The American Revolutionary War for Kids: Learn About the Revolutionary War for Children - FreeSchool

Summary

The American Revolutionary War began as a conflict between Great Britain and its North American colonies over taxation without representation. Key events include the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, and the Intolerable Acts. The war started in 1775 at Lexington and Concord and escalated with George Washington leading the Continental Army. The turning point came with the Battle of Saratoga, leading to French support. The war ended in 1781 at Yorktown, and the United States was recognized as an independent nation with the Treaty of Paris in 1783. The Fourth of July commemorates the colonies' declaration of independence.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The American Revolutionary War began due to deteriorating relations between Great Britain and its North American colonies.
• 💵 Great Britain, in debt after the French and Indian War, attempted to tax the colonies to raise revenue, leading to unrest.
• 🗳️ The colonists objected to taxation without representation, viewing it as a form of tyranny.
• 🔫 The Boston Massacre in 1770 and the Boston Tea Party in 1773 were key events that escalated tensions.
• 📜 The Intolerable Acts were a series of punitive laws passed by the British Parliament in response to colonial resistance.
• 🌐 The first Continental Congress convened in 1774 to address the crisis, but their pleas to King George III were ignored.
• 🎯 The Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775 marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War.
• 🏆 George Washington was appointed commander of the Continental Army during the second Continental Congress.
• 🏞️ The Battle of Bunker Hill was a significant early engagement, showing the British that victory would be costly.
• 🌿 The Olive Branch Petition was a failed attempt by the colonists to negotiate peace with Britain.
• 📜 The Declaration of Independence, authored by Thomas Jefferson and others, was adopted on July 4, 1776, declaring the colonies' independence.
• ❄️ The harsh winter at Valley Forge tested the resolve of the American forces, but they persevered.
• 🎇 The surprise victory at the Battle of Trenton in 1776 boosted American morale and the war effort.
• 🏰 The Battle of Saratoga was a turning point, leading to French support and alliance with the United States.
• 🚢 The Siege of Yorktown in 1781 resulted in a decisive victory for American and French forces, effectively ending the war.
• 📜 The Treaty of Paris in 1783 officially recognized the United States as an independent nation and ended the war.
• 🎉 Independence Day is celebrated on July 4th in the United States to commemorate the Declaration of Independence.

Q & A

What was the relationship between Great Britain and its thirteen colonies in North America like in the late 1700s?

In the late 1700s, the relationship between Great Britain and its thirteen colonies in North America began to deteriorate, eventually leading to rebellion and the American Revolutionary War.

Why did Great Britain decide to tax the North American colonists after the French and Indian War?

Great Britain was in debt after the French and Indian War and sought to tax the North American colonists as a way to generate more revenue.

How did the colonists feel about being taxed by the British Parliament without representation?

The colonists were unhappy about the taxes and felt it was unfair since they had no representatives in Parliament to vote on their behalf. They considered 'taxation without representation' to be tyranny.

What significant event occurred in 1770 that heightened tensions between the colonists and the British?

In 1770, British soldiers opened fire on colonists in Boston, killing five men in an event known as the Boston Massacre.

What was the Boston Tea Party and why did it occur?

The Boston Tea Party was a protest in 1773 by colonists dressed as Native Americans who dumped a shipment of tea into Boston Harbor to oppose restrictions on the sale of tea in the colonies.

What were the Intolerable Acts and why were they passed by the British Parliament?

The Intolerable Acts were a series of laws passed by the British Parliament in response to the Boston Tea Party to punish the colonists and reassert control over the colonies.

What was the purpose of the first Continental Congress that met in Philadelphia in 1774?

The first Continental Congress aimed to address the grievances of the colonies and to request King George III to stop the Intolerable Acts.

Who was appointed as the commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War?

George Washington was appointed as the commander of the Continental Army by the Continental Congress.

What was the significance of the Battle of Bunker Hill in the American Revolutionary War?

Although the British won the Battle of Bunker Hill, the high number of casualties made them realize that defeating the colonists would be difficult.

What did the Olive Branch Petition attempt to achieve and what was King George III's response?

The Olive Branch Petition was an attempt by the colonists to make peace and have their rights recognized as British subjects. King George III refused to read it and declared the colonists to be in rebellion.

What event in 1776 marked the colonies' declaration of independence from Britain?

On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, which marked the colonies' declaration of independence from Britain.

How did the Battle of Trenton in 1776 impact the morale of the American forces?

The victory at the Battle of Trenton in 1776 inspired the American forces, boosting their morale and determination to continue fighting.

What was the role of France in supporting the American cause during the Revolutionary War?

France provided secret help to the Americans against Great Britain and later openly recognized the United States as an independent country, forming an alliance and sending aid in the form of money, material, and soldiers.

What challenges did the American forces face during the winter at Valley Forge?

At Valley Forge, the American forces suffered from cold, hunger, and lack of supplies, with many soldiers lacking proper footwear.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Yorktown and its significance in ending the Revolutionary War?

The British forces surrendered to George Washington at the Battle of Yorktown, marking a decisive victory for the Americans and the beginning of the end for the war.

When was the Treaty of Paris signed and what did it signify?

The Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3rd, 1783, officially ending the war and recognizing the United States of America as an independent nation.