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[[Image:Rev collage.png|right|thumb|250px|Collage of four famous American Revolutionary War paintings]]

[[Image:Rev collage.png|right|thumb|250px|Collage of four famous American Revolutionary War paintings]]

The '''American Revolutionary War''' (1775-1783) was a war between [[Great Britain]] and their thirteen [[American]] colonies.  The leadership of the colonies decided to unite and attempt to gain their independence from Britain, largely due to high taxes levied by [[Parliament]] without adequate representation. The decision to reject British rule was not universal in the colonies.  Those that favored independence were called [[Patriot]]s and those that remained loyal to the throne were called [[Loyalist]]s. There was also a significant contingent that tried, for the most part, to remain neutral.  

The '''American Revolutionary War''' (1775-1783) was a war between [[Kingdom of Great Britain|Great Britain]] and their thirteen [[American]] colonies.  The leadership of the colonies decided to unite and attempt to gain their independence from Britain, largely due to high taxes levied by [[Parliament]] without adequate representation. The decision to reject British rule was not universal in the colonies.  Those that favored independence were called [[Patriot]]s and those that remained loyal to the throne were called [[Loyalist]]s. There was also a significant contingent that tried, for the most part, to remain neutral.  

[[Image:american-revolution-map.gif|thumb|250px|Map depicting the 13 colonies]]

[[Image:american-revolution-map.gif|thumb|250px|Map depicting the 13 colonies]]

== Origins of the Revolution ==

== Origins of the Revolution ==

Following a successful campaign by the British in the [[French and Indian War]], in which they conquered [[French]] lands east of the [[Mississippi River]], the British governement decided to enact new taxes on its [[North America]]n colonies to repay expenses for their defense.  The colonies were upset about this because they were not granted seats in Parlaiment, and the famous phrase '''''"No Taxation Without Representation"''''' became the battle cry of the colonists.  Also, since Britain had to fight the war to protect its colonists, the [[Proclamation of 1763]] was enacted. This drew a line down the peaks of the [[Appalachian Mountains]], dividing the area between colonial settlements and territory for Native Americans. This angered many colonists, as their brothers and fathers had just fought and died to earn the land from France. The British also began actively enforcing the [[Navigation Acts]], which they had been previously lax on, which subjected American imports to higher tarrifs.  The [[Stamp Act of 1765]], which required certain trade goods to be affixed with a tax stamp, added further fuel to the fire and led to the creation of the [[Sons of Liberty]], a patriot group which actively resisted British authority.  The British continued with their taxation policies with the [[Townshend Acts]], which lead to the infamous [[Boston Tea Party]] and the British response of closing Boston Harbor.

Following a successful campaign by the British in the [[French and Indian War]], in which they conquered [[French]] lands east of the [[Mississippi River]], the British government decided to enact new taxes on its [[North America]]n colonies to repay expenses for their defense.  The colonies were upset about this because they were not granted seats in Parliament, and the famous phrase '''''"No Taxation Without Representation"''''' became the battle cry of the colonists.  Also, since Britain had to fight the war to protect its colonists, the [[Proclamation of 1763]] was enacted. This drew a line down the peaks of the [[Appalachian Mountains]], dividing the area between colonial settlements and territory for Native Americans. This angered many colonists, as their brothers and fathers had just fought and died to earn the land from France. The British also began actively enforcing the [[Navigation Acts]], which they had been previously lax on, which subjected American imports to higher tarrifs.  The [[Stamp Act of 1765]], which required certain trade goods to be affixed with a tax stamp, added further fuel to the fire and led to the creation of the [[Sons of Liberty]], a patriot group which actively resisted British authority.  The British continued with their taxation policies with the [[Townshend Acts]], which lead to the infamous [[Boston Tea Party]] and the British response of closing Boston Harbor.

Relations were strained further, when in March of 1770, there was an altercation between British soldiers and a colonial mob that resulted in the death of five colonists.  This became known as the [[Boston Massacre]].

Relations were strained further, when in March of 1770, there was an altercation between British soldiers and a colonial mob that resulted in the death of five colonists.  This became known as the [[Boston Massacre]].