American Revolutionary War
From Wikipedia, a free encyclopedia written in simple English for easy reading.
The American Revolutionary War was a war fought from 1775 to 1783 between Great Britain and the 13 British colonies in North America. The Continental Army, under George Washington, defeated the forces of the British Empire. As a result, the colonies gained independence and later formed the United States of America.
[edit] Causes
The war came after years of tensions between the British Empire and the colonies. Acts and taxes, such as the Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts), led to high tensions. Some skirmishes occured prior to the beginning of the war as well. The Boston Tea Party and Boston Massacre heightened tensions.
The colonists were split into two groups. The Loyalists, or Tories, wished to stay loyal to Britain and did not like revolution. The Patriots, or Whigs, favored independence.
There were some publications that led to the war. Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense, a pamphlet advocating the breaking away from Britian. Other firebrands, such as Samuel Adams, also wished for independence.
[edit] War
The first battle of the war was at Lexington and Concord. The turning point was considered at the Battle of Saratoga, when an American victory led to the French recognizing the United States. The final battle was at the Battle of Yorktown in 1781, when General Charles Cornwallis of the British surrendered to Washington. The French naval fleet helped trap the British.
[edit] Result
The Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783. Great Britain officially recognized the independence and also granted land to the colonies up to the Appalachians.
This short article needs someone to make it better.
You can help Wikipedia by adding to it.