Treaties & Taxes
This 1783 agreement officially ended the war and forced Great Britain to recognize American independence.
The Treaty of Paris
This term characterized colonists who supported the fight for American independence from Great Britain.
Patriots
This 1777 battle is considered the major turning point of the war because it convinced France to openly ally with the Americans.
The Battle of Saratoga
These German mercenary soldiers were hired by the British military from the principality of Hesse-Cassel.
Hessians
This controversial 1765 act by the British Parliament directly imposed a tax on a wide range of paper goods and printed materials.
The Stamp Act
This common alternative term described American colonists who remained faithful to King George III and Great Britain.
Tories or Loyalists
This clash involved one of the largest single deployments and direct engagements of land forces during the entire war.
The Battle of Long Island
Besides France, this major European nation provided crucial financial assistance and opened military fronts against Britain along the Gulf Coast.
Spain
Colonists used these colorful nicknames for regular British soldiers due to the standard wool coats worn as part of their military uniform.
Redcoats or Lobsterbacks
Once uniform supplies stabilized, this primary color distinguished the standard Continental Army infantry coat
Blue
This invisible threat was the primary cause of death for most soldiers who perished during the Revolutionary War.
Disease (like smallpox or dysentery)
Operating in and around New York City, this famous spy network provided George Washington with critical British intelligence.
The Culper Ring
At the start of the conflict, Great Britain held this major demographic advantage over the American colonies.
A significantly larger population (8 million vs. 2.5 million)
During the war, many African Americans participated or sought freedom through this method.
Joining British lines for emancipation or serving in Continental units
This tactical strategy heavily defined standard 18th-century European and American battlefield engagements.
Close-order linear formations firing musket volleys
Compared to infantry, cavalry units were typically deployed to play this primary role on the battlefield.
Scouting, reconnaissance, and pursuing retreating forces
Passed in 1774 to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party, these restrictive acts pushed the colonies to unite and form the First Continental Congress.
The Coercive (Intolerable) Acts
This staple food item in a soldier’s field rations was known for being baked hard to prevent spoiling on long marches
Hardtack (or hard bread)
Throughout the entire duration of the war, this was the approximate total number of American men who served in the Continental Army and local state militias.
Roughly 230,000 to 250,000 men
This overarching strategic reality ultimately allowed the American forces to wear down and defeat the powerful British military.
A war of attrition on home ground against long supply distances