Shiloh Hills Elementary Library: American Revolution

The 13 American Colonies had many reasons to begin the Revolutionary War. From the Boston Tea Party to the Intolerable Acts, they felt it was time for independence. Read more about the conflict between the colonists and Great Britain and the events that led up to the American Revolution - 30 minutes.

George Washington, Paul Revere, and Thomas Jefferson are remembered as heroes of the American Revolution, but they were only a few of many men and women who risked their lives for independence. Read more about the heroes, both American and European, who were key to the colonists’ success in the American Revolution. - 28 minutes long.

Men may have fought the battles of the American Revolution, but women played an important part too. Some women fought the battle at home, speaking their minds about the British occupation or gathering supplies for their soldiers. Others fought openly for their cause, secretly joining the military or becoming spies. Get to know these heroic women and their importance to the colonists' victory during the Revolutionary War - 30 minutes long.

On April 18, 1775, the “shot heard ‘round the world” was fired. The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first of many battles between the 13 colonies and Great Britain. The two countries would be at war for the next eight years. Read more about the key battles that shaped the American Revolution - 28 min.

Step back in time and experience the Revolutionary War through the stories of the people who lived through it. Witness the first reading of the Declaration of Independence. Experience the horror of a sneak attack. Watch a mother risk her life by spying for the colonists. True Stories of the Revolutionary War doesn’t just tell you the tales of war. It drops you into the thick of combat - 21 minutes.

On October 19, 1781, British forces laid down their arms in Yorktown, Virginia. Despite the British surrender, the American struggle to form a new nation was far from finished. War debt, rebellions, slavery, and a weak central government warned of dire times ahead. Read more about what happened when the fighting ended and the real work began - 26 minutes.

 This book looks at famous battles of the Revolutionary War - longer book at 53 minutes.

Important dates in the American Revolution

The Revolutionary War Begins Paul Revere's Ride (April 18, 1775) - The Revolutionary War starts and Paul Revere makes his famous ride to warn the colonists that the "British are coming". 

Click on the picture of Paul Revere to read the World Book Kids article.

Some of the following links are from a website called Ducksters.  Please do not click on ads. The reading level is good for 4th graders.

Battle of Lexington and Concord (April 19, 1775) - The actual fighting starts with the first "shot heard around the world". The Americans win as the British retreat.

Capture of Fort Ticonderoga (May 10, 1775) - The Green Mountain Boys led by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold capture Fort Ticonderoga from the British.

Battle of Bunker Hill (June 16, 1775) - Major battle where William Prescott told the American troops "don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes".

Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull The Declaration of Independence is Adopted (July 4, 1776) - The Continental Congress agrees to Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence.

 Click on the picture of the Declaration of Independence to read a World Book Kids article.

George Washington Crosses the Delaware (Dec. 25, 1776) - George Washington and his troops cross the Delaware River on Christmas night and surprise the enemy.

Click on the picture to read a World Book Kids article about George Washington.

America Chooses a Flag (June 14, 1777) - The Continental Congress adopts the "Stars and Stripes" Flag sewn by Betsy Ross.

 Click on the picture to read about Betsy Ross

Battles of Saratoga (September 19 - October 17, 1777) - British General John Burgoyne surrenders his army to the Americans after suffering defeat at the Battles of Saratoga.

Valley Forge (Winter of 1777-1778) - The Continental army under George Washington spends the winter training at Valley Forge.

Alliance with France (Feb. 16, 1778) - France recognized the United States as an independent country with the Treaty of Alliance.

Articles of Confederation (March 2, 1781) - Defined the official government of the United States.

Battle of Yorktown (Oct. 19, 1781) - The last major battle of the American Revolutionary War. British

General Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown was the unofficial end to the war.

Treaty of Paris (Sept. 3, 1783) - Treaty that officially ended the war. 

What were minutemen?  Click on the picture to find out.

Who was General Cornwallis?  Click on the picture to find out.

POWER LIBRARY eRESOURCES

Database of Nonfiction Sources

Grades K-5

Click on the picture to read a World Book Article about the

American Revolution.  You can also see a timeline and causes that led up to the Revolution.  You can also choose to have the text read aloud to you.

Events that led up to the war: (These links are from Ducksters.  Do not click on ads)

The Stamp Act (March 22, 1765) - Britain sets a tax that requires a stamp on all public documents like newspapers or legal documents. The colonists did not like having this tax placed on them. This led to unrest in the colonies and the Stamp Act Congress (October 1765).

The Boston Massacre (March 5, 1770 - 5 Boston colonists are shot by British troops.

The Destruction of Tea at Boston Harbor by Sarony & Major The Boston Tea Party (Dec. 16, 1773) - Angry with a new tax on tea, some Boston colonists calling themselves the Sons of Liberty board British ships and dump crates of tea into the Boston Harbor.

The First Continental Congress Meets (Sept. 1774) - Representatives from the colonies get together to unite and oppose British taxes. Paul Revere's Midnight Ride Source: National Archives and Records Administration.