American Revolution

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Barbara J. Feldman

After Britain's expensive victory in the French and Indian War of 1754 - 1763, the crown decided to recoup some of the costs of defending the colonies by taxing the colonists. The colonists were outraged at the tax, but unlike their British counterparts, had no elected representatives in Parliament. "Taxation without representation is tyranny," became a battle cry. Each year at this time, we celebrate the colonists' victory and the birth of our nation. Happy Independence Day!

The American Revolution

4 stars

Nicely organized into Battles, Important People, Historical Events, Historical Documents and a Timeline, this site has lots of concise American Revolution information for homework and school reports. Best clicks are transcripts of many primary source documents, such as George Washington's first inaugural address and Patrick Henry's famous "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech.

Loyalty or Liberty?

5 stars

It's the summer of 1775, and you are a slave belonging to a staunch Loyalist. As you travel through this text-based role-playing game, you will gather secrets from both the Patriots and Loyalists. Your mission is to gather as much information as you can from both sides of the conflict, and to take a position. As a black slave, is it in your best interest to support the revolutionary ideas of the Patriots, or to back the King's rule?

The History Place: American Revolution

4 stars

This easy-to-peruse time line starts with the early explorers ("1000 A.D. - Leif Ericson, a Viking seaman, explores the east coast of North America and sights Newfoundland, establishing a short-lived settlement there.") and continues to the early years of our new nation ("July 10, 1790 - The House of Representatives votes to locate the national capital on a ten square-mile site along the Potomac, with President George Washington choosing the exact location.") Don't miss their Five Tips on writing a better history report.

Liberty! The American Revolution

5 stars

"It's 1763. You're a basically happy, content colonist in North America. British and proud of it. The French and Indian War has just ended. Peace reigns on the continent. What did Great Britain create, in 1765, that put you on The Road to Revolution?" So begins the interactive game that puts you in the middle of the revolutionary action. Other fabulous clicks are Perspectives on Liberty (a clickable view of daily colonial life) and Chronicle of the Revolution.

Virtual Marching Tour of the American Revolution

5 stars

In late July 1777 "the largest [British] armada ever assembled in America set sail off of Sandy Hook, New Jersey. It was carrying 17,000 British soldiers and sailors in over 260 ships. The armada was headed for an attack on the capital city of Philadelphia. They underwent a distressful thirty-four day sea-trek. The voyage took its toll in lost time, seasick soldiers, and scores of dead horses. Washington's troops started in northern New Jersey and shadowed the movement of the British fleet." Starting with an excellent backgrounder on the events that spurred the colonists to revolt, this virtual marching tour provides a battle-by-battle view of the war.