The American Revolutionary War and Independence - supplemental text

This text covers the American Revolutionary War and the decision to declare independence from England. It covers the political, military and economic history of the war itself, from the Battles of Lexington and Concord to the Treaty of Paris, takes a close look at the Declaration of Independence and its author, Thomas Jefferson, and examines the role of and war’s effect on African-Americans, Native Americans, and women. This is a “warts and all” examination of this period of history, as it pulls no punches telling the true human story and cost of the war; it is both a story of triumph and tragedy as well as one of heroes and villains – some of whom were both, depending on how one looks at them.

This 48 page text is divided into nine chapters: “The Shot Heard Round the World," "The First Year," “The Declaration of Independence,” “Jefferson – Hypocrite?" “Washington Saves an Army," “Stalemate," "Free at Last" “African-Americans in the War," and “Other Battlefronts," from my textbook “We Take Nothing by Conquest”.

These chapters are also part of a complete and comprehensive unit on the American Revolution also available in my store. That complete unit includes not only this text but also inquiry based study guides, PowerPoints, activities, assessments and projects designed to accompany the text, along with a Teacher’s Guide for using all of the materials.

Created by Cliff Baker - Ye Olde History Emporium