History of the 1776 American Revolutionary War for Kids - Causes, Battles, Daily Life, Games, Interactives, Timeline, Maps, Famous People, Spies and more Illustration

The American Revolution for Kids

For Kids: The American Revolution was not fought over paying taxes. It was fought over who had the authority to impose taxes - Britain or colonial governments. To colonial leaders, taxation without representation was a major cause of the Revolutionary War. Other causes were restriction of free trade and restriction of free speech. 

By 1770, although some colonists were still loyal to the British crown, many others were upset about taxes, the arrogance of British troops stationed in the colonies, and the continued disregard the British Parliament had shown for the needs of the American colonists. Jobs were lost. Monies were tight. Taxation without representation was the cry heard everywhere. Tension was growing.

By 1776, America was at war, fighting for her independence from Britain. This site for kids explores the story of the American Revolution and the birth of a new nation - The United States of America.

Events Leading Up To & Causes of the American Revolutionary War

British Parliament
Colonial Government

Proclamation of 1763

The Sugar Act 1764

The Stamp Act & The Stamp Act Congress 1765 - No taxation without representation!

The Sons of Liberty

Repeal of the Stamp Act
The Declaratory Act

The Townshend Act 1767

Boston Massacre 1770
Repeal of the Townshend Acts
(except for the tea tax)

Committees of Correspondence

The Boston Tea Party 1773

The Intolerable Acts, 1774
First Continental Congress
Boycott of British Goods
Minutemen & Militia

The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott, April 18, 1775

Battles of Lexington and Concord, Shot Heard Round the World, April 19, 1775 - Start of the American Revolution (1775-1783)

Green Mountain Boys
Fort Ticonderoga, NY (canons!) May, 1775

Second Continental Congress, May, 1775
Appointment of Washington
as Commander of Continental Army, June 1775

Common Sense, Thomas Paine, 1776

The Declaration of Independence, 1776

The Articles of Confederation, 1777, finally radified by all 13 colonies in 1781

Key Battles of the American Revolution

Treaty of Paris ends the war, Results of the American Revolution 1783

Take the Quiz, interactive, with answers

Revolutionary Battles & Happenings 1776-1783

Bunker Hill

Naval Battles

New York, New York

Battle of Saratoga

Battle of Trenton

Winter Encampment at Valley Forge

Monmouth

War in the South

Yorktown

Treaty of Paris, Results of the Revolutionary War

Battle Maps, Timelines, Games

The Importance of Canons

The Constitution of the United States

Take the Quiz, interactive, with answers

Daily Life During the American Revolution

Colonial Daily Life - What was life like during the events leading up to war, and during the war itself?

Revolutionary Recipes

Famous Folks of the American Revolution

Names in the News

John Adams

Benedict Arnold

Crispus Attucks

Benjamin Franklin

Bernardo de Galvez

King George III

Nathanael Greene

Green Mountain Boys

Nathan Hale

John Hancock

General William Howe (British)

Thomas Jefferson

John Paul Jones

General Marquis de Lafayette

Loyalists

Thomas Paine

Paul Revere, William Dawes, Samuel Prescott

Sons of Liberty

George Washington

Women Soldiers, Spies, and Patriots

Yankee Doodle Dandy

Famous Quotes

Join, or Die.
and other cartoons

Test Yourself

Causes of the American Revolution - Interactive Quiz with Answers

The Importance of Geography during the American Revolution - Interactive Quiz with Answers

Revolution Battles & Happenings - Interactive Quiz with Answers

More Quizzes about The American Revolution, plus Online Crossword Puzzles, Hangman, Millionaire, Jeopardy, and more

For Teachers

Free Lesson Plans  and Units about the Revolutionary War for Teachers

Free Classroom Activities and Project Ideas for Teachers

Powerpoints: Free Use Presentations in PowerPoint format about the American Revolution

Free Online Interactive Games about the American Revolution for Kids and Teachers