American War of Independence (American Revolution) 1775-1783

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AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE
1775 - 1783

The American War of Independence, also called the American Revolution, or the American Revolutionary War, was fought from 1775 until 1783.

Thirteen mainland colonies of British North America declared their independence on July 4, 1776, to form the United States of America.

The War of Independence started as a civil war but soon became an international war when France, Spain, and the Netherlands joined the colonies against Britain.

Map of the Principal Campaigns of the American Revolution

MAJOR ISSUES OF THE WAR
During the French and Indian Wars, Britain had spent quite some money for the colonies’ defense and attempted to get repayment.

The colonies argued that Britain would have the right to impose taxes, so long as the colonies were represented in Parliament; therefore, taxation without representation was unacceptable. The tone became sharper on both sides and a boycott of British goods was discussed in the colonies.

Unrest increased as colonial radicals purposely fueled the dispute to break with Britain. They argued that the Empire generally handled political and economical issues detrimental to their interest. The Boston Massacre in 1770 and the Boston Tea Party in 1773 were an indicator of the growing tension.

American Colonies: Population Density 1775

WHAT STARTED THE REVOLUTION?
The Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, were the beginning of the American Revolution.

To avoid armed rebellion, a British force came to seize colonists’ weapons at Concord, a town near Boston. The colonists had been forewarned and intercepted the British at Lexington Green. Shots were exchanged, and some Americans were killed.

Arriving at Concord, the British were confronted and outnumbered by the colonial militia and had to withdraw to Boston while being attacked on all sides.

Number of casualties in the battles of Lexington and Concord:
British: 73 killed, 174 wounded, 26 missing
American: 93 dead, wounded, or missing (some say 95)

The Americans were ready to drive the British out of Boston and started the Siege of Boston.

Map of the Battle of Lexington and Concord
April 19, 1775

WHAT ENDED THE REVOLUTION?
The last major battle took place on October 19, 1781. It ended with the surrender of British General Corwallis at Yorktown, Virginia. However, for all parties to negotiate acceptable terms required some time.

Battle of Guilford Court House, 1781

The American Revolution officially ended with the Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783. Great Britain acknowledged the independence of the United States, with the Mississippi River as the western boundary. Navigation on the river remained open to both nations.

The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis
at Yorktown, Virginia, October 19, 1781.

CASUALTIES
Estimates differ. Some historians say that the Revolution claimed a total of 25,000 lives. Others estimate American losses at 4,400, British losses 6,800, and German losses at 1,200.

IMPACT ON HUMANKIND
The American Revolution caused many Europeans to reassess their own government. The idea that a country actually could decide upon its government was exciting and appealed especially to those in lower social classes.

TRIVIA
To remedy a lack of troops, the British hired the services of approximately 30,000 German mercenary soldiers. The majority of the Germans came from the German state Hesse-Cassel; thus they became known as the Hessians.

And here is a map of the campaigns of the American Revolution:

AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Click on map to enlarge

BATTLES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

1775, April 19	Battles of Lexington and Concord, American victory Map of the Battle of Lexington and Concord
1775, April 20 - 1776, March 17	Siege of Boston, American victory Map of the Siege of Boston
1775, June 17	Battle of Bunker Hill, Massachusetts, British victory (also called Battle of Breed's Hill) Map of the Battle of Bunker Hill Battle of Bunker Hill - First British Attack Bunker Hill - Second British Attack Battle of Bunker Hill - Final British Attack
1775, December 31	Battle of Quebec
1776, February 27	Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge, North Carolina, American victory
1776, August 27	Battle of Long Island, New York, British victory Map of the Battle of Long Island
1776, September 16	Battle of Harlem Heights, New York, American victory Map of the Battle of Harlem Heights
1776, October 11	Battle of Valcour Island, New York, Draw Map of the Battle of Valcour Island
1776, October 28	Battle of White Plains, New York, Draw
1776, November 16	Battle of Fort Washington, New York, British victory
1776, December 26	Battle of Trenton, New Jersey, American victory Map of the Christmas Campaign Map of the Battle of Trenton
1777, January 3	Battle of Princeton, New Jersey, American victory Map of the Battle of Princeton
1777, June 21 - October 17	Saratoga Campaign Saratoga Campaign 1777
1777, July 6	Battle of Ticonderoga, northeastern New York, capture of Fort Ticonderoga by the British Map of the Battle of Ticonderoga
1777, September 11	Battle of the Brandywine, Brandywine Creek, Pennsylvania, British victory Map of the Battle of the Brandywine Map 2 of the Battle of the Brandywine
1777, September 19	First Battle of Saratoga, also called: First Battle of Freeman's Farm, New York, American victory Map of the First Battle of Saratoga - Operations September 17-19, 1777 First Battle of Saratoga - Initial Dispositions First Battle of Saratoga: Battle Situation at 1300 Hours First Battle of Saratoga: Battle Situation at 1500 Hours First Battle of Saratoga: Battle Situation at 1700 Hours
1777, October 4	Battle of Germantown, Pennsylvania, British victory Map of the Battle of Germantown
1777, October 6	Battles of Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton, west side of the Hudson River, British attack and victory led by General Henry Clinton Map of the Battles of Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton: Prelude Map of the Battles of Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton
1777, October 7	Second Battle of Saratoga also called Second Battle of Freeman's Farm or the Battle of Bemis Heights, New York, American victory Map of the Second Battle of Saratoga: Initial Dispositions Map of the Second Battle of Saratoga Burgoyne's Camp - October 11-17, 1777
1778, June 28	Battle of Monmouth, also called Battle of Monmouth Court House, Monmouth, New Jersey, Draw Map of the Battle of Monmouth
1779, July 16	Battle of Stony Point, Stony Point, New York, American victory Map of the Battle of Stony Point Map of the Battle of Stony Point: Attack
1780, April 1-May 12	Siege of Charleston, South Carolina 1780 Siege of Charleston
1780, August 16	Battle of Camden, South Carolina, British victory Map of the Battle of Camden
1780, October 7	Battle of Kings Mountain, South Carolina, American victory
1781, January 17	Battle of Cowpens, South Carolina, American victory Map of the Battle of Cowpens Battle of Cowpens: British Attack Battle of Cowpens: American Counterattack
1781, March 15	Battle of Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina, British victory Battle of Guilford Courthouse
1781, September 5	Battle of Virginia Capes, near Chesapeake Bay, naval battle, American (French) victory
1781, September 8	Battle of Eutaw Springs, South Carolina Map of the Battle of Eutaw Springs
1781, September 28 - October 19	Siege of Yorktown, Virginia, American victory March to Yorktown, August-September 1781 Siege of Yorktown