American Revolution
Grade 3 · Social Studies · Study Guide
Learn how and why the American colonies fought for independence from Britain and became the United States.
About 250 years ago, the land that is now the United States was made up of 13 colonies ruled by Great Britain. The colonists were British citizens — but they lived thousands of miles away from their king, and they were getting frustrated. Britain kept making rules and charging taxes that the colonists had no say in. This became a famous complaint: 'No taxation without representation!' If they had to pay taxes, they wanted representatives in the British government — but they had none.
Things came to a head in 1775 when fighting broke out at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. The shot fired there was called 'the shot heard round the world' because it started a revolution that changed history. On July 4, 1776, colonial leaders signed the Declaration of Independence, officially declaring that the 13 colonies were free from British rule. Thomas Jefferson wrote most of it.
The Revolutionary War lasted until 1783. General George Washington led the Continental Army against the powerful British forces. With help from France, the Americans won the war and signed the Treaty of Paris. Britain recognized the United States of America as an independent nation.
After independence, Americans had to build a new government from scratch. They wrote the Constitution — the rulebook for the new country — and elected George Washington as the very first President of the United States.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1765 | Stamp Act — Britain taxes the colonies |
| 1773 | Boston Tea Party — colonists protest taxes |
| 1775 | Battles of Lexington and Concord begin the war |
| 1776 | Declaration of Independence signed on July 4 |
| 1783 | Treaty of Paris — Britain recognizes U.S. independence |
Key terms
- colony
- A land ruled by a distant country — the 13 colonies were ruled by Britain
- Declaration of Independence
- The document signed on July 4, 1776 declaring American independence from Britain
- Revolutionary War
- The war fought by American colonists to win independence from Britain (1775–1783)
- taxation without representation
- The colonists' complaint that Britain taxed them without giving them a voice in government
- Continental Army
- The army of American colonists led by George Washington during the Revolution
Flashcards
- colony
- A land controlled by a distant country — the 13 colonies were ruled by Britain
- Declaration of Independence
- Document signed July 4, 1776 declaring freedom from British rule
- Revolutionary War
- The war American colonists fought to win independence from Britain (1775-1783)
- George Washington
- Led the Continental Army and became the first U.S. President
- Treaty of Paris
- The 1783 agreement in which Britain recognized U.S. independence
- Thomas Jefferson
- The main author of the Declaration of Independence
Practice questions
What famous complaint did colonists have about British taxes?
- Taxes are too complicated
- No taxation without representation
- Taxes should be paid in gold
- Only kings should pay taxes
Show answer
Answer: No taxation without representation
Colonists were angry that Britain taxed them without giving them any seats in the British Parliament — they had no voice in the laws affecting them.
The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776.
Show answer
Answer: True
July 4, 1776 is celebrated as Independence Day because that's when the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence.
The 13 American colonies were originally ruled by ___.
Show answer
Answer: Britain
Britain (Great Britain / the British Empire) controlled the 13 American colonies. Colonists were British subjects who paid taxes to the British Crown.
Who led the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War?
- Thomas Jefferson
- Benjamin Franklin
- George Washington
- John Adams
Show answer
Answer: George Washington
George Washington commanded the Continental Army throughout the Revolution. His leadership and perseverance helped win independence, and he later became the 1st President.
The United States received no help from other countries during the Revolutionary War.
Show answer
Answer: False
France was a crucial ally. French troops, supplies, and the French navy helped the Americans defeat the British, especially at the final Battle of Yorktown.
Fun facts
- John Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence in such large letters that his name became a term for 'signature' — people still call their signature their 'John Hancock'!
- George Washington's Continental Army once spent a brutal winter at Valley Forge with barely any food, shoes, or warm clothing — but they survived and fought on.
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