The American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) was a long and bitter conflict fought between Great Britain and its rebellious thirteen colonies, which were struggling for independence as a new nation, the United States of America. The Americans ultimately prevailed, but only after eight years of warfare, approximately 250 battles and skirmishes, and 25,000-70,000 wartime dead.
This collection examines 20 of the most significant battles of the American Revolution. From the 'shot heard round the world' on Lexington Green to the bloodbath on Breed's (Bunker) Hill; from the Continental Army's 'darkest hour' after Long Island to Washington's resilient successes at Trenton and Princeton; from the turning point at Saratoga to Nathanael Greene's 'war of posts' in the South and, finally, to the ultimate American victory at Yorktown. These battles should not only be of interest to students of military history but also to those who wish to understand the origins of the United States. How did an army of untrained, undisciplined provincials defeat one of the greatest militaries in the world? What were the strategies used by Washington, Greene, and other revolutionary and British generals? What part did the French alliance play in the conflict, or Britain's German auxiliary troops? These questions, and more, can be answered in the articles below, which will hopefully give the reader a better picture of the long and painful birth of the United States.
