American Revolution

The American Revolution marks a defining moment in U.S. history, as the thirteen colonies challenged British rule and fought for independence. This era includes the growing tension over taxation and representation, the build-up of colonial resistance, and the outbreak of war at Lexington and Concord. Students explore how ideas about natural rights, consent of the governed, and republican government influenced colonial leaders and everyday people.

Studying the American Revolution helps students analyze key events such as the Stamp Act crisis, Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, First and Second Continental Congress, and major battles like Saratoga and Yorktown. It also raises important questions about who benefited from independence and how groups such as women, enslaved people, Native Americans, and loyalists experienced the conflict. The Declaration of Independence, military strategy, foreign alliances, and the Articles of Confederation all play important roles in understanding the outcomes of the war.

The resources on this page support lessons on causes of the Revolution, major battles, founding documents, leadership, and the legacy of the war. Teachers can use these materials for lectures, DBQs, primary source analysis, projects, simulations, and assessments aligned to middle and high school U.S. History standards.