American Revolutionary War
Independence conflict, 1770s
The American Revolutionary War was the military conflict (1775–1783) in which thirteen British colonies in North America won independence and formed the United States.
Colonial militias and the Continental Army, aided by France, defeated British forces.
The war followed growing tensions over taxation and self-governance: My ancestor fought in the American Revolutionary War.
Colonial rebel military force
- militiaNon-professional armed force
- minutemenInstant-ready colonial militia
- musketMuzzle-loaded infantry firearm
- flintlockFlint-sparked firearm mechanism
bayonet · artillery · cavalry · infantry · dragoons · regiment · battalion · enlistment
First armed colonial conflict
- Bunker Hill1775 Massachusetts engagement
- SaratogaNew York battle site
- YorktownVirginia siege site
- TrentonNew Jersey's capital city
Princeton · Brandywine · Monmouth · Charleston · Long Island · Valley Forge · siege · skirmish
British North American territories
- Continental CongressColonial era legislature
- colonistsSettlers in new territory
- British EmpireVast colonial domain
- New EnglandNortheast U.S. region
Virginia · Massachusetts · Pennsylvania · New York · Maryland · Jamestown · Plymouth · charter
- Thomas JeffersonThird American president
- Benjamin FranklinColonial American polymath statesman
- John AdamsSecond American chief executive
- Alexander HamiltonFounding father, financial architect
Patrick Henry · Paul Revere · Samuel Adams · John Hancock · Marquis de Lafayette · Benedict Arnold · King George III · Thomas Paine
Governing principles document
- Founding FathersRevolutionary-era American statesmen
- Federalist PapersFounding-era persuasive essays
- Bill of RightsInitial constitutional amendments guaranteeing freedoms
- Articles of ConfederationOriginal American governing charter
Constitutional Convention · Treaty of Paris · republicanism · federalism · checks and balances · separation of powers · Philadelphia
America's founding proclamation
- libertyAbsence of unjust constraint
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
- unalienable rightsFreedoms impossible to surrender
consent of the governed · natural rights · republicanism · self-rule · separation · autonomy · nationhood · July Fourth
Era prioritizing reason over dogma
- libertyAbsence of unjust constraint
- natural rightsFreedoms inherent to personhood
- social contractAgreement exchanging freedom for order
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
rebellion · Common Sense · pamphlets · propaganda · republicanism · civic virtue · dissent · resistance
Continental Army
Colonial rebel military force
- militiaNon-professional armed force
- minutemenInstant-ready colonial militia
- musketMuzzle-loaded infantry firearm
flintlock · bayonet · artillery · cavalry · infantry · dragoons · regiment · battalion · enlistment · muster
Lexington and Concord
First armed colonial conflict
- Bunker Hill1775 Massachusetts engagement
- SaratogaNew York battle site
- YorktownVirginia siege site
Trenton · Princeton · Brandywine · Monmouth · Charleston · Long Island · Valley Forge · siege · skirmish · cannonade
Thirteen Colonies
British North American territories
- Continental CongressColonial era legislature
- colonistsSettlers in new territory
- British EmpireVast colonial domain
New England · Virginia · Massachusetts · Pennsylvania · New York · Maryland · Jamestown · Plymouth · charter · royal governor
George Washington
- Thomas JeffersonThird American president
- Benjamin FranklinColonial American polymath statesman
- John AdamsSecond American chief executive
Alexander Hamilton · Patrick Henry · Paul Revere · Samuel Adams · John Hancock · Marquis de Lafayette · Benedict Arnold · King George III · Thomas Paine · Abigail Adams
Constitution
Governing principles document
- Founding FathersRevolutionary-era American statesmen
- Federalist PapersFounding-era persuasive essays
- Bill of RightsInitial constitutional amendments guaranteeing freedoms
Articles of Confederation · Constitutional Convention · Treaty of Paris · republicanism · federalism · checks and balances · separation of powers · Philadelphia
Declaration of Independence
America's founding proclamation
- libertyAbsence of unjust constraint
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
unalienable rights · consent of the governed · natural rights · republicanism · self-rule · separation · autonomy · nationhood · July Fourth
Enlightenment
Era prioritizing reason over dogma
- libertyAbsence of unjust constraint
- natural rightsFreedoms inherent to personhood
- social contractAgreement exchanging freedom for order
tyranny · rebellion · Common Sense · pamphlets · propaganda · republicanism · civic virtue · dissent · resistance · protest
American Revolutionary WarJacobite risings
Armed attempts restoring deposed monarchy
American Revolutionary WarSeven Years' War
1756-1763 global military conflict
American, America, Americas, revolution, revolutionary, revolutionaries, revolve, revolved, revolving