Revolutionary War Facts
Revolutionary War Fact 1
George Washington: George Washington (1732-1799) was the Commander-in-Chief of the
army with no experience leading a large army but played a critical role in most of the battles of
the Revolutionary War due to his leadership. George Washington rarely had even 15,000 men
under his command at a time. He was desperate short of men, shoes, shirts, blankets, and
gunpowder and selfish, apathetic states often refused to help.
Revolutionary War Fact 2
The Continental Congress established (on paper) a regular army on June 14, 1775. The
greatest leaders and commanders of the Revolutionary War included Nathanael Greene, John
Stark, Benedict Arnold, Daniel Morgan and Anthony Wayne.
Revolutionary War Fact 3
The Dates: The American Revolutionary War was fought against Great Britain from 1775 to
1783 during the Colonial Era. The Olive Branch Petition (July 5, 1775) aimed at reconciliation
with Great Britain but failed.
Revolutionary War Fact 4
The British Army was supported by German mercenaries, nicknamed Hessians. Over 30,000
Hessian soldiers were hired to fight against the American rebels during the Revolutionary War equivalent to one quarter of the British force
Revolutionary War Fact 5
The Americans had no standing army at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. The American
Revolutionary Soldiers came from the 13 colonies who had relied upon the local militia, made
up of part time citizen-soldiers, for local defense.
Revolutionary War Fact 6
As there was no established American army there were very few uniforms available for the
American Revolutionary Soldiers. Many of the soldiers wore civilian clothes or hunting jackets see the above picture of different uniforms.
Revolutionary War Fact 7
The British soldiers were nicknamed Redcoats who were so-called because of their red
uniforms.
Revolutionary War Fact 8
The British Army had many advantages over the American Army: (1) The British Army had a
well-established, experienced, standing army - the American Army did not. (2) The British Army
had a well-established navy - the American Army did not. (3) The British Army had ample
quantities of powder, guns, and clothing - the American Army did not. (4) The British Army were
well disciplined and trained - the American Army
Revolutionary War Fact 9
The battle tactics used by the Americans were generally defensive.
Revolutionary War Fact 10
A total of 25,000 Americans died during the Revolutionary war. 8000 died in battle and 17,000
died of sickness, went missing in action and other causes.
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Revolutionary War Fact 11
9000 American soldiers suffered serious wounds and injuries.
Revolutionary War Fact 12
40% - 45% of Americans supported the Revolutionary War. Farming was the main occupation
in the colonies. Only a small amount of people lived in the cities.
Revolutionary War Fact 13
About 20 to 33% of the British colonial people supported the king and thought of themselves as
Loyalists or Tories and opposed the Revolution. The British government viewed others as
traitors.
Revolutionary War Fact 14
The remaining Americans were neutral during the Revolutionary War.
Revolutionary War Fact 15
There were 2.5 million colonists during the Revolutionary War period.
Revolutionary War Fact 16
The soldiers used a wide range of different weapons including muskets, pistols, rifles, long
rifles, knives, bayonets, tomahawks, axes, swords, sabres, pole arms and cannon.
Revolutionary War Fact 17
Events that led to the Revolutionary War included the:
Stamp Act of 1765
Boston Massacre in 1770
Boston Tea Party
Intolerable Acts of 1774
Revolutionary War Fact 18
France, Spain and the Dutch all secretly provided supplies, ammunition and weapons to the
revolutionaries. Benjamin Franklin was able to get foreign support from France, Spain and the
Netherlands, which helped weaken the British.
Revolutionary War Fact 19
The American victory at the Battles of Saratoga persuaded France to enter the Revolutionary
War openly in early 1778.
Revolutionary War Fact 20
African Americans served on both sides during the Revolutionary war. About 5,000 African
American men and boys fought in the war.
Revolutionary War Fact 21
The first man shot in the Boston Massacre was a black man named Crispus Attucks.
Revolutionary War Fact 22
The American leaders who fought in the Revolutionary War wore distinguishing cockades in
their hats. The colors of the cockades indicated the rank of the commander and were pink, red,
yellow and green. The Continental Army then adopted the black cockade which changed to the
black and white "Union Cockade" to mark of the French-American alliance.
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Revolutionary War Fact 23
The first submarine attack took place in New York Harbor in 1776. The Connecticut inventor,
David Bushnell, called his submarine the “Turtle”.
Revolutionary War Fact 24
November 15, 1777 Articles of Confederation - Congress was made sole authority of the new
national government.
Revolutionary War Fact 25
September 23, 1780: Plans were discovered indicating that Benedict Arnold intended to turn
traitor and surrender West Point. Benedict Arnold joined the British.
Prior to its decisive victory at Yorktown, the American military teetered upon total collapse.
France came to the rescue with a financial gift, troops and a navy
Revolutionary War Fact 27
John Adams was appointed to negotiate peace with England on September 27, 1779.
Revolutionary War Fact 28
The British Parliament votes against further war in America on February 27, 1782. The siege of
Yorktown began on September 28, 1781 and ended with a Franco-American victory on October
19, 1781 – the decisive battle of the Revolutionary War.
Even though Cornwallis surrendered to the Americans at Yorktown in 1781, the fighting lasted
for two more years until the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783.
Revolutionary War Fact 29
John Adams was appointed to negotiate peace with England on September 27, 1779.
Revolutionary War Fact 30
The Peace Treaty of Paris 1783 was signed on September 3, 1783 and ended the American
Revolutionary War between Great Britain and the United States of America
Despite having achieved a decisive victory at the Battle of Yorktown in October of 1781,
threats to the Patriotic cause continued. In March of 1783, a growing number of American
military officers, discouraged by lack of regular pay and ongoing financial support, began to
openly discuss options that included a wanton disbandment of the army or possibly even a
military show of force pointed directly at Congress. Washington, who learned of the “Newburgh
Conspiracy” through a printed camp circular, appeared at a March 15, 1783 meeting and
challenged the gathered group of officers and stopped the rebellion.
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