American Revolution
Definition
The American Revolution was a political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America.
Analogy
Think of it like a teenager (the American colonies) deciding they no longer want to follow their parent's (Britain's) rules and moving out to live on their own terms.
Related terms
Declaration of Independence: This is a document that was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. It announced that the thirteen American colonies were now independent states and no longer under British rule.
Boston Tea Party: An act of defiance toward the British government by American colonists; they threw shipments of tea into Boston harbor as protest against taxes.
Continental Congress: A convention of delegates from twelve of the thirteen New England colonies that became the governing body during the American Revolution.
"American Revolution" appears in:
Subjects (3)
Study guides (3)
Practice Questions (8)
What impact did the American Revolution have on the world?
Which of the following was a common characteristic of both the French and American revolutions?
How did the French Revolution differ from the American Revolution in terms of impact on social hierarchy?
Which Enlightenment philosopher had a significant influence on the American Revolution with his ideas about social contract and government's role in protecting individual rights?
Which Enlightenment philosopher's ideas had the most direct influence on the American Revolution?
How did the causes of the American Revolution differ from those of the French Revolution?
How might the world be different if the American Revolution had not been successful?
Which of the following best represents a parallel between the decolonization process in Africa and Asia during the Cold War era and the American Revolution?
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