Teacher
Guide to the American Revolution
The American Revolutionary War was fought between 1775 and 1783. The American War of Independence as it was also known as was the conflict between the 13 British colonies and the Kingdom of Great Britain. The war was fought entirely on the North American continent including a few battles at sea. The American Revolution was fought over the original Colonist's disagreement with British rule. In 1775 the revolutionists seized control of each of the 13 original colonial governments'. Almost immediately the second
In 1776 the Declaration of Independence sealed the deal and the United States of America was officially created the following year. This officially was declared a rebellion by the Kingdom of Great Britain and the war intensified into a full scale affair. The Colonial Militia was at a great disadvantage in the fight with one of the world's most powerful and experienced armies. What the ragtag Colonial Militia did was to become the very first army to utilize guerrilla warfare in battle.
With the assistance of the Volunteers from Tennessee and West Virginia as well as the Virginia sharpshooters the war suddenly turned towards the favor of the upstart rebels. With international help, mainly from France, the Continental Army was a well-supplied and hard fighting force to be reckoned with as the British would soon find out.
The British Navy ruled the open seas all the way from the start of the American Revolution until 1779. The reason why this year was a very important pivotal point in the American rebellion was for the entrance of the French naval forces into the conflict. With a French naval victory in the Chesapeake Bay Battle that ultimately led to the surrender of a British army at Yorktown in 1781, the British reign of sea-power had come to a sinking end. No longer were the Atlantic seaboard port cities of Maryland and Norfolk under blockade from the British Royal Fleet. This meant that more supplies could be funneled from the European allies to the American Colonists this option alone helped secure victory in the American Revolution.
The Treaty of Paris in 1783 Ended the War
The involvement of foreign allies especially with the naval balancing act and the increased supply chain from Europe proved decisive for the American Colonists during their victory in the American Revolutionary War. The Treaty of Paris in 1783 ended the war and recognized the sovereignty of the United States over the territory bounded by what is now Canada to the north, Florida to the south, and the Mississippi River to the west.
Logistics Nightmare for United Kingdom
The American Revolutionary War could be summed up as a logistics nightmare for the United Kingdom coupled with the loyalist dilemma in which all ruling nations have over rebellious colonies. Britain had too many fronts to fight battles upon and in the end victory was assured for the United States of America.
Related Teacher Resources That Are Worth A Look:
- American Revolutionary Facts
- AmericanRevolution.Org
- Prelude to Revolution Timeline
- Revolutionary War & Children's Lit.
- The History Place- American Revolution