The American Revolution Chapter Notes | Social Studies for Grade 4 PDF Download

Introduction

The American Revolution was a time when people in the Thirteen Colonies in America decided they wanted to be free from British rule. They were tired of following Britain's rules and paying taxes without having a say in how things were run. This led to a big fight for freedom, where the colonists worked together to create a new country called the United States of America. In this chapter, we will learn about how the colonies were ruled, why people got upset, and how they fought to win their independence.

The Thirteen Colonies under British Rule

The Thirteen Colonies were areas in North America where people from Britain lived.

• These colonies were along the east coast, from Massachusetts to Georgia.
• Each colony had its own government, but they all followed rules from the British king.
• The king chose governors to lead the colonies and make sure they obeyed British laws.
• Colonists grew crops, traded goods, and built towns, but they had to send money and resources to Britain.
• Many colonists were happy at first, but some felt Britain was too controlling.
• People in the colonies wanted more freedom to make their own decisions.

New British Taxes

Britain needed money after fighting a war called the French and Indian War.

• They decided to tax the Thirteen Colonies to get more money.
• The Sugar Act of 1764 made colonists pay taxes on sugar and other goods.
• The Stamp Act of 1765 made people pay a tax on paper things like newspapers and legal papers.
• Colonists were angry because they had no one in the British government to speak for them.
• They said, "No taxation without representation," which meant they wanted a say in taxes.
• People started to protest and refused to buy British goods to show they were upset.

The Boston Tea Party

In 1773, Britain passed the Tea Act, which taxed tea sold in the colonies.

• Colonists loved tea, but they did not want to pay the new tax.
• In Boston, a group called the Sons of Liberty decided to protest.
• On December 16, 1773, colonists dressed as Native Americans went to Boston Harbor.
• They climbed onto British ships and threw 342 chests of tea into the water.
• This event became known as the Boston Tea Party.
• Britain was very angry and passed strict laws to punish Boston, called the Intolerable Acts.

The Rebellion Begins

• The Intolerable Acts made colonists even angrier at Britain.
• In 1774, leaders from the colonies met at the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia.
  • They talked about how to stand up to Britain and protect their rights.
• Colonists started forming militias, which were groups of people ready to fight.
• In April 1775, British soldiers went to Concord, Massachusetts, to take colonial weapons.
  • Colonists, called minutemen, fought the British at Lexington and Concord.
  • These battles were the first fights of the American Revolution.

Preparing for War

• After the battles at Lexington and Concord, the colonies knew war was coming.
• In 1775, the Second Continental Congress met to plan for the fight.
• They created the Continental Army to fight against the British.
• George Washington was chosen to lead the Continental Army as its commander.
• Colonists started training soldiers and gathering weapons and supplies.
• Some colonists, called Patriots, wanted independence, while others, called Loyalists, stayed loyal to Britain.
• The colonies worked together to get ready for a long war.

Struggle for Independence

• In 1776, the Continental Congress decided to declare independence from Britain.
• Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, which explained why the colonies wanted to be free.
• On July 4, 1776, the colonies officially announced they were a new country, the United States of America.
• The war continued with battles like Bunker Hill and Saratoga.
• The Continental Army faced many challenges, like cold winters and not enough food or supplies.
• Some colonies got help from other countries, like France, who sent soldiers and ships.
• Colonists kept fighting because they believed in their dream of freedom.

Turning the Tide of the War

• The war was hard, but the colonists started to win important battles.
• In 1777, the Battle of Saratoga was a big victory for the Continental Army.
• This win convinced France to join the war and help the colonists fight Britain.
• France sent money, weapons, and soldiers to support the American cause.
• George Washington trained his army to fight better, even during tough times like the winter at Valley Forge.
• By 1781, the colonists and French trapped the British army at Yorktown, Virginia.
• The Battle of Yorktown was a huge win and made Britain start to give up.

Conclusion and Aftermath

• In 1781, after losing at Yorktown, Britain decided to stop fighting.
• In 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed, officially ending the war.
• The treaty said the United States was a free and independent country.
• The Thirteen Colonies became the first states of the United States of America.
• People started working to build a new government for their country.
• The American Revolution inspired other countries to fight for their own freedom.
• The new nation faced challenges, like creating laws and bringing people together, but they were proud of their independence.