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American Revolution Links Using Primary & Secondary Sources to Research Our War for Independence

This sit is designed to help you establish your own links to the people, the places, the events that established our nation and forged our national identity: George Washington, The First Continental Congress, Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Paine, The Constitution of the United States, Benjamin Franklin, The Boston Tea Party, Betsy Ross, the First American Flag, Patrick Henry, Valley Forge John Adams, Yorktown, etc.

Please note that while there are a multitude of Revolutionary War sites providing information on the People, Places and Events that Shaped our History ..... Our annotated page on the War for Independence links as directly as possible to primary documents and other source materials while avoiding, as much as possible, sites which provide duplication of links already incorporated.

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A Note to the Student Researcher

INTRODUCTION to the Revolutionary War Era

The internet has proven a rich repository of both primary and secondary sources of information on this era.   .Primary sources are direct sources of information that tell us about people, places and events. They include first-hand reports such as interviews, diaries, letters, journals; on-the-spot photographs and sketches or paintings and statues created later by a witness to an event; artifacts such as tools, weapons, clothing, etc.used at a particular time and place: legal documents such as warrants, contracts, deeds, etc.; and places, such as carefully preserved battle sites and historic buildings. Secondary sources are retellings or histories compiled by people who weren't there but who have studied the information available and have recounted the events. Your history text is a secondary source of information. As you access the materials available be aware that even primary accounts my be influenced by the beliefs of the individual. .

When the Treaty of Paris [1763] ended the French and Indian Wars, Great Britain was faced with several immediate problems in regard to its American colonials. The French and Indian Wars had doubled its debts and the colonies continued to drain money from the mother country rather than contributing to its treasury. The colonists continued to expand their frontier into Indian territory and the cost of providing an Indian defense was heavy. Also, previous Parliaments, preoccupied with European rivalries, had allowed the colonies an unprecedented degree of freedom from the control of the English crown. The American colonials, separated from Great Britain by a great Ocean, had developed their own interpretation of the rights of free Englishmen. They felt no obligation to burden themselves "unjustly" to support the King and Parliament in London. Thus, when the mercantilist Parliament of George III attempted to tighten its controls on its colonials and imposed taxes to recover the costs of its colonial expansionism, the people of the American colonies resisted. They were used to governing them- selves with little interference from their home country and they refused to comply with burdensome regulations imposed from afar. As Parliament increased its efforts to impose its control, resistance became firmer and bolder -escalating from a determination to stand up for the rights of an English- man to a bold declaration of independence from Great Britain.

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COMPREHENSIVE SITES The American Revolution: A Hypertext on American History This excellent web page has an outline of American history, an index to primary sources, essays, biographies and presidents The American Revolution, a PBS support site H-Net link and Web site to suppor the PBS special on the American Revolution. Currently featuring several essays on the Revolution and an excellent collection of topics with extended links on the era and the Revolution History Bookmarks Timeline, links, people, documents, dates, texts and pictures. History Net an E-zine Revolution Main "Promo" site for a CD-ROM -- Revolutionary War:A Nation is Born. The War for American Independence link bar     The World of Early America Colonial American Music Colonial Currency view colonial currency from 15 states, Continental currency, Colonial Lottery Tickets and Colonial Fiscal Documents Colonial Currency - The Leslie Brock Center The Second Part of the South Sea Bubble (1720), Discourse on the Currencies of the American Plantations(1740), Postscript to the Discourse, A Brief Account of the Rise, Progress, and Present State of the Paper Currency (1749). Flags of the American Revolution British Red Ensign, Grand Union flag, Don't Thread on Me flag, Betsy Ross flag, Stars and Stripes, Bennington flag, American Stripes, General Washington's Headquarters flag, Serapis flag,Guilford flag, Star Spangled Banner Loyalist and British Songs  Top of Page Comprehensive   Events K-12 Projects People Places Re-enactor Groups

DOCUMENTS Accessible Archives On-Line The Pennsylvania Gazette (1728-1800) Primary Source Materials covering Revolutionary War era. Early American newspapers - a four disk set of CDs. Over 100,000 records. Full text searchable with complete digital images. American Revolution Navigator Tools Search page for information available through the American History Archives Project ARCHIVING EARLY AMERICA "An array of authentic documents that form an historical record of ...the Colonial Period, the War of Independence, and the presidencies of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson." Constitution of the United States Hyperlinked to make it completely searchable. Includes footnotes that mark alterations that in turn link to the relevant amendment, a history of the amendment -- including Amendments that passed Congress but were never ratified. Congressional Documents Documents from the Continental Congress & the Constitutional Convention, 1774-1789 Early America Review Fine selection of articles, including "The Practice of Scalping During the French & Indian War". Early South Carolina newspapers A quick reference Index to newspapers that began publication in Charleston in 1732. Information in Genealogy and Colonial/Early American History. Eighteenth Century Resources Comprehensive Collection of Authoritative Links Model Editions Partnership The Documentary History of the First Federal Congress, the Ratification of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, Papers of General Nathanael Greene, Henry Laurens,Lincoln Legal Papers, Papers of Margaret Sanger, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. Search the Smithsonian Institute USA: index to source material.resources from colonial time to the present).  Web Guide to Articles of the Constitution newsgroup: soc.history.war.us-revolution Top of Page Comprehensive Documents  K-12 Projects People Places Re-enactor Groups

EVENTS Battles of the Revolutionary War A Chronological List of Battles and Actions The Colonies during the Revolutionary War get information about a battle site by clicking on its location on an image map Cowpens National Battlefield South Carolina A Revolutionary War battle between General Daniel Morgan's Patriot troops and Banastre Tarleton's (Bloody Ben) British forces. Declaring Independence ILTweb: History: Revolutionary War TimeLine Liberty! The American Revolution Military Actions of the American Revolution links to general documents on the Revolutionary War, Revolutionary War battles, events, and sites Revolutionary War Glossary Revolutionary War Timeline 1764 to 1775 - created by the Library of Congress WHAT WAS THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE? Online NewsHour: Gergen Dialogue -- July 4, 1997. Gergen (editor-at-large at "U.S. News & World Report") engages Pauline Maier, a Professor of History at MIT, author of "American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence." Comprehensive Documents Events K-12 Projects People Places Re-enactor Groups

K-12 PROJECTS The American Revolution Project Showcase page for 7th graders. Colonial Lexington This is a web page created by students on the history of Lexington. Colonial Williamsburg - Let America Speak Simulation Educational site encouraging in-depth investigation into the underlying values of our heritage. Rich in resources. A timeline and glossary and a student writing contest have been featured. Colonial Williamsburg - Educational Resources TOC: Choosing Revolution - Colonial Reaction to the Stamp Act, Eighteenth-Century and Twentieth-Century Forms of Resistance and A Family disrupted--the Randolph Family and the Coming American Revolution ILTweb: History: Revolutionary War TimeLine Maryland State Archives: Documents for the Classroom Document packets introduce students to how explorers, settlers, and Native Americans described and handled first contact, read the news (1765-1775) from the Maryland Gazette on the events leading to the American Revolution. Readings on Daily Life in the New World, 1634-1715, the Maryland Gazette at the time of the Stamp Act Crisis, the burning of the Peggy Stewart, the Olive Branch Petition and letters from a Maryland soldier at the Battle of Long Island, documents leading to the Maryland Declaration of Rights, information on Maryland's role in the creation and ratification of the proposed first twelve amendments to the U.S. Constitution and the two that were not ratified and what happens to Black soldiers who survive the Civil War The Revolutionary War Home Page This site was created by elementary and middle school students. It includes information about the war, a chronological time line of events, famous figures of the Revolution, illustrations and teacher ideas. Valley Oak Elementary's Room 9 Presents The Timeline of the Revolutionary War Comprehensive Documents Events K-12 Projects People Places Re-enactor Groups

PEOPLE Andrew "Old Hickory" Jackson Apotheosis of George Washington Betsy Ross Ben: Benjamin Franklin: Glimpses of The Man Everything you might expect on a web site, plus some surprises! Inquiry based teaching tips included. The Ben Franklin Home Page All of his writings. Access Denied Benjamin Franklin: A Documentary History -- J.A. Leo Lemay Betsy Ross Homepage Loads of what you might expect about Betsy, with a great deal of information on the flag. Biography online database of 15,000 biographies, both past and present Colonial Hall: Biographies of America's Founding Fathers Concord Museum Biographical sketches of America's founding fathers are taken from the 1829 book, Lives of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence, by the Rev. Charles A. Goodrich. CPL Casimir Pulaski: A Short Biography The Diary of Colonel Landon Carter from June 1776 to February 1777 also check "Meet the People" for information about George Washington, Martha Washington, Patrick Henry and George Wythe. Founding Fathers | George Washington's Rules of Civility Interesting insight into a code of conduct which had an effect on Washington's character George Washington at Home... on the World Wide Web From the site: "The Website is designed to capture the excitement surrounding Mount Vernon's new 18th-century farm site, its archaeological "finds" and ongoing work and its extensive library and distinguished archive collections. Information about new exhibits, many special events, slave life and audio tours, the Mansion, gardens, museum shops and the Mount Vernon Inn restaurant can also be accessed by computer." George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress 8,000 pages). Document types include correspondence, letterbooks, commonplace books, diaries, journals, financial account books, military records, reports, and notes, accumulated by Washington from 1741 through 1799. George Washington Papers at the University of Virginia Go ahead... Make my day! George Washington, A really neat multimedia experience which explores the myths and truths of George Washington through oil paintings and historical analysis. Hamilton Project Explores the life of Alexander Hamilton. Paine National Historical Assoc. Includes an archive of Thomas Paine works. Patrick Henry Queen Charlotte on the American Revolution William Penn Penn in the U.S. Capitol, Penn and the Indians, Penn Plans the City. The World of Benjamin Franklin Glimpses of the man as scientist, inventor, statesman, printer, philosopher, musician and economist USA: index presidents-area New feature of (which actually provides If you haven't visited the main page recently, backspace over the "/P/ in the address above and select "What's New." Yahoo: Arts:Humanities:History:U.S. History:18th Century:Revolutionary War:People A comprehensive list of related links from Yahoo Comprehensive Documents Events K-12 Projects People Places Re-enactor Groups

PLACES Boston: Revolutionary War Charleston Connections: Historical Highlights a chronological list of events arranged by centuries The Charleston Multimedia Project: Timeline a chronology of noteworthy events from the 16th century to the present Drums Along The Mohawk Story of the New York frontier during the American Revolution. Overviews, Timelines, Links. Georgia in the American Revolution Historic Mount Vernon The Home of Our First President, Visitor's Guide |Library & Collections | George Washington Mount Vernon Tour |Guestbook | Membership & Products Archaeology | Educational Resources | Pioneer Farmer | Related Links | Text Only Version.  Historic Philadelphia From the Independence Hall Association, with a focus on the Revolutionary and Colonial periods of U.S. history. Historic Valley Forge The six month encampment at Valley Forge including a letter written by George Washington to Governor George Clinton decribing camp conditions and requesting help. Map collection of the Revolutionary Period Mayflower Families While predominantly a source of info on Mayflower descendants& New England Colonial life, the site presents an interesting Rev. War footnote. The Massachusetts Enquirer Mayflower, MA New England Events, People, Life. with some interesting historical trivia thrown in for good measure   New Netherland Project A page for the identification, location & off-line acquisition of Dutch documents in New York repositories relating to the seventeenth-century colony of New Netherland. Philadelphia City Hall Frames required. Presents a good virtual tour of the building, floor by floor. A click on "History" generates a page on the history of the building and an interesting top timeline..with a left topic graphic and navigation buttons with dates. Interesting "visual display of chronology" on the Web and a topic that interests me.... Comprehensive Documents Events K-12 Projects People Places Re-enactor Groups

RE-ENACTORS The 's Home On The Web! The Home Page Daughters of the American Revolution - Chester County Chapter Home page of 2nd R.I. Reg. National Society, Sons of the American Revolution Charters of Freedom Exhibit 1st Maryland Regiment Infantry Second New York  7th Virginia American Longrifle Association .Antelope Valley Chapter NSDAR Black Warrior River , S.A R Brigade of the American Revolution Colonial Activities in the NewEngland Area  Col. Bailey's 2nd Mass. Regiment Connecticut Children of the Am. Revolution Connecticut, Sons of the AmRev (CTSSAR) Culpeper Minute Battalion Eric Miller's Homepage www.revwar.com http://members.aol.com/chucalissa/dar/memdar.htm      Re-enactor's Bulletin Board   Listing of the organizations involved in the hobby of re-enacting the American Revolutionary War within the United States.   Eric has composed an excellent collection of lessons and links. The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Maine Resources on Military Uniforms in The New York Public Library Has a selection of uniforms from the American Revolutionary Era on line. Revolutionary War.Com Michael Meals site: Information and links to sites about the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) era.  Revolutionary War Gallery Royal Irish Artillery Home Page The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Maine Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Maine SONS OF THE REVOLUTION WEB SITE The American Revolution   Comprehensive site - music, uniforms, flags battles, etc. American Revolution A Journey Towards Freedom A Tale of Two Revolutions About Lexington History AHA: American Revolution American Revolution - Outline American Revolution links Banned Books On-Line Birth of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Coaching a ThinkQuest Team Commodore Barry Early American History Interactive Crossword Puzzle Eric Miller's Homepage EXPLORE THE AMAZING WORLD OF EARLY AMERICA - Archiving Early America From Revolution to Reconstruction Georgia History-The American Revolution History Today History/Social Studies Web Site for K-12 Teachers Home Page: American Memory from the Library of Congress http://www.execpc.com/~...OLONIAL - REVOLUTIONARY ILTweb: LiveText: AHA Project Library Entry | American Wars Loyalist and British Songs Major American Wars (Startup) Making of America Maps of National Historic & Military Parks, Memorials, and Battlefields revwar dot com - LINKS PAGE Salem @ nationalgeographic.com The Pennsylvania Revolution The Thomas Paine National Historical Assoc. To the Revolution, 1700-1776 U.S. Historical Documents Archive USA: Outline of American History (1990) - 1 WebMuseum: Copley, John Singleton WebMuseum: West, Benjamin      WELCOME TO ARCHIVING EARLY AMERICA Comprehensive Documents Events K-12 Projects People Places Re-enactor Groups

Study Guide: Reviewing our War for Independence People, Places, Terms & Events you should be able to explain at the end of this Unit 1. John Adams 2. Ethan Allen 3. John Andre 4. Benedict Arnold 5. John Burgoyne 6. George Rogers Clark 7. Charles Cornwallis 8. William Dawes 9. John Dunlap 10. Bernardo de Galvez 11. Admiral de Grasse 12. Marquis de Lafayette 13. Comte de Rochambeau 14. Benjamin Franklin 15. Thomas Gage 16. Horatio Gates 17. George III, of England 18. Mary Katherine Goddard 19. Nathan Hale 20. John Hancock 21. Patrick Henry 22. William Howe 23. Thomas Hutchinson 24. John Jay 25. Thomas Jefferson 26. John Paul Jones 27. Thaddeus Kosciusko 28. Henry Laurens 29. Richard Henry Lee 30. Francis Marion 31.Richard Montgomery 32. Lord North 33. Thomas Paine 34. John Pitcairn 35. Molly Pitcher 36. Dr. Samuel Prescott 37Col. William Prescott 38. Casimir Pulaski 39. Paul Revere 40. Betsy Ross 41. Deborah Sampson 42. .....Solomon 43. Frederick vonSteuben 44. George Washington 45. Phyllis Wheatley 46. Boston 47. Breed's Hill 48. Bunker Hill .49. Concord 50. Lexington 51. Middle Colonies 52. Philadelphia 53. New England Colonies 54. New York 55. Saratoga 56. Southern Colonies 57. Ticonderoga 58. Valley Forge 59. blockade 60. Bonhomme Richard 61. Cavalry 62. Common Sense 63. Constitution 64. Crossing of the Delaware.. 65. Declaration of Independence 66. Green Mountain Boys 67. "I have not yet begun to fight" 68. "I regret that I have but one life to give for my country" 69. Independence Day 70. Loyalists 71. Mason Dixon Line 72. Mount Vernon 73. Neutral 74. Olive Branch Petition 75. Patriots 76. Poor Richard's Almanac 77. ratify 78. 2nd Continental Congress 79. "Stars and Stripes" 80. "summer soldier and the sunshine patriot" 81. "swamp fox" 82. Tories 83. Traitor 84. Treaty of Paris, 1783 85. West Point 86. "winter of despair" . .    Questions to Answer [include the source of your answer with each answer. Identify primary source materials as such when you use them] Comprehensive Documents Events K-12 Projects People Places Re-enactor Groups   1. What factors worked to keep the colonies separated. What factors served to unite them in the period leading up to the Revolutionary War? 2. Select one of the Thirteen Original Colonies, the one you would most have liked to live in. Explain your choice. A.. Draw a map of your colony as it existed in 1776. Identify the major settlements and cities, the major roads and waterways. B. List three reasons why you would have found life interesting there. [Use original source materials to validate your answer]. C. Identify five important citizens of your colony in the 1770's. Validate your choices from resource materials available. And write a brief biography of one of your colony's representatives to the Congressional Congress. 3.. You have ben asked to prepare a team of advance scouts for George Washington's troops. They must be experts on the Middle Atlantic terrain. They must be able to identify different European troops from a safe distance. They should be able to distinguish hostile American Indians from Friends and they need to be able to prepare maps which will look innocent if they are detained....... Prepare a training guide for them. 4.

Lesson plans using the Internet.

Primary (K-2)
What Was the American Revolution? (Gr. K-2) Lessons plans for primary student explains the  e George Washington and other leaders of our country, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Intermediate (3-5)
American Civilization Lesson Plans (Gr. K-6) Colonies, American Revolution, Westward Expansion, Civil War, etc.
The American Revolution (Gr. 5) The students will conduct interviews, have discussions and/or debates, role play events, or create biographies based on the events during the American Revolution. 
American Revolution and Art (Gr. 5) Review of basic elements of painting and "We the People".
The American Revolution: an Interdisciplinary Lesson (Gr. 4) Children will become immersed in all aspects of Colonial life during the time of the American Revolution as well as the war itself. 
The American Revolution: A Reading and Writing Adventure Back In Time (Gr. 4) 28 lessons where students will explore this topic by actively engaging in literature response groups, writerís workshop, and literacy centers. 
American Revolution Simulation (Gr. 4+) This fictional simulation brings the reality of many of the issues and grievances of the patriots.
The American Revolution - Valley Forge (Gr. 5+) This online activity has students visiting web sites on the Stamp Act, the Boston Tea Party and Valley Forge.
Colonial Williamsburg (Gr. 5) Lesson plans about the American Revolution. 
The Colonies and Independence (Gr. 3) This unit takes an interdisciplinary approach to the people and events leading to American Independence.
Curriculum Center: Celebrate America! (Gr. 4-6) Seven Internet based activities.
The Declaration of Independence (Gr. 5) Students will create a storyboard illustrating the sequence of events in the creation of the Declaration of Independence.
Early America (Gr. 4-5) Downloadable unit (.pdf file) on life in early America.
George Washington biography Students will understand how Washington developed the values, principles, and skills that made him an effective leader. 
"Hello, I Am Deborah Sampson" (Gr. 4-6) Students choose a historical figure from the Revolutionary War and become that figure. 
John Adams and the Boston Massacre (Gr. 5) Evaluate, in historical perspective, John Adams' difficult choices and discuss the high price that individuals often pay for doing what is right. 
Johnny Tremain: The Revolutionary War (Gr. 5+) Design a front page for a newspaper which Johnny might have delivered describing the events, causes, and issues of the day.
Life in Early America (Gr. 3) Students will explore the people, places, and events of life in the early settlements and colonies of the United States of America.
Paul Revere and the American Revolution (Gr. 4) Students will to compare colonial crafts with contemporary creations to make a paper quilt showing colonial crafts.
A "Revolting" Alphabet (Gr. 5) The students will collect descriptive words and terms related to the American Revolution through the use of the Internet and, in the process, review concepts and terms introduced in the social studies unit.
The Revolution Begins (Gr. 5) Students will write and perform a TV news report about events at Lexington and Concord.
Revolutionary War (Gr. 4) Provides a variety of ideas and activities for lessons on the American Revolution.
The Revolutionary War and Children's Literature (Gr. 3-8) Several activities dealing with the American Revolution.
Samuel's Choice (Gr. 5) Four lessons on the American Revolution based on the book "Samuel's Choice." 
You're Invited to the Boston Tea Party (Gr. 4-6) You are a reporter and have been assigned to write on the Boston Tea Party.
U.S. History and Geography: Making a New Nation (Gr. 5) Units on the Age of Exploration, Settling the Colonies, Independence and Westward Expansion.
What was the American Revolution? (Gr. 4) This unit introduces the students to the basic causes, experiences, and outcomes of the American Revolution and the creation of a new government (5 lessons).
U.S. History and Geography: Making a New Nation (Gr. 5) Units on the Age of Exploration, Settling the Colonies, War for Independence and Westward Expansion.

Middle School (6-8)
The American Revolution (Gr. 5-12 from IBM) Eight Internet activities.
Build Your Own Colony (Gr. 4-7) Create your own colony. Includes samples and web resources
Crossroads A comprehensive source of lesson plans on American History.
Hannibal's Lesson Plans (Gr. 8) Units on Native Americans, Colonial America and the American Revolution.
Johnny Tremain - Cyberguides (Gr. 5-8) Students will gain a better understanding of our American heritage in Boston, and the difficulties American patriots went through to achieve our independence.
What was the American Revolution? (Gr. 6-8) Lesson plans posed in seven questions/problems.

High School (9-12) 
The American Revolution (Gr. 5-12 from IBM) Eight Internet activities.
What Was the American Revolution? (Gr. 9-12) "If, as is often said, history is the study of change over time, then the American Revolution is an ideal case study for historical understanding."

Handouts

Crossword Puzzles
	The Early American History Interactive Crossword Puzzle Play or print out crossword puzzles. Thirteen Colonies

Word Search Puzzles
	American Revolution Washington

Web Based Activities

A Day in the Life Follow Thomas Jefferson through a day.
A Revolutionary Game A game from PBS Online.
American Revolution History Trivia 
Fun Zone One downloadable game and two Java based games.
George Washington An Internet Treasure Hunt Search through the www.mountvernon.org web site.
The Road to Independence (a simulation) You will act as the commander of the continental army (Java needed). 
The Road to the Revolution 
Virtual Marching Tour of the American Revolution Hypertext history, animated maps, paintings & drawings, etc.

TrackStar Activities (Gr. 3-5)
American Revolution (Gr. 3-5) See site and answer questions about the American Revolution.
The Founding of America
Project: The American Revolution
Project: The Star-Spangled Banner
The Revolutionary War
TrackStar Activities (Gr. 6-9)
The Revolutionary War
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