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American Revolution Video Guide

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American Revolution Video Guide

This guide includes its own historical reading, so you do not need a video or other resource. Read the passage, study the timeline, and answer each question using evidence from the page. The American Revolution lasted from 1775 to 1783.

A Revolution Takes Shape

In the 1760s and early 1770s, Britain taxed its North American colonies and tightened its control. Many colonists objected because they had no representatives in the British Parliament. Some colonists, called Patriots, wanted the colonies to govern themselves. Others, called Loyalists, remained loyal to Britain. Many people tried to avoid war, and colonists did not all agree. In April 1775, fighting broke out at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. Local militia—ordinary citizens organized to defend their communities—faced British troops. At the Battle of Bunker Hill in June, the British captured the hill near Boston, but suffered heavy losses. The battle showed that colonial forces could fight effectively, even against trained soldiers. In July 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted a declaration announcing that the colonies considered themselves free and self-governing states. The war continued. In 1777, the American victory at Saratoga helped persuade France to become an American ally. French money, soldiers, and naval support later helped the Americans. In 1781, American and French forces surrounded a British army at Yorktown, Virginia. The British surrender there was a decisive turning point. The 1783 Treaty of Paris formally ended the war and recognized the United States as a separate nation. Messages mattered throughout the conflict. Riders and letters carried news between towns, while newspapers and pamphlets shared arguments and reports. Paul Revere and William Dawes rode to warn communities that British troops were moving toward Concord in April 1775. Revere’s famous warning is often paraphrased as “The British are coming,” though the exact words are uncertain. Benjamin Franklin, serving as a diplomat in France, helped win French support. The Turtle, designed by David Bushnell, was an early one-person submarine used in an unsuccessful attempt to attach an explosive to a British ship.

Follow the Turning Points

Use this timeline as evidence for Questions 1–3.

1775 Fighting begins at Lexington and Concord; Battle of Bunker Hill

1776 Declaration adopted, announcing the colonies’ freedom from British rule

1777 American victory at Saratoga helps bring French support

1781 British army surrenders at Yorktown

1783 Treaty of Paris recognizes the United States as a separate nation and ends the war

Show What You Know

Answer from the reading and timeline. For written responses, explain your thinking in complete sentences.

1.Which event came first: the adoption of the 1776 declaration or the Battle of Bunker Hill? Use the timeline to name the earlier event.

2.A museum label says, “At Bunker Hill, the British won the hill, so the battle proved the colonists could not fight.” Which correction best matches the reading?

The British captured the hill, but suffered heavy losses, showing colonial forces could fight effectively.
The colonists captured the hill and ended the war that day.
France captured the hill before joining the war.
The battle took place after the Treaty of Paris.

3.Match each term to its meaning. Write the correct letter beside each term. 1. Patriot 2. Loyalist 3. Militia 4. Blockade A. A group of local citizens organized to defend their community B. A colonist who supported the colonies’ self-rule C. An effort to prevent people or supplies from entering or leaving an area D. A colonist who remained loyal to Britain

1. Patriot
2. Loyalist
3. Militia
4. Blockade

D. A colonist who remained loyal to Britain
C. An effort to prevent people or supplies from entering or leaving an area
B. A colonist who supported the colonies’ self-rule
A. A group of local citizens organized to defend their community

4.Complete the idea: A revolution is a major change in government or power. In the American Revolution, the colonies fought to gain from Britain.

5.Why was the American victory at Saratoga important to the Patriot cause?

It helped persuade France to support the Americans.
It immediately ended the war and created the Treaty of Paris.
It convinced the colonies to remain loyal to Britain.
It was where Paul Revere designed the Turtle.

6.Select every way people shared important information during the Revolution, according to the reading.

Riders on horseback
Letters
Newspapers and pamphlets
Television broadcasts

7.Who rode to warn communities about British troops moving toward Concord, and what important detail about the familiar warning phrase does the reading explain?

8.The Turtle was an early submarine designed by David Bushnell. True or false: It successfully sank a British ship.

TrueFalse

9.Benjamin Franklin served as a diplomat in France. Explain one way his work helped the American cause.

10.Put these events in order from earliest to latest by writing 1–4 beside them: ___ Treaty of Paris; ___ 1776 declaration; ___ fighting at Lexington and Concord; ___ surrender at Yorktown.

11.A class is creating a short exhibit called “How the Patriots gained support.” Use two details from the reading to explain how communication and alliances helped the Patriot cause. Include at least one person or event by name.