American Revolution: Causes and Timeline

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The Revolutionary War waged by the American colonies against Britain influenced political ideas and revolutions around the globe, as a small fledgling nation won its freedom from the greatest military force of its time.

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Revolutionary War

The Revolutionary War (1775-1783) arose from growing tensions between residents of Great Britain’s 13 North American colonies and the colonial government. The American colonists, led by General George Washington, won political independence and eventually formed the United States of America.

Battles of Lexington and Concord

Lead-Up to the Battles of Lexington and Concord Starting in 1764, Great Britain enacted a series of measures aimed at raising revenue from its 13 American colonies. Many of those measures, including the Sugar Act, Stamp Act and Townshend Acts, generated fierce resentment among the colonists, who protested against “taxation without representation.” Boston, the site […]

American Revolution: Causes and Timeline | HISTORY (5)

Dunmore’s Proclamation

Loyalist Governor Sought to Expand His Troops The proclamation was months in the making, as Dunmore was in a vulnerable position as throngs of rebels filled the Virginia capital of Williamsburg, prompting the loyalist governor to depart for Norfolk. Worsening matters for him was that many of his forces had deserted him, leaving him with […]

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Continental Congress

Britain and the Imperial Crises Throughout most of colonial history, the British Crown was the only political institution that united the American colonies. The Imperial Crises of the 1760s and 1770s, found England saddled with crippling debt, incurred in large part by wars such as the French and Indian War. The British government responded by […]

American Revolution History

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American Revolution: Causes and Timeline | HISTORY (7)

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Global Impact of the American Revolution

The American Revolution influenced political ideals and revolutions across the globe.

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American Revolution History

Did you know that Paul Revere didn’t ride alone, and there were women on the Revolutionary War battlefields? Find out more about the war’s lesser-known patriots.

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American Revolution: Causes and Timeline | HISTORY (9)

1:42 minTV-14

Boston Massacre Sparks a Revolution

The shooting of several men by British soldiers in 1770 inflames passions in the colonies.

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American Revolution: Causes and Timeline | HISTORY (10)

3:41 minTV-PG

Tea Act

The Tea Act of 1773, an act of Great Britain’s Parliament, was the catalyst for some of the most important moments of the lead-up to the Revolutionary War.

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American Revolution: Causes and Timeline | HISTORY (15)

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American Revolution: Causes and Timeline | HISTORY (2024)

Topics

Revolutionary War

Battles of Lexington and Concord

Dunmore’s Proclamation

Continental Congress

Videos

Global Impact of the American Revolution

American Revolution History

Boston Massacre Sparks a Revolution

Tea Act

Stories

7 Events That Enraged Colonists and Led to the American Revolution

The Declaration of Independence Was Also a List of Grievances

7 Hard-Fought Battles That Helped Win the American Revolution

7 Surprising Facts About the Boston Tea Party

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“Swamp Fox” routs Loyalists while Gates’ men fall ill