PBS
Pbs: Free Black Revolutionary Patriots
Describes free African Americans who fought in the American Revolution. Also find related text: "Colin Powell on blacks fighting during the Revolutionary War," and a Teacher's Guide.
PBS
Pbs: Liberty!
This site from PBS provides background information on the Revolutionary War, along with a photo essay and game.
Ibis Communications
Eyewitness to History: The Execution of Nathan Hale
Features background details on Nathan Hale and a narrative on what led to his execution in 1776.
A&E Television
Biography: James Armistead (C. 1748 C. 1830)
Biography of James Armistead [Lafayete] who was born into slavery in Virginia and later became a famous American spy during the War for Independence.
Library of Virginia
Virginia Memory: Manumission Petition for James Lafayette
For what service during the American Revolution was James Lafayette awarded his freedom? Students investigate what events led to James Lafayette, a slave, winning his freedom.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The War Experience: Soldiers, Officers, and Civiliams
It's a miracle American won the American Revolution. Read about the difficulty in raising and maintaining a professional fighting force. Also find out about the antagonism between the soldiers and civilians. Congress seemed unwilling to...
Curated OER
National Park Service: The Battle of Cowpens
Find an excellent description of this important "turning point" battle that led to the victory at Yorktown. Important terms and names of people and places are hyperlinked to the glossary for additional explanation.
Read Works
Read Works: u.s. Presidents John Adams
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about John Adams, the second president of the United States. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Colonization & Revolutionary War: Valley Forge
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about Valley Forge and the American Revolution. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Non Colonists in the American Revolution
[Free Registration/Login Required] This ReadWorks passage gives information about the roles of some French, Native Americans, Hessians, and Polish citizens during the American Revolution. A question sheet is available to help students...
A&E Television
History.com: American Presidents: George Washington
This easy-to-navigate site has George Washington's biography, significant events in his life, an image gallery, and video clips.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Mount Vernon and the Dilemma of a Revolutionary Slave Holder
Read about George Washington's dependence on slaves to increase his wealth, and his private views on slavery. What were the possibilites had he expressed these views in public?
Black Past
Black Past: Forten, James (1766 1842)
An encyclopedia article about James Forten, a free black man, who fought in the Revolutionary War, and later became a supporter of abolition and suffrage.
Other
Patterson: Sybil Ludington
A short biography of Sybil Ludington, known as the female Paul Revere. Sybil helped her father alert his troops of the attack on Danbury during the Revolutionary War.
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: George Washington
Explore the life of George Washington (1732-1799 CE) through this site.
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: The American Revolution: Victory
This resource has a lesson plan on the origins of the Purple Heart medal, which is given to any soldier wounded in the line of duty. The medal was established by George Washington and is the oldest American medal.
Other
General George Washington in Massachusetts, 1775 76 [Pdf]
A thematic unit using primary sources to tell the life and military career of George Washington.
Other
British Battles: The Battle of Yorktown 1781
The British called the Americans rebels! But in the end, had to surrender to them. Read the exciting account, complete with artwork and facts, of this famous battle that led to the independence of the American states.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1754 1800: Lexington and Concord
AN overview of the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: Revolutionary War Turning Points: Saratoga and Valley Forge
The resources here, including letters, lithographs, official documents, and maps, document the Revolutionary War battles of Saratoga and Valley Forge.
Curated OER
Infantry: Continental Army. Lc Uszc4 2135
This online catalog offers thousands of primary source photographs and prints from around the world.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Alexander Martin
An entry on the life of Alexander Martin, who served briefly in the Continental Army. He was later tried for cowardice, was acquitted but resigned shortly afterward. This did not hurt his political career, however. He was a delegate to...
Other
Campaign Journal of a [Colonial] Militiaman
Some excerpts from the Journal of William Houston written during the American Revolution. Houston served in the Continental Army and would later serve as a delegate from New Jersey to the Constitutional Convention.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The March to Germantown 1777
This site from US History.org provides a brief description of the British capture of Philadelphia and The Continental Army's defeat at nearby Germantown, Pennsylvania.