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The American Revolution

After new taxes, violent retaliations, and growing colonial unity, the American Revolution broke out in April of 1775. The North American colonists were not favored to win against the strong British Empire; but as the war progressed, Washington and his army eventually found success. Use this page to learn more about the American Revolution through content pages, infographics, or the activity sheets below.

People of the Revolution

Washington may have led the Continental Army, but who was he fighting against? Click the link to learn more about the British and Continental officers that Washington interacted with throughout the war.

The War and its People

Spies of the Revolution

Washington and others relied on spies to find out information about the enemy. These spies were often put in dangerous positions but were crucial to the war effort.

Who goes there?

Allies of the Revolution

Did you know that France wasn't America's only ally? Spain helped, as well as countless indigenous peoples. Learn more about how the Continental Army defeated the British - and the people who helped them get there.

Continental Alliances

Interactive Timeline

Click the link to explore an interactive timeline on the Revolutionary War

To the Timeline

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25:05

Now Or Never: Yorktown Campaign of 1781 (Full Movie)

1,162,541 views • 5 years ago

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21:49

Washington's War (Full Movie) - General George Washington and the Revolutionary War

952,703 views • 4 years ago

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27:44

The Winter Patriots: A Revolutionary War Tale (Full Movie)

905,570 views • 8 years ago

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5:29

King George III and the American Revolution

517,382 views • 4 years ago

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6:46

How George Washington Became the ONLY 6-Star General

320,946 views • 5 years ago

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2:09

What Did Washington Think of King George III?

114,466 views • 5 years ago

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11:41

Revolutionary War Reenacting Part. 1

62,698 views • 6 years ago

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59:38

Ron Chernow: Hamilton and Washington (Full Length)

57,247 views • 7 years ago

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5:21

George Washington's Defeat in New York

47,838 views • 4 years ago

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5:56

Revolutionary War Reenacting Part. 2

45,559 views • 6 years ago

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6:54

Revolutionary War British Soldier Camp Life

31,052 views • 5 years ago

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2:14

Who was Benedict Arnold?

26,610 views • 5 years ago

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4:51

A DAY With BRITISH Revolutionary War Reenactors

25,918 views • 5 years ago

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6:01

The Siege of Boston 1775

21,444 views • 4 years ago

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5:38

The Crucial Revolutionary War Battles Of Princeton and Trenton

18,901 views • 4 years ago

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4:11

Did the Proclamation Line Start the American Revolution?

18,676 views • 5 years ago

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1:22

ULTIMATE Revolutionary War Battle Reenactment

16,237 views • 6 years ago

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6:18

George Washington, A Novice General

16,050 views • 4 years ago

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1:48

The Genius of George Washington During the Revolutionary War

15,253 views • 5 years ago

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2:07

Was the French navy stronger than the British navy in the Revolutionary War?

13,930 views • 5 years ago

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5:29

Rick Atkinson on Writing the American Revolution

12,095 views • 4 years ago

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7:04

A BLOODY History Of Revolutionary War Medicine

11,714 views • 5 years ago

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2:59

Would You Survive the French and Indian War?

10,880 views • 4 years ago

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1:40

Did George Washington Ever Kill Someone?

9,321 views • 4 years ago

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1:33

How Did Washington Feel About the Sons of Liberty?

9,302 views • 5 years ago

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1:13

The Leadership Style of George Washington

7,388 views • 5 years ago

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2:58

George Washington's role in the battle of the Chesapeake

6,191 views • 5 years ago

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1:24:45

Rick Atkinson author of The British Are Coming at Mount Vernon

4,146 views • 4 years ago

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22:31

Nathaniel Philbrick: In The Hurricane's Eye Full Interview

2,050 views • 5 years ago

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1:46

Naval warfare during the Revolutionary War

1,752 views • 5 years ago

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2:44

Nathaniel Philbrick on the role of water in the Revolutionary War

1,712 views • 5 years ago

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2:26

George Washington's relationship with the French Military

1,540 views • 5 years ago

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21:18

The Men Who Lost America

1,504 views • 7 years ago

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3:56

SportCentre: Revolutionary War Edition

1,369 views • 6 years ago

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8:41

Revolutionary War Weekend at Mount Vernon: Orchard Skirmish Reenactment

1,208 views • 7 years ago

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1:02

Nathaniel Philbrick: Summary of In The Hurricane's Eye

876 views • 5 years ago

See the playlist

Infographic - Shaping the American Revolution

Explore an infographic highlighting the people who experienced and shaped the American Revolution - major leaders, ordinary individuals, spies, and essential allies. Created by 2023 LifeGuard Teacher Fellows Shawnel Padilla and Trevor Bliss.

Primary Sources

Use these Primary Sources to learn about the American Revolution!

Secondary Sources

Use these Secondary Resources to learn more about the American Revolution!

Suggested Activities

These suggested activities were created by 2023 LifeGuard Teacher Fellows Shawnel Padilla and Trevor Bliss.

Elementary School Level Activities

Use this sheet for American Revolution ideas at the Elementary Level

Middle School Level Activities

Use this sheet for American Revolution ideas at the Middle School Level

High School Level Activity Sheets

Use this sheet for American Revolution ideas at the High School Level

Teaching the American Revolution

Are you a teacher looking for resources to teach about the American Revolution in your class? Look no further! Click the link to explore Activity Suggestions, helpful videos, and more!

Teach the Revolution

Back to Secondary Sources

Click the link to go back to the Secondary Sources Page

Secondary Sources