Revolutionary War Facts for Kids

What do you know about the Revolutionary War? Do you know why the colonists decided to fight? How about the number of troops fought in the war? Whether you’re just learning about the American Revolution or you consider yourself to be an expert on the war, here are some interesting Revolutionary War facts for kids.

Summary of the War

The Revolutionary War was fought between the Colonies and Great Britain. American forces fought against British forces in over 200 battles! Some of them may have been fought right near your hometown, so make sure you research all the battle sites and visit one if you can! In the meantime, brush up on your Revolutionary War knowledge with these fun facts about the American Revolution.

Revolutionary War Facts for Kids – Why the War Began

The colonists had several reasons for fighting against King George III and his British troops. Here are just a few reasons why:

In 1764, the Sugar Act was passed, requiring colonists to pay a tax when buying sugar from the British.
The Stamp Act was passed by British Parliament in 1765. It required the colonists to pay a tax on documents, records, and other papers.
The Tea Act was passed in 1773, which placed a tax on tea. The British also banned outside tea imports, so there was no other way for the colonists to get their tea. The colonists directly rebelled against the Tea Act during the Boston Tea Party. Colonists, disguised as Native Americans, dumped hundreds of crates of British tea into the Boston Harbor.

The American colonists suffered all these taxes without having a say in the British Parliament. They preached “no taxation without representation” and fought for this motto along with the rest of their freedom during the American Revolution. How hard would you be willing to fight for your freedom? If you were an American colonist, the answer is extremely hard.

Common Sense

Right before the Revolution began in 1775, Thomas Paine published his pamphlet, Common Sense. This pamphlet laid out all the reasons why the American colonists should fight against the British subjects and served as one of the motivations for the colonists fighting in the war.

The Declaration of Independence

Many people think the American Declaration of Independence was written after the American Revolution, but did you know it was signed during the war? The American Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, 1776 at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia. Today, we know this building as Independence Hall. Have you ever visited it?

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Timeline of the American Revolution

The American Revolutionary War was fought from 1775 to 1783. The war lasted for eight years with over 200 battles!

Revolutionary War Facts for Kids – Where the War was Fought

The Revolutionary War officially began at the Battle of Lexington and Concord when a soldier shot their gun during a standoff. This shot became known as the “shot heard round the world”. To this day, no one knows for sure who shot that first shot, let alone if it was a British soldier or an American soldier.

The first major battle of the war was the Battle of Bunker Hill in June 1775. This was a humiliating defeat for the British, with more than 1,000 soldiers killed or wounded.

The American Army stationed their troops in several areas across the Northeast, including Valley Forge. Under the supervision of General George Washington, American soldiers faced a brutal winter in Valley Forge and were raided by British soldiers in 1777. This was almost the end of the war for the colonists, but they preserved and fought on. I have a feeling it paid off!

The turning point of the war was the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777, when colonial forces defeated a British army attempting to invade from Canada. The Battle of Saratoga was the first major victory for the Colonists and convinced France to enter into open warfare against Britain.

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Alliances of the American Revolution

French forces were still upset over their loss against the British in the French and Indian War in 1763. They wanted to get revenge by helping the colonists overthrow the British government, so they formed an alliance with the Americans. The Frech provided troops, supplies, and military leadership.

The French formalized their support of American forces with the Treaty of Alliance in February 1778.

Revolutionary War Facts for Kids – Who was Involved in the War Effort

Not only was George Washington the first President of the United States of America, but he was also the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. He played a leading role in the War, creating battle plans and overseeing troops. Did you know that?

Paul Revere was the famous colonial messenger who would warn the American troops when the British were coming. He coined the famous saying, “The redcoats are coming!” Have you ever heard someone say that?

The Patriot militia forces were often outmatched by the professional British Army, but they made up for it with their determination and motivation. The colonists also had an advantage since the War was fought mainly on American soil.

The End of the War

The Battle of Yorktown was the last major engagement of the war and resulted in a decisive defeat for the British, leading to their eventual surrender. The British surrender at Yorktown in October 1781 marked the end of the Revolutionary War.

The Treaty of Paris, which officially ended the war, was signed in September 1783 by both American and British leaders.

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Results of the War

The war resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides, as well as civilians caught in the crossfire.

The United States of America was created as a result of the war. If you live in the United States, you can thank the colonial soldiers for your freedom.

The United States Constitution was ratified in 1788, in part as a result of the war’s outcome.

The Revolutionary War led to freedom for the Americans with the establishment of the United States of America. The United States of America still remains strong today and many of the effects of the American Revolution can still be seen today. Can you name any of them? Hint: start with a list of all the freedoms you have. There’s probably more than you think, all thanks to the troops during the American Revolution.