The American Revolutionary War
Table Of Contents
Introduction……………………………………………………………………. Page 3
Chapter 1 What was the Revolution?…………………………………. Page 4
Chapter 2 Important People ………...………………………………….... Page 5
Chapter 3 Causes of the Revolution …………………………………… Page 11
Chapter 4 Battles of the Revolution……………………………………. Page 14
- Battle of Brookland…………………………………………………… Page 14
- Battle of Lexington…………………………………………………… Page 15
- Battle of Concord……………………………………………………… Page 15
- Battle of Bunker Hill…………………………………………………. Page 16
- Battle of Yorktown.……………………………………………………. Page 16
Chapter 5 Easton (North Fairfield) In the Revolution…………. Page 17
Chapter 6 How Women Played A Role……………………………..... Page 18
Chapter 7 How Native Americans Played A Role……………… Page 20
Conclusion and Sources.…………………………………………………… Page 22
Introduction
|
“Perseverance and Spirit have done wonders in all ages.” this was said by
President George Washington during the Revolution. The American
Revolution is one of the biggest wars in history. From the people that
were in it, to the causes, the battles, and how women and Native
Americans played a role. The Revolution, from 1775 to 1783, is the most
important war in American history.
President George Washington during the Revolution. The American
Revolution is one of the biggest wars in history. From the people that
were in it, to the causes, the battles, and how women and Native
Americans played a role. The Revolution, from 1775 to 1783, is the most
important war in American history.
Chapter 1
What Was the Revolution?
|
The Revolution was a war between the Patriots and the King of England
and his Loyalist supporters in America. The Americans claimed their
independence in 1776 but the war lasted another 5 years because it took
that long for the Americans to have freedom from the British. This was
the case because the Americans said they had freedom, but the British
didn’t accept it and wanted to keep fighting. Men from the age of 16 to
60 were seen fighting for the militia or the American Army.
and his Loyalist supporters in America. The Americans claimed their
independence in 1776 but the war lasted another 5 years because it took
that long for the Americans to have freedom from the British. This was
the case because the Americans said they had freedom, but the British
didn’t accept it and wanted to keep fighting. Men from the age of 16 to
60 were seen fighting for the militia or the American Army.
Chapter 2
Important People
|
There were many very important people during the Revolution.
There were many patriots and loyalists but I will only mention a
few.
There were many patriots and loyalists but I will only mention a
few.
Benedict Arnold is one of the most famous traitors in history. He
was born on January 14, 1741, in Norwich Connecticut. His mom
was born into a wealthy family, but his father squandered their
estate. He was a war general for the American Continental Army.
During one of the battles, he was shot in the leg, the first of many
times, and his horse was also shot. But, he was carried off the field
as a hero. Years later he became a spy. After the battle of Fort
Ticonderoga, Arnold was told that Ethan Allen was now in charge.
Hearing this made Arnold furious, he felt that he wasn't getting
respected for all that he had done. So one day, to get revenge, he
started writing letters to British army officer Major John André
about where the American troops were and the location of their
weapons. One night, he gave the officer plans so that the British
could take over West Point. He gave the base to the enemy! Legend
has it, that right before he died he wanted to wear his old American
Military uniform. He did this in hopes that God would forgive him
for ever putting on a uniform against America.
While Benedict Arnold was a traitor, Sam Adams, John Adams along
with John Hancock, were all patriots.
with John Hancock, were all patriots.
Sam Adams owned slaves and did not like to do what was normal
and expected. He was born on September 27th 1722 in Boston. He
was the son of a Boston merchant and brewer. His father's name
was Samuel Adams Sr. and his mothers name was Mary. He was the
cousin of our second president John Adams. His parents always
hoped that Sam would pursue a life in the church, but they were
very wrong. His father, on the other hand, was a rising influential
politician. That caught Sam’s attention. After attending
Harvard University, Sam took on many jobs including, at a bank,
working at his family malthouse, and a local newspaper. During
the Revolution, Sam helped draft the Articles of Confederation, in
which he reflected on his fears of a centrally controlled federal
government. Later in the war, Sam aligned himself with the Whig
Party instead of the Federalist party lead by John Adams. He
died on October 2 1803 at 81 years old
George Washington was our first president but also a war general for the
Patriots. Some people might not know, but Washington grew up on a
plantation in Westmoreland County, in the colony of Virginia. He was born
on February 22 1732. His parents were Augustine and Mary Washington.
Washington father died when he was just 11 years old. After that he
helped his mother manage the plantation. After his schooling he became a
Rebel war general. He was one of the best generals in the army. In 1789 he
became the first American President. I think that if I were Washington I
would feel proud to have been wanted by the people of the United States.
But also a bit nervous because I wouldn’t want to mess up. Then sadly on
December 14th 1799 he died at the age of 67.
Patriots. Some people might not know, but Washington grew up on a
plantation in Westmoreland County, in the colony of Virginia. He was born
on February 22 1732. His parents were Augustine and Mary Washington.
Washington father died when he was just 11 years old. After that he
helped his mother manage the plantation. After his schooling he became a
Rebel war general. He was one of the best generals in the army. In 1789 he
became the first American President. I think that if I were Washington I
would feel proud to have been wanted by the people of the United States.
But also a bit nervous because I wouldn’t want to mess up. Then sadly on
December 14th 1799 he died at the age of 67.
John Hancock was known for writing his name very big on the
Declaration of Independence. He did that because the king couldn’t
see well and he wanted the king to not need glasses to see it. He
was born on January 23 1737 in Braintree (present-day Quincy),
Massachusetts. His father died when he was a boy and John was
raised by his aunt and uncle (Thomas Hancock). His uncle was a
rich merchant, they lived in his Boston mansion. In 1765,
John entered the world of politics. He was also elected Boston
selectmen. Hancock came into direct contact with the British in
1768, when his merchant ship, The Liberty, was seized at Boston
Harbor by British customs. They said that he unloaded cargo
without paying the required taxes. In 1774, he was elected
president of Boston Providental Congress. The Congress declared
themselves autonomous government. Hancock’s revolutionary
activities made him a target for the British. In 1775 he and Sam
Adams avoided arrest in Lexington, Massachusetts. After the war,
in 1783 Hancock died at the age of 56. But even today people still
remember him by saying, “ Can I have your John Hancock?” Which
means can I have you signature.
John Adams, our second American President, was born on
October 30, 1739, in Braintree (present day Quincy)
Massachusetts. He was the oldest of John and Susanna Adams’
three sons. Adams father was a farmer and shoemaker and also
served as a Congregationalist deacon for a local government.
Adams graduated from Harvard in 1755, then, he then taught
school for several years and studied law with an attorney in
Worcester, Massachusetts. He started his law career in 1758 and
became one of Boston’s most prominent attorneys. In 1774,
Adams attended the first Continental Congress in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania as a Massachusetts delegate. He took office in
March 1797. I think that if I were him I would want to be as good a
president as Washington. He was president from 1797 to 1800.
Then in 1818 his wife Abigail Adams died,but John lived long
enough to see his son, John Quincy Adams, become the sixth
president of the United States. This must have made John really
happy because he knew that his son might carry on his work that
he stared years ago. On July 4th 1826, Americas 50th anniversary,
Adams uttered his last words,“ Thomas Jefferson still survives” then he
died the next day. What he did not know was that earlier that morning
Jefferson, too, had died.
died the next day. What he did not know was that earlier that morning
Jefferson, too, had died.
Chapter 3
Causes of the Revolution
|
that led to the war.
The French and Indian War
You might not think that a war could start another war, but it did.
It was between the American colonists and the French that settled
in Canada. It was from 1754 to 1763. The war was about who
would own the land in the mid U.S. Both sides had allied with some
Native American tribes. British troops not only helped the colonists
fight the war but they also were in the colonies for protection after
the war. The troops weren’t free and Britain needed money to pay
for the troops. So the British taxed the colonists to pay for the
troops.
It was between the American colonists and the French that settled
in Canada. It was from 1754 to 1763. The war was about who
would own the land in the mid U.S. Both sides had allied with some
Native American tribes. British troops not only helped the colonists
fight the war but they also were in the colonies for protection after
the war. The troops weren’t free and Britain needed money to pay
for the troops. So the British taxed the colonists to pay for the
troops.
The Boston Massacre
Some people consider the Boston Massacre as a battle but I think
of it as a cause. It was on March, 5 1770. Tensions ran high in
Boston. The colonists were angry that the soldier were living in
their towns and cities. As time went on, the relationship of the
soldier and the colonists became worse, things were especially
tense in Boston. The anger was forced out on the British, by the
colonists making fun of their red coats. They got called
Lobsterbacks. On March 5, 1770 the feeling in Boston erupted in
violence. It was a very cold and soldiers were standing guard in
front of the Customs House. A Customs House is where the taxes
are collected. Sometime before nine o’clock, people began to gather.
They were calling soldiers names. Some people threw stones and
snowballs. Some other soldiers and their captain went to the
guards side, loading their guns and stood in front of the angry
crowd. The crowd insulted the soldiers and threw more stones and
snowballs. No one knew what happened next, but some people said
that the captain told the men not to fire their guns. But one of the
men heard the command “Fire” and shot his gun. Within five
minutes five or six people lay on the ground dead.
of it as a cause. It was on March, 5 1770. Tensions ran high in
Boston. The colonists were angry that the soldier were living in
their towns and cities. As time went on, the relationship of the
soldier and the colonists became worse, things were especially
tense in Boston. The anger was forced out on the British, by the
colonists making fun of their red coats. They got called
Lobsterbacks. On March 5, 1770 the feeling in Boston erupted in
violence. It was a very cold and soldiers were standing guard in
front of the Customs House. A Customs House is where the taxes
are collected. Sometime before nine o’clock, people began to gather.
They were calling soldiers names. Some people threw stones and
snowballs. Some other soldiers and their captain went to the
guards side, loading their guns and stood in front of the angry
crowd. The crowd insulted the soldiers and threw more stones and
snowballs. No one knew what happened next, but some people said
that the captain told the men not to fire their guns. But one of the
men heard the command “Fire” and shot his gun. Within five
minutes five or six people lay on the ground dead.
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was caused by the Tea Act which forced the
colonies to buy British tea. That must have made the colonists
furious because the British had put other taxes on them before like
the Stamp Act. The Stamp Act is a tax put on the colonists to make
them pay more for thing like newspapers. As a result of the Tea Act
some of the colonists were disguised as Native Americans and
threw tea into the Boston Harbor, 90,000 pounds to be exact.
colonies to buy British tea. That must have made the colonists
furious because the British had put other taxes on them before like
the Stamp Act. The Stamp Act is a tax put on the colonists to make
them pay more for thing like newspapers. As a result of the Tea Act
some of the colonists were disguised as Native Americans and
threw tea into the Boston Harbor, 90,000 pounds to be exact.
Chapter 4
Battles Of The Revolution
|
The Battle of Brooklyn
The battle of Brooklyn was the first major battle of the Revolution.
I think that New York is not wise place to have a battle because of
its dense population. During the war Washington learned a good
lesson; that war would be hard, long and bloody. Throughout that
summer of that year, Washington must have been nervous because
he realized that he had been outnumbered by the British. Shortly
after starting the battle, the British successfully corned 9,000 of
Washington’s soldiers in Brooklyn Heights. I think that hearing that
news made Washington outraged, but he didn’t surrender.
He made a decision that was good for both the Continental Army
and the Patriots sake. He decided to evacuate and retreat to
Manhattan. After the battle the British took over New York for
the remainder of the war till 1783.
I think that New York is not wise place to have a battle because of
its dense population. During the war Washington learned a good
lesson; that war would be hard, long and bloody. Throughout that
summer of that year, Washington must have been nervous because
he realized that he had been outnumbered by the British. Shortly
after starting the battle, the British successfully corned 9,000 of
Washington’s soldiers in Brooklyn Heights. I think that hearing that
news made Washington outraged, but he didn’t surrender.
He made a decision that was good for both the Continental Army
and the Patriots sake. He decided to evacuate and retreat to
Manhattan. After the battle the British took over New York for
the remainder of the war till 1783.
The Battle Of Lexington, Concord and, Bunker Hill
The battles of Lexington and Concord both started on April 19th 1775.
In Lexington at around 5:00 am, Major Pitcairn lead the patriots into
Lexington. When the Patriots got there someone from the British side
yelled,”Throw down your arm, Ye villains , Ye rebels” The British heavily
outnumbered the militia. In Concord, the British were searching for
arms, or weapons, not knowing that most had been relocated. After
searching Concord for hours, they decided to head back to Boston, some
18 miles away, but little did they know that about 2,000 minutemen had
moved to that area. The minutemen started shooting at the British from
behind trees. Then the British dismounted their horses left their
weapons to retreat faster. Back at Lexington, unlike the battle of Concord
no one knows which side shot first. The battles of Lexington and
Concord were both won by the Patriots.
In Lexington at around 5:00 am, Major Pitcairn lead the patriots into
Lexington. When the Patriots got there someone from the British side
yelled,”Throw down your arm, Ye villains , Ye rebels” The British heavily
outnumbered the militia. In Concord, the British were searching for
arms, or weapons, not knowing that most had been relocated. After
searching Concord for hours, they decided to head back to Boston, some
18 miles away, but little did they know that about 2,000 minutemen had
moved to that area. The minutemen started shooting at the British from
behind trees. Then the British dismounted their horses left their
weapons to retreat faster. Back at Lexington, unlike the battle of Concord
no one knows which side shot first. The battles of Lexington and
Concord were both won by the Patriots.
In addition, the battle of Bunker Hill started on June 17 1775.
Unlike the battles of Lexington and Concord the Patriots lost. But
similar to the other battles the Patriots were outnumbered yet
again. Numerically, the American were always outnumbered.
Strategically they had to conserve their guns, soldiers and , bullets.
They were always on defense and had to conserve whatever they
had. Despite their loss at the Battle Of Bunker Hill, the patriots
were able to kill or wounded 1,000 British soldiers.
Unlike the battles of Lexington and Concord the Patriots lost. But
similar to the other battles the Patriots were outnumbered yet
again. Numerically, the American were always outnumbered.
Strategically they had to conserve their guns, soldiers and , bullets.
They were always on defense and had to conserve whatever they
had. Despite their loss at the Battle Of Bunker Hill, the patriots
were able to kill or wounded 1,000 British soldiers.
The Battle of Yorktown
In the Fall of 1781, with the help of French and Colonial armies. The
Patriots were now able to win the war. I think that the British were
surprised or overwhelmed by the number of soldiers who were there.
On October 14 the Americans had finally won their independence from
Britain!
Patriots were now able to win the war. I think that the British were
surprised or overwhelmed by the number of soldiers who were there.
On October 14 the Americans had finally won their independence from
Britain!
Chapter 5
Easton (North Fairfield) in the Revolution
|
You might not think that Easton would be a recognizable part of the
Revolution, but it was. You might not know that the road Cross Highway
was where the British troops marched down during the Revolution. Also
the British troops used to camp out near the Easton border on
Catamount Road. They might have spent days looking for people or
weapons because even now Easton and Redding aren’t very big town but
back then they were even less crowded and fewer houses and houses
were father apart and smaller. Also since there weren’t really many
roads, there were more forest and trees. In Easton, it was a mostly
Loyalist town and not many Patriots. Actually most of the Loyalists that
lived in the New England colonies lived in Connecticut. Hopefully from
reading this chapter you have learned more about Connecticut's history
then you did before.
Revolution, but it was. You might not know that the road Cross Highway
was where the British troops marched down during the Revolution. Also
the British troops used to camp out near the Easton border on
Catamount Road. They might have spent days looking for people or
weapons because even now Easton and Redding aren’t very big town but
back then they were even less crowded and fewer houses and houses
were father apart and smaller. Also since there weren’t really many
roads, there were more forest and trees. In Easton, it was a mostly
Loyalist town and not many Patriots. Actually most of the Loyalists that
lived in the New England colonies lived in Connecticut. Hopefully from
reading this chapter you have learned more about Connecticut's history
then you did before.
Chapter 6
How Women Played A Role
|
During the Revolution, not only did men help free our country but
women helped too! People may not know that women are the ones
who cooked, cleaned, and healed the sick and wounded, sewed the
uniforms, and stayed at home and took care of the children. This
was significant in helping to win our country's freedom.
women helped too! People may not know that women are the ones
who cooked, cleaned, and healed the sick and wounded, sewed the
uniforms, and stayed at home and took care of the children. This
was significant in helping to win our country's freedom.
Women at that time were a group of people who didn’t get recognized
equally by society. But that didn’t stop them from helping. They
knew that they had to keep working even if no one thanked them
for it because it was helping their side win. Some women also took
over their husband’s or father's business. Some women took it a
step too far and disguised themselves as men to fight. In my
opinion, I think that they made a ignorant choice to join the war
because they risk their children becoming orphans. Women could
risk their own lives and die in war.
Chapter 7
How Native Americans Play a Role
|
You might think that the Native Americans would fight alongside
the Americans, but actually they fought alongside the British Army
because they thought that Americans were more dangerous than
the British. In the late 1700s, most Native Americans didn’t want
to join the fight. I think that this is pretty shocking because the
Native Americans’ home was being threatened and if I were them,
I would want to fight to protect my home. But eventually it ended
up being impossible for the Native Americans not to pick a side
anymore. In 1783, in the Peace of Paris agreement, the Native
Americans were not included in the agreement. To hear this made
the tribes furious that the British would give away their land. The
Americans had a big question to answer. How could they claim to
deal honorably with the Native Americans at the same time as they
would build their nation on Native American land? It was a hard
question to answer but they decided that they would take the
Native Americans land, and in return they would give the “savages”
civilization that was honorable enough. For the Native Americans
the Revolution was an attack on their land and way of life and they
fought back as best they could while also trying to preserve Native
American life in the country to destroy it.
the Americans, but actually they fought alongside the British Army
because they thought that Americans were more dangerous than
the British. In the late 1700s, most Native Americans didn’t want
to join the fight. I think that this is pretty shocking because the
Native Americans’ home was being threatened and if I were them,
I would want to fight to protect my home. But eventually it ended
up being impossible for the Native Americans not to pick a side
anymore. In 1783, in the Peace of Paris agreement, the Native
Americans were not included in the agreement. To hear this made
the tribes furious that the British would give away their land. The
Americans had a big question to answer. How could they claim to
deal honorably with the Native Americans at the same time as they
would build their nation on Native American land? It was a hard
question to answer but they decided that they would take the
Native Americans land, and in return they would give the “savages”
civilization that was honorable enough. For the Native Americans
the Revolution was an attack on their land and way of life and they
fought back as best they could while also trying to preserve Native
American life in the country to destroy it.
Conclusion and Sources
|
Overall, I think that the Revolution was a very fascinating subject,
even though it was very long and took a great deal of research. I
hope reading this inspires you to create your own view on the
Revolution. One last thing to think to think about is, now that
you've read all about it. If you lived at the time of the Revolution,
what side would you be on, Patriots or Loyalists?
even though it was very long and took a great deal of research. I
hope reading this inspires you to create your own view on the
Revolution. One last thing to think to think about is, now that
you've read all about it. If you lived at the time of the Revolution,
what side would you be on, Patriots or Loyalists?
Sources
Fight For Freedom: by Daniel Rosen
Benedict Arnold: Hero or Enemy Spy: by Aaron Derr
They Made a Revolution 1776: by Jules Archer
Why Don’t You Get a House Sam Adams:by Jean Fritz
History Alive: America Past
Amazing Americans George Washington: by Vivian Bernstein
Easton It’s History: by Helen Partridge
American Revolution: The Indians War For Independence by
Colin G. Calloway
The Battle of Brooklyn in the American Revolution: by Newsella
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