KidZone History: USA

The American Revolutionary War or War of Independence was the fighting that took place between American, French and British soldiers to establish American independence from British rule. The lead up to the war was complex and centered around three main issues: rising taxes, police brutality and a reassertion of imperial rule.

Colonial delegates denounced the tax increases and declared rights for every American citizen. A year later in 1775, delegates including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, created the continental army. Battles began the same year and American forces struggled to begin with, however captured artillery helped to begin to turn the tide. Due to this, British forces retreated to Canada to prepare for a major invasion.

Determined to quash the American revolution, Britain sent 34,000 troops and continental (American) forces had to retreat. With the help of surprise attacks, continental forces were able to regroup. From this, successes meant that French forces officially joined the war on the side of the Americans. From this, the war fell into a stalemate in the Northern half of the country.

In the South, despite mutinies, the United States continental forces began to make headway. This culminated in British forces being surrounded on the Yorktown peninsula. The combined might of the American army and French navy forced a surrender in 1781. While this marked the unofficial end of the war, large British armies still remained in the North of the country. Finally, in 1783, British forces finally retrated and Britain formally recognised the independence of the United States of America.