The American War of Independence Online History Study Course & Assessment

Take our American Revolution online study course. Learn all about key moments of the Revolution including the origin, significant figures, the impact + much more. Share with your students and let them complete at home.

History courses for your students

Do you want to save dozens of hours in time? Get your evenings and weekends back?

If so, you'll love our interactive history courses. Your students will be able to work through courses on specific history topics, track their progress, take quizzes to test their knowledge, and finish with a final assessment test.

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Course Overview

The American War of Independence, also known as the American Revolutionary War, was an eight-year (1775 - 1783) insurrection of the original Thirteen Colonies  against British rule. After almost two centuries since the first English settlement in Jamestown, the American colonists gained independence from the British Crown and gave birth to the United States of America.

After the failure of the First Continental Congress to urge King George III of Britain to repeal the Coercive Acts, another Congress was set in May 1775. The Second Continental Congress acted as the revolutionary government of the Thirteen Colonies during the war. The Congress significantly created committees which handled the war efforts, alliances and steps to independence.

The American War of Independence officially began with military confrontation at the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and ended in the Siege of Yorktown. In the course of eight years, there were about 10 major campaigns and more than a hundred battles fought between the British troops and the Continental Army, and their respective alliances. The war also established the political careers of the Founding Fathers.

After the British defeat at Yorktown, England agreed to peace negotiations with the American colonists. A group of statesmen composed of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Laurens were sent by the Continental Congress to negotiate a peace treaty. Aside from independence, the war sadly displaced Native American Indian populations and further strengthened the institution of slavery.

This self-guided course is designed for you to work through on your own using the resources and suggested learning activities provided.

Over the four lessons in the course, you'll learn about the causes of the Revolutionary War, the Second Continental Congress, key figures, battles & impacts of the Revolutionary War.

Part 1: Causes of the Revolutionary War

In this lesson, we'll define key terms, understand the nature of colonial America under the British rule, analyse the events which led to the outbreak of the American War of Independence, evaluate the significance of taxes and parliamentary representation to the American colonists.

Part 1 Quiz: Causes of the Revolutionary War

Take this quiz to make sure you understand the causes of the Revolutionary War.

Part 2: The Second Continental Congress

In this lesson, we'll define key terms, trace significant events of the revolutionary war using a timeline, understand the nature of the Second Continental Congress & assess the accomplishments of and challenges faced by the Second Continental Congress.

Part 2 Quiz: The Second Continental Congress

Take this quiz to make sure you understand the Second Continental Congress.

Part 3: Key Figures and Battles of the Revolutionary War

In this lesson, we'll define key terms, be familiar with key figures and their contributions to the causes of the war & trace some of the most significant battles of the Revolutionary War.

Part 3 Quiz: Key Figures and Battles of the Revolutionary War

Take this quiz to make sure you understand the key figures and battles of the Revolutionary War.

Part 4: Impacts of the Revolutionary War

In this lesson, we'll define key terms, understanding the nature of the 1783 Treaty of Paris, analyse the impacts of the American Revolutionary War & evaluate the state of Loyalists, African-Americans, and Native American Indians after the war.

Part 4 Quiz: Impacts of the Revolutionary War

Take this quiz to make sure you understand the impacts of the Revolutionary War.

The American War of Independence Course Assessment

Take this quiz to make sure you understand the origins of the American War of Independence.