected officers, were summoned for periods usually not exceeding three months. General George Washington led the American army to victory during the Revolutionary War. Preserve 108 Acres of the Most Important Unprotected Battlefield Land! The Netherlands, which was engaged in its own war with Britain, provided financial support for the Americans as well as official recognition of their independence. Roughly 5,000 members of the Continental Army, 5 percent of the total number, were black. David Bradlee (1742-1811) 4. BACK; ... For white women and all African Americans, the Revolutionary War offered at least a chance to expand on rights and liberties that had been circumscribed before. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. The Radicalism of the American Revolution (1993) by Gordon S. Wood is a nonfictional account of the Revolutionary War. Despite the losses, the inexperienced soldiers of the Continental Army performed well and gained a measure of confidence, believing that they could very well stand up to the British. The American War of Independence had officially begun. The American Revolution was the campaign by the American colonies to gain independence from Britain. The militia harassed the British all the way from Concord to Boston, and then surrounded the city. On November 16, 1776, in New York, British and German troops combined forces against the American Continental Army. The French and Indian War. Our forefathers fought for liberty, freedom, and republican ideals the likes of which had never before been seen in any style of organized government preceding them. The Revolutionary War (1775-1783) began as a conflict between Great Britain and her North American colonies. The Lensgreve (landgrave) of Hesse furnished approximately three-fifths of that total. On the ground, fighting in the American Revolution began with the skirmishes between British regulars and American provincials on April 19, 1775, first at Lexington, where a British force of 700 faced 77 local minutemen, and then at Concord, where an American counterforce of 320 to 400 sent the British scurrying. In the end, the American colonies gained their independence, ruling themselves under the “firm league of friendship” known as … American Revolution, also called United States War of Independence or American Revolutionary War, (1775–83), insurrection by which 13 of Great Britain’s North American colonies won political independence and went on to form the United States of America. The Treaty of Paris officially ended the war … British attempts to assert greater control over colonial affairs after a long period of salutary neglect, including the imposition of unpopular taxes, had contributed to growing estrangement between the crown and a large and influential segment of colonists who ultimately saw armed rebellion as their only recourse. Reasons for the difficulty in maintaining an adequate Continental force included the colonists’ traditional antipathy toward regular armies, the objections of farmers to being away from their fields, the competition of the states with the Continental Congress to keep men in the militia, and the wretched and uncertain pay in a period of inflation. Although the exact numbers are unclear, many African Americans were involved on both sides of the Revolutionary War. Throughout the war, state troops and local militias supplemented the Continental (Federal) Army. Please consider making a gift today to help raise the $170,000 we need to preserve this piece of American history forever. It ended as a global war, pitting European powers against each other in a time of intense imperial rivalry. Washington pursues them across New Jersey. The low din of battle, fought all those years ago, continues to echo the hearts and minds of Americans to this very day. Emeritus Professor of History, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut. John Mackenzie’s Britishbattles.com podcast.. Introduction (below): Battle of Lexington and Concord: The opening shots of the American Revolutionary War on 19 th April 1775, that ‘echoed around the world’. It began in 1775 and lasted until 1783, with the Americans winning the war. The Americans in the Thirteen Colonies defeated the British in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), gaining independence from the British Crown and establishing the United States of America, the first modern constitutional liberal democracy. The Battle of Fort Washington was a battle in the American Revolutionary War that resulted in a British victory and the subsequent surrender of the garrison at Fort Washington. Since it numbered only about 42,000, heavy recruiting programs were introduced. The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War of Independence or the Revolutionary War, was initiated by delegates from the thirteen American colonies in Congress against Great Britain over their objection to Parliament's taxation policies and lack of colonial representation. While Greene lost most of the battles in which he fought, he skillfully used his mixed force of militia and Continental regulars to maneuver the British out of the Carolinas' interior, forcing them toward the coastal cities and towns. Immediately download the American Revolutionary War summary, chapter-by-chapter analysis, book notes, essays, quotes, character descriptions, lesson plans, and more - everything you need for studying or teaching American Revolutionary War. It had a large, well-organized land army, and the Royal Navy was unmatched on the sea. AMERICAN REVOLUTION WAR SUMMARY CHART (_ - _) SIDES (who is fighting on each side – add additional George Washington arrived that July to assume command of the American forces, organized as the Continental Army. Many of the enlisted men were farm boys, as were most of the Americans. Following a siege and a series of attacks on the British position, Cornwallis surrendered his army to Washington. The Capture of Savannah, or sometimes the First Battle of Savannah (because of a siege in 1779), pitted local American Patriot militia and Continental Army units, holding the city, against a British invasion force. Updated September 23, 2019. Preserve 108 Acres of the Most Important Unprotected Battlefield Land, Save 40 Acres of the American Revolution Southern Theater, Kentuckians: Support Battlefield Preservation Legislation, Virginians: Support Battlefield Preservation Legislation. Though they received no formal training, they were not so dependent on a book knowledge of military tactics as were many of the Americans. Although minor fighting continued for two more years the war basically ended in October 1781 when British General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia. Until early in 1778 the conflict was a civil war within the British Empire, but afterward it became an international war as France (in 1778) and Spain (in 1779) joined the colonies against Britain. In an attempt to drive the colonials away from the city, British forces attacked the Americans at Breed’s Hill on June 17th, resulting in heavy casualties for the redcoats in the war’s first major battle. At Moore’s Creek in North Carolina and Sullivan’s Island at Charleston, American forces stopped British invasions.