American Revolutionary War

At a glance

Dates: 1775-04-19 – 1783-09-03.

Place: Eastern United States.

Type: war of national liberation.

Key figures / parties: United States, Kingdom of France, Kingdom of Spain, Dutch Republic, Vermont Republic, Kingdom of Great Britain, Indigenous peoples of the United States in North America, and Spain.

What came before

Part of: American Revolution.

Prelude to war Main article: American Revolution Further information: American Enlightenment , Colonial history of the United States , Thirteen Colonies , and French and Indian War Map showing the territorial gains of Great Britain and Spain following the French and Indian War with lands held by the British prior to 1763 (in red), land gained by Britain in 1763 (in pink), and lands ceded to the Kingdom of Spain in secret during 1762 (in light yellow). The French and Indian War,

Catalyst / how it startedAI-assisted

Tensions between Britain and the thirteen colonies escalated over taxation without representation and restrictive trade policies imposed after the French and Indian War. Armed conflict began in April 1775 with the Battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts.

On September 15, 1776, British forces under General William Howe landed on Manhattan during the New York Campaign, a major turning point that forced Washington's Continental Army to retreat and demonstrated the war's uncertain trajectory.

Who was involvedAI-assisted

The Continental Army, commanded by George Washington, represented the thirteen colonies' patriot forces. Britain deployed the Royal Navy and professional soldiers under commanders including General William Howe and General Henry Clinton.

France, Spain, and the Dutch Republic eventually joined as American allies, providing military support and resources. Native American nations and enslaved people also participated on various sides throughout the conflict.

TimelineAI-assisted

April 1775: Battles of Lexington and Concord began armed conflict. July 1776: Declaration of Independence adopted. September 15, 1776: British landing on Manhattan during New York Campaign.

October 1777: American victory at Saratoga. October 1781: Siege of Yorktown ended with British surrender. September 1783: Treaty of Paris formally recognized American independence.

What happened

The American Revolutionary War, also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence or simply the American Revolution, was the armed conflict that comprised the final eight years of the broader American Revolution, in which American Patriot forces organized as the Continental Army and, commanded by George Washington, defeated the British Army. The conflict was fought in North America, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean. The war's outcome seemed uncertain for most of the war,