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Overview
Revolutionary Way / American Revolution, 1775-1783
The Revolutionary War (1775-83), also known as the American Revolution, arose from growing tensions between residents of Great Britain’s 13 North American colonies and the colonial government, which represented the British crown. Skirmishes between British troops and colonial militiamen in Lexington and Concord in April 1775 kicked off the armed conflict, and by the following summer, the rebels were waging a full-scale war for their independence. France entered the American Revolution on the side of the colonists in 1778, turning what had essentially been a civil war into an international conflict. After French assistance helped the Continental Army force the British surrender at Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781, the Americans had effectively won their independence, though fighting would not formally end until 1783. Source: History.com
Who was who?
The colonists living in the British North American colonies who rebelled against the authority of the crown were known as patriots, revolutionaries, continentals, colonials, rebels, Yankees, or Whigs. However, those who remained faithful to the Crown were known as loyalists, Royalists, King’s Men, or Tories. British authority and soldiers likewise acquired several monikers throughout the course of the war, and were synonymously referred to as the British, the Crown, Great Britain, lobster backs, and regulars. Source: BattleField.org
Continental Soldiers in the Revolutionary War
In total, around 230,000 soldiers served in the Continental Army, though never more than 48,000 soldiers at one time. The Continental Army was supplemented by about 145,000 militiamen. These soldiers were young and inexperienced, especially in comparison with the formidable British army, but they were highly motivated to win because the freedom of the colonies was at stake.
The majority of Continental soldiers were young men, usually around 17 or 18 years old. The official enlistment age for the Continental Army was 16, (15 with parental consent) but soldiers could sign on up to the age of 55.
Around 8,000 Continental soldiers were killed in battle and 25,000 were wounded. Around 16,000 soldiers died from starvation or illness. Source: HistoryofMassachusetts.org
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Feature Items
External Tips
- How to Research Loyalist Ancestors Thoughtco.com
- American Revolution – Links to History NPS.gov
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Guide Books
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- Military – Home Page
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External Resources
- Revolutionary War Ancestry.com
- Revolutionary War FamilySearch.org
- Revolutionary War Fold3.com
- Revolutionary War Battlefields.org
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