American Revolution

Definition

The American Revolution was a political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America.

Related terms

Declaration of Independence: This is a document that was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. It announced that the thirteen American colonies were now independent states and no longer under British rule.

Boston Tea Party: An act of defiance toward the British government by American colonists; they threw shipments of tea into Boston harbor as protest against taxes.

Continental Congress: A convention of delegates from twelve of the thirteen New England colonies that became the governing body during the American Revolution.