Facts about the american revolution

1. The American revolution was a struggle between 13 colonies and great britain.

2. The American Revolutionary war lasted for eight years

3. The American colonist supporting the independence were named patriots

4. The britain soldiers were called the ´The red coats´ or the ´devils´

5. The British army was weakened by needing to also fight in the Caribbean.

6. In 1776, the population of the 13 American colonies was estimated at 2.4 million. 85% of the white population was of British descent, with 9% of German origin and 4% Dutch

7. During the chaos of war, many slaves were able to escape. In South Carolina, 30% of slaves escaped, migrated or died during the conflict.

8. Approx 25,000 American Patriots died during military service – the biggest cause of death was disease – often in unsanitary prisoner of warships.

9. King George III led British resistance to American independence. The British Prime Minister was Lord North

10. Not all British MPs supported military action against the American Patriots. The ‘Whig’ faction, e.g. Edmund Burke criticised military action to resolve the issue.

11. The British military commander at the start of Revolution was Sir William Howe, though he was later replaced due to failures in the British war effort.

12. The American Commander in Chief was George Washington.

13. During the war, the majority of people living in the American colonies were ‘fence sitters’ not taking either side.

14. The 13 colonies were Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts Bay, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island.

15. The British army was weakened by needing to also fight in the Caribbean.