30 Facts about the Revolutionary War
1 George Washington: George Washington (1732-1799) was the Commander-in-Chief of the army played a critical role in most of the battles of the Revolutionary War
2 The Continental Congress established (on paper) a regular army on June 14, 1775. The greatest leaders and commanders of the Revolutionary War included Nathanael Greene, John Stark, Benedict Arnold, Daniel Morgan and Anthony Wayne.
3 The Dates: The American Revolutionary War was fought against Great Britain from 1775 to 1783 during the Colonial Era. The Olive Branch Petition (July 5, 1775) aimed at reconciliation with Great Britain but failed
4 The British Army was supported by German mercenaries, nicknamed Hessians. Over 30,000 Hessian soldiers were hired to fight against the American rebels during the Revolutionary War – equivalent to one quarter of the British force
5 The Americans had no standing army at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. The American Revolutionary Soldiers came from the 13 colonies who had relied upon the local militia, made up of part time citizen-soldiers, for local defense.
6 As there was no established American army there were very few uniforms available for the American Revolutionary Soldiers. Many of the soldiers wore civilian clothes or hunting jackets.
7 The British soldiers were nicknamed Redcoats who were so-called because of their red uniforms.
8 The British Army had many advantages over the American Army:
Fact: The British Army had a well-established, experienced, standing army – the American Army did not
Fact: The British Army had a well-established navy – the American Army did not
Fact: The British Army had ample quantities of powder, guns, and clothing – the American Army did not
Fact: The British Army were well disciplined and trained – the American Army
9 The battle tactics used by the Americans were generally defensive.
10 A total of 25,000 Americans died during the Revolutionary war. 8000 died in battle and 17,000 died of sickness, went missing in action and other causes
11 9000 American soldiers suffered serious wounds and injuries
12 40% – 45% of Americans supported the Revolutionary War
13 15% – 20% of Americans were loyalists – Colonists who supported the British in opposing the Revolution are referred to as “Loyalists” or “Tories”.
14 The remaining Americans were neutral during the Revolutionary War
15 There were 2.5 million colonists during the Revolutionary War period. Only 3% participated in fighting.
16 The soldiers used a wide range of different weapons including muskets, pistols, rifles, long rifles, knives, bayonets, tomahawks, axes, swords, sabers, pole arms and cannon.
17 Events that led to the Revolutionary War included the:
Stamp Act of 1765
Boston Massacre in 1770
Boston Tea Party
Intolerable Acts of 1774
18 France, Spain and the Dutch all secretly provided supplies, ammunition and weapons to the revolutionaries
19 The American victory at the Battles of Saratoga persuaded France to enter the Revolutionary War openly in early 1778
20 Africans served on both sides during the Revolutionary war.
21 The first man shot in the Boston Massacre was a black man named Crispus Attucks.
22 The American leaders who fought in the Revolutionary War wore distinguishing cockades in their hats. The colors of the cockades indicated the rank of the commander and were pink, red, yellow and green. The Continental Army then adopted the black cockade which changed to the black and white “Union Cockade” to mark of the French-American alliance.
23 The first submarine attack took place in New York Harbor in 1776. The Connecticut inventor, David Bushnell, called his submarine the “Turtle”.
24 November 15, 1777 Articles of Confederation – Congress was made sole authority of the new national government.
25 September 23, 1780: Plans were discovered indicating that Benedict Arnold intended to turn traitor and surrender West Point. Benedict Arnold joined the British
27 John Adams was appointed to negotiate peace with England on September 27, 1779
28 The British Parliament votes against further war in America on February 27, 1782
29 John Adams was appointed to negotiate peace with England on September 27, 1779
30 The Peace Treaty of Paris 1783 was signed on September 3, 1783 and ended the American Revolutionary War between Great Britain and the United States of America