1775-1783
[THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION SUMMARY WORKSHEET]
Mr. Oberholtzer
Name_____________________________
World History & Cultures
Date__________________Pd._________
Unit: The Age of Revolutions
Topic: The American Revolution
Discussion Meta Question: Was the American Revolution truly a revolution or was it simply a colonial
war for independence?
Answer & Reasoning: (complete at the end of exercise)
Section 1: Origins of the American Revolution
Causes
1. French & Indian War
(Seven Years War)
British Response
American Response
2. Taxes
3. Salutary Neglect
4.
Question 1:
Was war inevitable due to irreconcilable differences, or could it have been avoided,
with American independence granted later and peacefully by the British the way Canada got its
independence? How legitimate were the American grievances against Great Britain and in your view,
were they sufficient to base a war for independence on? Explain completely:
Question 2: What did the Declaration of Independence (1776) accomplish and how did it express the
values of the Enlightenment that we previously studied? Was the American Revolution an
Enlightenment based revolution? Why or why not? Explain completely.
1
1775-1783
[THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION SUMMARY WORKSHEET]
Section 2: Analysis of British and American War capabilities:
British Advantages
American Advantages
Net +/American_____British_____
Projected Winner____________
Question 1: What is asymmetrical warfare? Define and explain how the Americans practiced this
during the Revolutionary War. Which recent conflict can you identify that closely resembles the
situation from 1775-83? Explain completely. Go outside the presentation and use independent
research to help answer the question.
Section 3: The American War for Independence
Major Battles (year)
Battle of Long Island
Result/Significance
Net +/-
Fort Ticonderoga
Battle of Trenton
Battle of Saratoga
Battle of Yorktown
Question 1: Why was Valley Forge so significant to creating an army that could defeat the British?
What happened there that arguably forged both a professional army and a new national identity?
Question 2: What role did the French play in the American victory during the Revolutionary War?
Identify the contributions of the French, the major generals/admirals/leaders they provided and what
they did to ensure American independence from Britain. Why do you think they aided the U.S.?
2
1775-1783
[THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION SUMMARY WORKSHEET]
Section 4. An Independent United States of America
Question 1: What treaty officially ended the Revolutionary War and formally recognized the
independence of the United States? The Treaty of _________________.
Question 2: What happened to the Loyalists who had supported Britain during the Revolution? What
was the impact of the consequences the Loyalists experienced?
Question 3: The Articles of Confederation
What were the Articles of Confederation? Explain briefly & analyze
Strengths
Weaknesses
Net +/-
Question 4: The Constitution---short essay question
Why was the Constitution written and adopted? What did the Constitution provide that the
Articles of Confederation could not? Why is the US Constitution sometimes called a “living
document”? Why do you think it has survived for over 200 years as the framework of our
republic with so little change?
Question 5: Do you think the experience of the Revolution, the adoption of the Constitution and the
endurance of the republic we live in today makes the United States and exception nation, unique in
history and a “shining city on the hill” for other people on Earth to want to emulate? What do you
think? Explain completely.
3