the war of american independence essay

The War of Independence in the United States Essay

The War of Independence in the United States which started in 1775 and lasted till 1783 resulted in great liberation of many states within the country from the colonial rule of the British Empire (Krieger 53). The war started as a resistance towards payment of taxes, it became a protest before escalating to boycotts. The British authorities responded by closing Boston port and putting restriction as a way of punishing the locals (Koonings 12). A group of freedom fighters calling themselves Patriots formed their own government in Boston to coordinate the activities of the locals.

Twelve colonies supported this new movement and together they formed Continental Congress. This was a group of civilians and militia willing and ready to liberate their country from the colonial powers through any way possible. As the War of Independence gained momentum, the liberators realized that although the military played the main role in fighting the colonial masters, it was important to maintain civilian control over them because of the desire to have a democratic government other than a dictatorial rule of the military. In this paper, the researcher will look at how civilian control of the military was established and maintained throughout the War of Independence and after (Forsythe 38).

Civilian control of the military was established at the initial stages of the war. The revolution was started by civil groups who were dissatisfied by the way British government was governing the country. At first, their actions did not involve the use of force hence there was no need for a military group. It then turned into protests and boycotts to destruction of properties. The revolutionists then realized that they needed military force to drive away the colonial masters (Masciulli 42). The first step that was made to ensure that the military remained under the rule of civilians was the appointment of General George Washington as to head the militia group. The military general knew that he was exercising authority given to him by the civilians.

During the war, General Washington had to consult Continental Congress- a body of civilian rulers- when making important decisions. This helped in installing a civilian leadership during the war. The militias knew that they derived their authority from the masses who wanted to gain independence from the colonial masters. They knew that they were working on behalf of the citizens of the United States (Marston 81). Their interest when engaging in the war was to achieve victory for the people and to establish a rule for the locals. The Continental Congress gave Washington powers to command the military and to ensure that the country was liberated from the colonial rule, but he did this based on the regulations given to him by the Congress.

After the War of Independence, important precedents were set to ensure that there was civilian control of the military. The country gained independence and elected a president in a democratic election. The constitution stipulated that the president of the United States of America had to be a civilian. This means that if a military officer wanted to vie for a political position, he had to resign and become a civilian (Chartrand 89). The constitution also made the civilian president the commander-in-chief, giving him full control over the military. The supremacy of the civilian president over military commanders was demonstrated when President Harry Truman terminated the command of celebrated General Douglas MacArthur’s command.

Works Cited

Chartrand, Rene. American War of Independence Commanders . New York: Osprey Publishing, 2013. Print.

Forsythe, David. Encyclopedia of Human Rights: Vol. 5 . Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009. Print.

Koonings, Kees. Political Armies: The Military and Nation Building in the Age of Democracy . New York: Zed Books, 2013. Print.

Krieger, Joel. The Oxford Companion to Politics of the World . New York: Oxford University Press, 2011. Print.

Marston, Daniel. The American Revolution 1774-1783 . Oxford: Osprey Publishing Limited, 2012. Print.

Masciulli, Joseph. The Ashgate Research Companion to Political Leadership . Farnham: Ashgate Publishing, 2009. Print.

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Revolutionary War

By: History.com Editors

Updated: August 11, 2023 | Original: October 29, 2009

The Revolutionary War (1775-83), also known as the American Revolution, arose from growing tensions between residents of Great Britain’s 13 North American colonies and the colonial government, which represented the British crown.

Skirmishes between British troops and colonial militiamen in Lexington and Concord in April 1775 kicked off the armed conflict, and by the following summer, the rebels were waging a full-scale war for their independence.

France entered the American Revolution on the side of the colonists in 1778, turning what had essentially been a civil war into an international conflict. After French assistance helped the Continental Army force the British surrender at Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781, the Americans had effectively won their independence, though fighting did not formally end until 1783.

Causes of the Revolutionary War

For more than a decade before the outbreak of the American Revolution in 1775, tensions had been building between colonists and the British authorities.

The French and Indian War , or Seven Years’ War (1756-1763), brought new territories under the power of the crown, but the expensive conflict lead to new and unpopular taxes. Attempts by the British government to raise revenue by taxing the colonies (notably the Stamp Act of 1765, the Townshend Acts of 1767 and the Tea Act of 1773) met with heated protest among many colonists, who resented their lack of representation in Parliament and demanded the same rights as other British subjects. 

Colonial resistance led to violence in 1770, when British soldiers opened fire on a mob of colonists, killing five men in what was known as the Boston Massacre . After December 1773, when a band of Bostonians altered their appearance to hide their identity boarded British ships and dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor during the Boston Tea Party , an outraged Parliament passed a series of measures (known as the Intolerable, or Coercive Acts ) designed to reassert imperial authority in Massachusetts .

Did you know? Now most famous as a traitor to the American cause, General Benedict Arnold began the Revolutionary War as one of its earliest heroes, helping lead rebel forces in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga in May 1775.

In response, a group of colonial delegates (including George Washington of Virginia , John and Samuel Adams of Massachusetts, Patrick Henry of Virginia and John Jay of New York ) met in Philadelphia in September 1774 to give voice to their grievances against the British crown. This First Continental Congress did not go so far as to demand independence from Britain, but it denounced taxation without representation, as well as the maintenance of the British army in the colonies without their consent. It issued a declaration of the rights due every citizen, including life, liberty, property, assembly and trial by jury. The Continental Congress voted to meet again in May 1775 to consider further action, but by that time violence had already broken out. 

On the night of April 18, 1775, hundreds of British troops marched from Boston to nearby Concord, Massachusetts in order to seize an arms cache. Paul Revere and other riders sounded the alarm, and colonial militiamen began mobilizing to intercept the Redcoats. On April 19, local militiamen clashed with British soldiers in the Battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts, marking the “shot heard round the world” that signified the start of the Revolutionary War. 

HISTORY Vault: The Revolution

From the roots of the rebellion to the adoption of the U.S. Constitution, explore this pivotal era in American history through sweeping cinematic recreations.

Declaring Independence (1775-76)

When the Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia, delegates—including new additions Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson —voted to form a Continental Army, with Washington as its commander in chief. On June 17, in the Revolution’s first major battle, colonial forces inflicted heavy casualties on the British regiment of General William Howe at Breed’s Hill in Boston. The engagement, known as the Battle of Bunker Hill , ended in British victory, but lent encouragement to the revolutionary cause. 

Throughout that fall and winter, Washington’s forces struggled to keep the British contained in Boston, but artillery captured at Fort Ticonderoga in New York helped shift the balance of that struggle in late winter. The British evacuated the city in March 1776, with Howe and his men retreating to Canada to prepare a major invasion of New York.

By June 1776, with the Revolutionary War in full swing, a growing majority of the colonists had come to favor independence from Britain. On July 4 , the Continental Congress voted to adopt the Declaration of Independence , drafted by a five-man committee including Franklin and John Adams but written mainly by Jefferson. That same month, determined to crush the rebellion, the British government sent a large fleet, along with more than 34,000 troops to New York. In August, Howe’s Redcoats routed the Continental Army on Long Island; Washington was forced to evacuate his troops from New York City by September. Pushed across the Delaware River , Washington fought back with a surprise attack in Trenton, New Jersey , on Christmas night and won another victory at Princeton to revive the rebels’ flagging hopes before making winter quarters at Morristown.

Saratoga: Revolutionary War Turning Point (1777-78)

British strategy in 1777 involved two main prongs of attack aimed at separating New England (where the rebellion enjoyed the most popular support) from the other colonies. To that end, General John Burgoyne’s army marched south from Canada toward a planned meeting with Howe’s forces on the Hudson River . Burgoyne’s men dealt a devastating loss to the Americans in July by retaking Fort Ticonderoga, while Howe decided to move his troops southward from New York to confront Washington’s army near the Chesapeake Bay. The British defeated the Americans at Brandywine Creek, Pennsylvania , on September 11 and entered Philadelphia on September 25. Washington rebounded to strike Germantown in early October before withdrawing to winter quarters near Valley Forge .

Howe’s move had left Burgoyne’s army exposed near Saratoga, New York, and the British suffered the consequences of this on September 19, when an American force under General Horatio Gates defeated them at Freeman’s Farm in the first Battle of Saratoga . After suffering another defeat on October 7 at Bemis Heights (the Second Battle of Saratoga), Burgoyne surrendered his remaining forces on October 17. The American victory Saratoga would prove to be a turning point of the American Revolution, as it prompted France (which had been secretly aiding the rebels since 1776) to enter the war openly on the American side, though it would not formally declare war on Great Britain until June 1778. The American Revolution, which had begun as a civil conflict between Britain and its colonies, had become a world war.

Stalemate in the North, Battle in the South (1778-81)

During the long, hard winter at Valley Forge, Washington’s troops benefited from the training and discipline of the Prussian military officer Baron Friedrich von Steuben (sent by the French) and the leadership of the French aristocrat Marquis de Lafayette . On June 28, 1778, as British forces under Sir Henry Clinton (who had replaced Howe as supreme commander) attempted to withdraw from Philadelphia to New York, Washington’s army attacked them near Monmouth, New Jersey. The battle effectively ended in a draw, as the Americans held their ground, but Clinton was able to get his army and supplies safely to New York. On July 8, a French fleet commanded by the Comte d’Estaing arrived off the Atlantic coast, ready to do battle with the British. A joint attack on the British at Newport, Rhode Island , in late July failed, and for the most part the war settled into a stalemate phase in the North.

The Americans suffered a number of setbacks from 1779 to 1781, including the defection of General Benedict Arnold to the British and the first serious mutinies within the Continental Army. In the South, the British occupied Georgia by early 1779 and captured Charleston, South Carolina in May 1780. British forces under Lord Charles Cornwallis then began an offensive in the region, crushing Gates’ American troops at Camden in mid-August, though the Americans scored a victory over Loyalist forces at King’s Mountain in early October. Nathanael Green replaced Gates as the American commander in the South that December. Under Green’s command, General Daniel Morgan scored a victory against a British force led by Colonel Banastre Tarleton at Cowpens, South Carolina, on January 17, 1781.

Revolutionary War Draws to a Close (1781-83)

By the fall of 1781, Greene’s American forces had managed to force Cornwallis and his men to withdraw to Virginia’s Yorktown peninsula, near where the York River empties into Chesapeake Bay. Supported by a French army commanded by General Jean Baptiste de Rochambeau, Washington moved against Yorktown with a total of around 14,000 soldiers, while a fleet of 36 French warships offshore prevented British reinforcement or evacuation. Trapped and overpowered, Cornwallis was forced to surrender his entire army on October 19. Claiming illness, the British general sent his deputy, Charles O’Hara, to surrender; after O’Hara approached Rochambeau to surrender his sword (the Frenchman deferred to Washington), Washington gave the nod to his own deputy, Benjamin Lincoln, who accepted it.

Though the movement for American independence effectively triumphed at the Battle of Yorktown , contemporary observers did not see that as the decisive victory yet. British forces remained stationed around Charleston, and the powerful main army still resided in New York. Though neither side would take decisive action over the better part of the next two years, the British removal of their troops from Charleston and Savannah in late 1782 finally pointed to the end of the conflict. British and American negotiators in Paris signed preliminary peace terms in Paris late that November, and on September 3, 1783, Great Britain formally recognized the independence of the United States in the Treaty of Paris . At the same time, Britain signed separate peace treaties with France and Spain (which had entered the conflict in 1779), bringing the American Revolution to a close after eight long years.

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Introduction to the American Revolution (1775–1783)

The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) resulted from a conflict between the British government and British subjects living in the thirteen American colonies. Between the years 1764 and 1774, the crown and his majesty’s legislature passed a number of tax measures, which the colonists fiercely opposed. Outspoken American leaders took a principled position against taxes because the government that created the laws offered no representation for those being taxed. At the time, only propertied, upper-class men could vote in England and in most elections within America. But even the American voting class could not express on ballots their views on the actions of Parliament.

“No taxation without representation” became the mantra for colonists. The British government responded unapologetically. The king and members of Parliament held that the colonists were virtually represented like most British citizens residing throughout the British Isles . That is, fewer than ten percent of men living in the mother country could legally vote. But when Parliament passed laws, Britons contended that it considered the best interests of those without a vote.

Colonists organized opposition to English rule. In Boston, revolutionaries created the Sons of Liberty , an opposition group that began several chapters in cities throughout the colonies. Respected leaders from Philadelphia, like Benjamin Franklin , began to speak for the cause. Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson, both from Virginia, became vocal against the British lawmakers.

These men followed ideas proposed by philosophers from the Enlightenment, including John Locke . One Lockean concept that became synonymous with the American cause was that government may not justly take life, liberty, or property without the consent of the governed. The idea made its way into the Declaration of Independence , the Bill of Rights , and several state constitutions.

After the Port of Boston was closed to punish the Boston Tea Party protesters, delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies met in September 1774 at the First Continental Congress to respond. By the spring of 1775, the British army was an ever-present force in the colonies. In an attempt to seize American weapons near Boston, British soldiers and colonial minutemen fought at the battles of Lexington and Concord . A Second Continental Congress met in May 1775 and established the Continental Army under George Washington . After the battle of Bunker Hill the following month, colonial leaders offered the Olive Branch Petition for peace to King George. It was rejected.

The fledgling Congress commissioned a committee of five men to draft an official statement of its position. The Declaration of Independence signaled the separation from the monarchy and the creation of a new nation dubbed the United States of America.

The world was surprised when this infant nation of militiamen overpowered one of the finest armies in the world. Most of the fighting ended after the British defeat at the Battle of Yorktown in 1781. The Treaty of Paris officially ended the war in 1783. The United States began operating under the Articles of Confederation before the war was over. In 1789, a stronger union was created with the ratification of the Constitution. The Bill of Rights , ratified in 1791, guarantees Americans many of the liberties that Britain had failed to recognize.

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The American Revolutionary War, Essay Example

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The American Revolutionary War, also referred to as the American War of Independence, was commenced by the thirteen American protectorates’ delegates in opposition to Great Britain. The thirteen colonies objected to the congress’s taxation guidelines and the absence of colonial representatives. The conflicts between expatriate militiamen and British multitudes started in April 1775 in Lexington. Before beginning the preceding summer, the protesters had instigated an all-out war to gain their liberation. The French offered their support to the Continental militia and compelled the British to capitulate in 1781 at Yorktown, Virginia. Although the Americans successfully achieved their liberation, the War did not officially conclude till 1783. The War was deemed an internal battle within the Great Britain Empire until 1778, after which it advanced to a global war and involved other nations[1]. The initial objective of the American colonists was to gain control of their affairs, particularly tax regulations. The Britain Empire had the most control over the thirteen colonies’ affairs until 1776 when the American colonies attained independence[2]. However, the War lasted until 1783 and turned out with British multitudes losing influence on the colonies due to their incompetence. This paper looks at the reasons as to why the American War of Independence turned out the way it did.

The American colonies believed that the British administration’s role was to safeguard their liberties and freedoms. However, after the Indian and French War, the colonists began experiencing several occasions of violation of their sovereignty and privileges by the British government. The lack of colonist representatives within the parliament made them believe that they were not eligible for taxation. This was because British citizens were granted the liberty to choose their parliamentary representatives who had the power to vote on suggested taxes. The revolution’s progression resulted in a government’s formation by the Americans founded on the Confederation Articles’ provisions, which received ratification in 1781. The formulated government provided for individual states’ creation since most Americans did not believe in a robust centralized authority as they were fighting for liberation from Great Britain. The notion established by this provision was to retain power and prevent their subjection to effective controls separate from their states. However, this governmental regime proved to be incompetent and resulted in the Constitutional Convention in 1787 in Philadelphia.

During the onset of the War, the British had more militiamen in their troops. The armed forces’ growth was slow initially. After the Prime Minister, Lord North, received information on French troops’ augmentation, more individuals were recruited and added to existing units. However, the effort made by the British military changed drastically after the French involvement in the War[3]. A common belief on why Britain lost to the American colonies is due to their overconfidence and arrogance. However, the British army knew how tough it would be to conquer the rebellion. They had no particular hope of overcoming America due to the territory’s largeness and the meager nature of attainable resources. Given this, they established a tactic that they anticipated would produce disproportionate outcomes due to diligent efforts. This plan was referred to as the Hudson strategy since it integrated activities across the Hudson River, which runs up to Canada from New York. The British army anticipated to separate New England rebels from the southern and Middle colonies that were moderate. Britain was of the view that such isolation would strangle the American rebels’ right to submission[4]. The main setback was the poor execution of the plan and not the strategy itself. The outstanding leadership skills portrayed by George Washington and the British leader’s strategic errors promoted the conquest of the American colonies.

The British tactic aimed at destroying the Northern rebellion, and they came close to defeating the Continental militiamen several times. However, the triumphs at Princeton and Trenton in 1776 and the beginning of 1777 reestablished patriotic expectations. Further, the Saratoga triumph, which stopped the British from advancing from Canada, resulted in a French intervention in the colonies’ support[5]. The beginning of the War saw the absence of an expert army for the American colonies. The militiamen were casually armed, underwent slight training, and lacked uniforms. The militia units occasionally served and did not go through adequate training nor learn the discipline expected from skilled soldiers. Furthermore, native militias were hesitant to leave their homes, thus making them unreachable for comprehensive operations. The continental army endured drastically due to the absence of efficient training schedules and inexperienced sergeants and officers.

The British army had successfully operated in America before the Revolutionary War. It was tempting for the British to assume that similar logistics would apply during the American Revolution. There were differences in the British structure of logistical management[6]. The logistics during the eighteenth century were accountable to several executive sectors, including the Navy Board, the War Office, and the Board of Ordnance. However, the most considerable portion of accountability rested on the treasury. The revolution onset collapsed this system drastically. An example of patriotic boards’ action was cutting off the provisions intended for the Boston army. This significantly impacted their involvement in the War. The situation made it necessary for the British military to seek Europe’s assistance since preserving massive armed forces over great distances was largely difficult. It would take three months for ships to convey across the Atlantic Ocean; thus, briefings emanating from London were mostly nonoperational when they arrived. Before the War, American colonies were autonomous political and socio-economic entities and lacked a distinct region of definitive strategic significance. This illustrates that a city’s collapse in America did not stop wars all the more so after the forfeiture of main commune areas such as New York, Charleston, and Philadelphia.

The British influence relied on the Noble Navy, whose supremacy allowed for their resupply of expeditionary powers while averting admittance to adversary ports. However, most of the American populace was agricultural, received France’s support, and barricade runners grounded within the Dutch Caribbean, hence protecting their economy. The American colonies’ terrestrial extent and inadequate human resources indicated the British incompetence to concurrently carry out military processes and inhabit the region while lacking local maintenance. The campaign held in 1775 portrayed how Britain overrated their troops’ capabilities and undervalued the colonial militiamen, making it necessary to reassess their strategies and tactics. However, it guaranteed the Patriots an opportunity to undertake resourcefulness, which led to the rapid loss of British influence over most colonies.

Several intercontinental contexts of the American Revolution contributed to its outcomes. The first context was Britain’s political agenda[7]. The British avoided the intervention of foreign states during the War since it would lower their chances of conquering the battle. They isolated themselves from other allies since they could not afford to reimburse them[8]. Additionally, Britain was becoming extremely powerful and failed to locate partners who would threaten the Spanish or French Home Front. The second aspect was France’s plan to reduce British influence and avenge them. The French also offered their support to the American colonies in numerous ways. They provided material backing in May 1776, established a treaty of Commerce and Amity in February 1778, which resulted in recognition and trade, and formed an alliance treaty in 1778 for a military agreement[9]. There was martial intervention between the French and American colonies. The third international aspect of the War was Spain’s plan, which integrated numerous tactics. Their main objectives were to bring back Gibraltar and lower British influence and authority. Spain formed a military intervention in 1779 and joined the War, not as America’s allies, but France’s supporters.

The fourth aspect was the circumstances in Holland. The Anglo-Dutch associations turned sour as the Dutch were not in support of Britain due to their trade relations with France and America. This resulted in War raging between Britain and Holland. The British anticipated doing away with Holland’s support to the French and the rebels, which was unsuccessful[10]. The enlightenment notions also promoted the turn of events during the War. The enlightenment was a scientific and cultural movement initiated in Europe that emphasized aspects of rationality and reason over misconception. Thomas Hobbes, an English theorist, developed the social contract idea. Additionally, John Locke, another theorist, established that individuals have the liberty to the preservation of life, property, and other additional attributes from the governing administration. These notions influenced the American Revolution’s outcomes as the colonists were dedicated to achieving the right to liberty, life, and the search for contentment.

The primary revolution outcome was the liberty of the thirteen once British protectorates in North America. Additionally, the revolution served as a philosophical refinement of monarchists in the thirteen former British protectorates. Most of these royalists were forced to move to Canada after the War, and among them were several slaves who fought as British allies in the War. The Revolutionary War had several consequences, including the death of approximately 7,200 Americans due to the War. An additional 10,000 succumbed to disease and similar exposure while roughly 8,500 perished in the British jails[11]. Another consequence was the escape of some slaves in Georgia and South Carolina. The nations also implemented transcribed constitutions that ensured religious liberty, heightened the powers and form of the legislature, transformed inheritance regulations, and advanced the tax system.

[1] Hoffman, Ronald, and Peter J Albert. 1981. “France and the American Revolution Seen as Tragedy”. In Diplomacy And Revolution , 73-105. Charlottesville: Published for the United States Capitol Historical Society by the University Press of Virginia.

[2] Spring, Matthew H. 2014. “The Army’s Task”. In With Zeal And With Bayonets Only, 3-23. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press.

[3] Resch, John, and Walter Sargent. 2007. “Incompatible Allies”. In  War & Society In The American Revolution , 191-214. Northern Illinois University Press.

[4] Moyer, Paul, History 309. “The International Dimensions Of The Revolutionary War”. Presentation.

[5] Resch, John, and Walter Sargent. 2007. “Incompatible Allies”. In  War & Society In The American Revolution , 191-214. Northern Illinois University Press.

[6] Bowler, Arthur. n.d. “Logistics and Operations in the American Revolution”. In Logistics And The Failure Of The British Army In America, 1775-1783, 55-71.

[7] Moyer, Paul, History 309. “The International Dimensions Of The Revolutionary War”. Presentation.

[8] Resch, John, and Walter Sargent. 2007. “Incompatible Allies”. In  War & Society In The American Revolution , 191-214. Northern Illinois University Press.

[9] Tiedemann, Joseph S, Eugene R Fingerhut, and Robert W Venables. 2009. “Loyalty is Now Bleeding in New Jersey, Motivations and Mentalities of the Disaffected”. In The Other Loyalists , 45-77. Albany, NY: SUNY Press.

[10] Hoffman, Ronald, and Peter J Albert. 1981. “France and the American Revolution Seen as Tragedy”. In Diplomacy And Revolution , 73-105. Charlottesville: Published for the United States Capitol Historical Society by the University Press of Virginia.

[11] Spring, Matthew H. 2014. “The Army’s Task”. In With Zeal And With Bayonets Only, 3-23. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press.

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Home — Essay Samples — History — History of the United States — American Revolution

Essays on American Revolution

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Common Sense by Thomas Paine

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The History of American Revolution - Timeline, Facts & Causes

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How Did The War Between Britain and America Benefit Others

The american revolutionary war: the battles of lexington and concord, the role of women during the american revolution, revolutionary mothers by carol berkin: the role of founding mothers during the american revolution, differences between british and american soldiers in the american revolution, american revolution's negative impact on native american history, the role of boston tea party in the american revolution, establishment of american ideals during american revolution, the spies of the american revolution: nathan hale, the revolution of 1800, role and concequences of the articles of confederation, the second american revolution: its impact and legacy, the impact of valley forge on the american revolution , analysis of the main causes of the american revolution, war on the colonies: french, indian war and american revolution, a history of the enlightenment inspired revolutions, a study of major revolution events in america, the american revolution: how women and wives influenced husbands and friends, main minuses of the articles of confederation, insurgency and asymmetric warfare in the american revolutionary war  .

22 March 1765 – 14 January 1784

Thirteen Colonies (United States)

Dutch Republic, France, Loyalist, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, American colonies

The Boston Tea Party (1773), The Battles of Lexington and Concord (1775), The Declaration of Independence (1776), The Battle of Saratoga (1777), The Siege of Yorktown (1781)

George Washington: As the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, George Washington emerged as a central figure in the revolution. His strategic brilliance, perseverance, and moral character helped inspire and lead the troops through challenging times, ultimately leading to victory. Thomas Jefferson: Known for his eloquence and intellect, Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. His ideas and ideals, including the belief in natural rights and self-governance, greatly influenced the revolutionary cause. Benjamin Franklin: A polymath and influential statesman, Benjamin Franklin played a vital role in rallying support for the revolution. He traveled to Europe as a diplomat, securing crucial aid from France and other countries, and his scientific discoveries further enhanced his reputation. John Adams: A passionate advocate for independence, John Adams was instrumental in driving the revolutionary movement forward. He served as a diplomat, including as a representative to France and as the second President of the United States, and his contributions to shaping the nation were significant. Abigail Adams: Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams, was an influential figure in her own right. Her letters to her husband and other prominent figures provided valuable insights and perspectives on the revolution, and she became an early advocate for women's rights and equality.

In the 18th century, the thirteen American colonies were under British rule. Over time, tensions began to rise as the colonists developed a distinct identity and desired greater autonomy. Several key factors contributed to the buildup of resentment and ultimately led to the revolution. One crucial prerequisite was the concept of colonial self-government. The colonists enjoyed a degree of self-rule, which allowed them to develop their own institutions and local governments. However, as British policies, such as the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts, imposed new taxes and regulations on the colonies, the sense of self-government and individual liberties were threatened. Another significant factor was the Enlightenment era, which spread ideas of natural rights, individual freedoms, and representative government. Influential thinkers like John Locke and Thomas Paine advocated for the rights of the people and challenged the legitimacy of monarchy. The causes of the American Revolution were diverse and multifaceted. The colonists' grievances included taxation without representation, restrictions on trade, and the presence of British troops in the colonies. The Boston Massacre in 1770 and the Boston Tea Party in 1773 further heightened tensions and solidified the resolve for independence. Ultimately, the outbreak of armed conflict in 1775 at Lexington and Concord marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War. The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, served as a powerful statement of the colonists' grievances and their determination to establish a free and sovereign nation. The historical context of the American Revolution reflects the culmination of colonial aspirations for self-government, Enlightenment ideas of individual rights, and a series of grievances against British rule.

Establishment of the United States as a sovereign nation; the creation of a new form of government based on democratic principles; adoption of the United States Constitution; redefinition of citizenship; abolition of feudalism; expansion of territorial boundaries, etc.

One of the major effects of the American Revolution was the establishment of a new form of government based on the principles of democracy and individual rights. The United States Constitution, born out of the revolution, served as a model for constitutional governments around the world. The idea of a government by the people and for the people spread, inspiring future revolutions and movements for independence. The revolution also challenged the existing colonial powers, particularly the British Empire, and set in motion a wave of decolonization throughout the world. The success of the American colonies in breaking free from British rule demonstrated that colonies could successfully achieve independence, fueling nationalist movements in other parts of the world and ultimately leading to the dissolution of empires. The American Revolution also had significant economic effects. It established the United States as a new economic power and opened up opportunities for trade and commerce. The revolution encouraged the development of industry and innovation, setting the stage for the industrial revolution that would follow. Furthermore, the American Revolution had a profound impact on the institution of slavery. While the revolution did not immediately abolish slavery, it planted the seeds of abolitionism and sparked debates on the issue of human rights and equality. Lastly, the American Revolution inspired and influenced subsequent revolutions and movements for independence, such as the French Revolution, which drew inspiration from the ideals of liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty championed by the American colonists.

Public opinion on the American Revolution varied greatly during the time period and continues to be interpreted differently today. In the 18th century, support for the revolution was not unanimous. Some colonists were loyal to the British Crown and opposed the revolutionary movement, while others actively supported the cause of independence. Public opinion shifted over time as events unfolded and more people became aware of the grievances and aspirations of the revolutionaries. Many colonists, especially those who felt oppressed by British policies, embraced the ideals of liberty, self-determination, and representation. They saw the revolution as a necessary step towards achieving these principles and securing their rights as free individuals. Others were motivated by economic factors, such as trade restrictions and taxation without representation, which fueled their support for independence. However, there were also segments of the population that remained loyal to Britain. Some believed in the benefits of British rule, such as protection and stability, while others feared the potential chaos and uncertainty that could result from a revolution. In modern times, public opinion on the American Revolution tends to be positive, with many viewing it as a pivotal moment in history that laid the foundation for democratic governance and individual freedoms. The ideals and principles that emerged from the revolution continue to shape American identity and influence public discourse on issues of liberty, equality, and self-governance.

1. The American Revolution lasted for eight years, from 1775 to 1783, making it one of the longest and most significant conflicts in American history. 2. The American Revolution had a profound impact on the world stage. It inspired other countries and movements seeking independence and democracy, such as the French Revolution that followed in 1789. 3. While often overlooked, women made significant contributions to the American Revolution. They served as spies, messengers, nurses, and even soldiers. Some notable examples include Deborah Sampson, who disguised herself as a man to join the Continental Army, and Abigail Adams, who advocated for women's rights.

The topic of the American Revolution holds immense importance for academic exploration and essay writing due to its profound impact on the world and the enduring legacy it left behind. Firstly, the American Revolution marked a pivotal moment in history where thirteen colonies fought for their independence from British rule, leading to the formation of the United States of America. It represents a significant event in the development of democracy and self-governance, serving as an inspiration for subsequent revolutions worldwide. Studying the American Revolution allows us to understand the principles and ideals that shaped the nation's foundation, such as liberty, equality, and the pursuit of happiness. It sheds light on the struggles and sacrifices made by individuals who fought for their rights and paved the way for the establishment of a democratic government. Furthermore, exploring this topic provides insights into the complexities of colonial society, the causes of the revolution, the role of key figures, and the social, economic, and political consequences of the conflict.

1. Bailyn, B. (1992). The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution. Belknap Press. 2. Ellis, J. J. (2013). American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic. Vintage. 3. Ferling, J. E. (2015). Whirlwind: The American Revolution and the War That Won It. Bloomsbury Publishing. 4. Fischer, D. H. (2006). Washington's Crossing. Oxford University Press. 5. Maier, P. (1997). American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence. Vintage. 6. Middlekauff, R. (2005). The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789. Oxford University Press. 7. Middlekauff, R. (2007). The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789. Oxford University Press. 8. Nash, G. B. (2006). The Unknown American Revolution: The Unruly Birth of Democracy and the Struggle to Create America. Penguin Books. 9. Tuchman, B. W. (1989). The First Salute: A View of the American Revolution. Random House. 10. Wood, G. S. (1992). The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage.

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The American Revolution: A War for Independence Essay

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The American Revolution was a war for independence. It was a war which was fought for equal rights and the freedom of a would be nation. It showed the pure courage and heart of the American colonists by pitting them against a much more powerful opponent. The British had the best army in the world, and the colonists were often just poor farmers armed with their hunting muskets. It was truly a case of David versus Goliath. The reasons, course, and outcome of the American Revolution provided the perfect scenario for achieving independence. The ideas behind the revolution came much earlier than 1776. They came from deep within the Enlightenment. Although there was not much support behind these ideas, it is important to note …show more content…

These acts had been around for a long time and caused little problems. They often benefited from these acts because although they had to buy from England, it was the most advanced industrial country and could often offer the best prices. The first tax to cause trouble in the colonies was the Sugar Act followed closely by the Stamp Act. The Sugar Act was truly just a restatement of old customs laws in an effort to raise money. The Stamp Act was a tax in which anything formally written or printed would have to be on specially stamped paper which was shipped from London. The colonists would soon pay taxes "at every stage of a lawsuit, that diplomas and deeds, almanacs and advertisements, bills and bonds, customs papers and newspapers, even dice and cards, would all be charged," (Morgan 19). The colonists reacted very violently to these taxes. They protested and boycotted throughout the nation and the British Parliament soon repealed the tax. Radicals began to proclaim the fact that there should be no taxation without representation. This meant that colonists should be represented in Parliament if they were going to be taxed by them. The British stated that every member of the Parliament was there to represent the whole Empire, not just the electors he represented. Therefore, the Americans would have no representation in Parliament. In 1773 the British decided to tax tea. They granted the British East India Company to ship their goods

The American Revolutionary War Essay

The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War in the United States, was the prosperous military revolt against Great Britain of Thirteen American Colonies which joined together as the United States of America in July 1776. Originally constrained to fighting in those colonies, after 1778 it additionally became a world war between Britain and France, Netherlands, Spain, and Mysore.

The American Colonists' War for Freedom Essay

The years of 1763-1765 were truly defining moments for colonist of the colonies, soon to become the United States of America. ‘’War! War! This is the only way!” American Colonist shouted,as they took to the streets proclaiming defiance of British rule. “We as a people shall fight for our freedom and have victory.No more shall we continue to let others control our countries and give our money to a monarch who has no concern for our right’s, dedication that was put forth to help fight and respect us as loyal subjects.We must fight for our freedom!” When American colonist waged war it proved to be the only way for the colonies to become free from Britian. In turn, the colonist were justified in breaking away from England because of: The

Who to Blame for the American Revolution.

Huge debts were owed to Great Britain for supplying the colonists with military support and supplies. To pay the dues, there was the establishment of the Stamp Act, the taxation on domestic goods and services. A tax on domestic merchandise brought even more anger to the colonists. The Sugar Act, the Townshed Duties and the Tea Act were also all introduced with the same fundamentals: applying tax on goods whether it be directly or indirectly, domestic or international. “British commercial regulations imposed a paltry economic burden on Americans, who enjoyed a rapid economic growth and a standard of living higher than their European counterparts” (McGaughy). Each act resulted in irritated colonists. Some even retaliated by tarring and feathering certain English tax enforcers living in the colonies.

The American Revolution : A Heroic School By Robert Brown

The American Revolution was a war that happened between 1775-1783 where the 13 colonies in America gained independence from Great Britain and became the United States of America. Over time there have been several different historical interpretations about the causes of the American Revolution. Many of these interpretations lack evidence or provide a very one sided claim. The best explanation for the causes of the American Revolution out of the 5 passages provided is “A Democratic Movement” written by Robert Brown because it had the most historical evidence to back the explanation.

American Colonists: Declaring Their Independence Essay

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Imagine everything that is said is heard in a British accent. It sounds funny now, but that's how it could have been if the colonists had never declared their independence from England. That isn't what happened though. Grievances were made, events came to pass, and the Declaration of Independence was written. Taking a look at the documents from that time, as well as treatment of other colonies by the British one can see that the colonists were completely justified in declaring their independence from England.

The Revolution Of The American Revolution

Protests broke out all across the colonies, with revolts, boycotts, and even fights. British Parliament established the acts to raise revenue through trade taxes on the American colonies. The Sugar Act was established in 1764 to increase controls on non-British trading and taxed not only sugar but other materials such as; coffee, coconuts and different animals parts. The Stamp Act was established in 1765 to tax people for a royal stamp, it also taxed paper, shipping and legal documents, pamphlets, and many more. The act was not as large as other taxes, but it changed the way of Parliament authority, from trade to direct taxes on the colonies. The famous saying “no taxation without representation”,

Essay on The Causes of the American Revolution

The American Revolutionary War was caused by the political disagreements between Great Britain and the American colonies. Most of the Americans initially didn’t want to completely separate from England but wanted to regain the rights that Parliament had taken away from them. England made war unavoidable with its unwillingness to negotiate, heavy taxation of the colonists that violated their rights, and strict trading policies.

The American Revolution: The Beginning of Independence And Equality

The American Revolution (1775-1783) was a war between England and the colonies which were settled earlier by the English. There were many factors and events that led to the American Revolution. The Revolution was mainly an economic rebellion that was fueled by taxation without representation following the French and Indian War. The English Parliament was more often than not considered cruel and unfair by the colonists. With conflicts over trade, taxes and government representation, the colonies were at a starting line of a revolution that would later transform into the basis of the United States of America.

American Revolution Dbq Essay

The American revolution took place in the time frame of 1765 and 1783. The reason was because of the feud with the thirteen American colonies and the British government. The Americans went to war with the British and won their freedom, but how much actually changed for the Americans?

American colonists. The American Revolution was a colonial revolt that took place between 1765 and 1783, and it was a huge conflict between the British and the American colonists. The American Revolution started at the Battle of Lexington and Concord, this battle is also known as the first battle of the American Revolution. The American colonists had won at the Battle of Yorktown, and that was the end of the American Revolution. Why did the American colonists break away from England? The American colonists broke away from England, because of extra taxes, angry colonists, and army occupation.

Great Britain did not strictly govern the English colonies so they traded and developed their own independent governments without any interference. The colonies were left in salutary neglect and it wasn’t until after the French and Indian war that the way the colonies were governed changed. After the French and Indian war, the Native Americans were dissatisfied with the treatment from the British officials and they organized Pontiac’s Rebellion. Because of this, King George decided to pass the Proclamation of 1763, which forbade all settlements past a line drawn among the Appalachian Mountains. The colonists were upset because the law prevented from settling in the Ohio Valley and some already had land in the area, but could not return to

The American Revolution: A Radical Movement Essay

war, it is a sign of radical action. Britains' army was four times as big

Salutary Neglect And The American Revolution

The passing of a series of laws regulating trade and tax, most notably the Sugar Act (1764), the Stamp Act (1765), and the Tea Act (1773) increased tension between Great Britain and its colonies in the period 1763-1776. Near the end of the French and Indian War, Great Britain was in desperate need of money to pay for their war debts. The British Parliament believed that they had a right to tax their colonies. Their legislations placed duties on certain imports that had never been taxed before. By the end of 1764, tensions heightened between colonists and imperial officials as they were disagreeing more and more about how the colonies should be taxed and governed. These feelings of dissatisfaction would soon swell into rebellion, leading to the American Revolution.

Essay about The Causes of the American Revolution

As the colonies and England grew further apart the resentment of additional taxes and tariffs increased the distance between the two. England came up with the Tea Act, Sugar Act, and Stamp Act, all of which were designed to regain the money England felt was due. All tea imported to the colonies was hit with an additional tax covered by the Tea Act. The Sugar Act allowed British troops to enter, search, and seize any items that they desired without probably cause, this supposedly allowed them to control the flow of illegal and untaxed goods. The Stamp Act was a tax placed on all paper goods including those materials that could possibly be made into paper. These three taxes were collectively known as the Intolerable or Coercive Acts. Probably the tax that hit

The American Revolution, A Fight for Colonial Independence Essay

“Is there a single trait of resemblance between those few towns and a great and growing people spread over a vast quarter of the globe, separated by a mighty ocean?” This question posed by Edmund Burke was in the hearts of nearly every colonist before the colonies gained their independence from Britain. The colonists’ heritage was largely British, as was their outlook on a great array of subjects; however, the position and prejudices they held concerning their independence were comprised entirely from American ingenuity. This identity crisis of these “British Americans” played an enormous role in the colonists’ battle for independence, and paved the road to revolution.

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• American Revolutionary War
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The War of American Independence: Military Attitudes, Policies, and Practice, 1763–1789. By Don Higginbotham. (New York: Macmillan, 1971. xvi + 509 pp. Maps, illustrations, notes, bibliographical essay, and index. $12.95.)

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John Shy, The War of American Independence: Military Attitudes, Policies, and Practice, 1763–1789. By Don Higginbotham. (New York: Macmillan, 1971. xvi + 509 pp. Maps, illustrations, notes, bibliographical essay, and index. $12.95.), Journal of American History , Volume 58, Issue 4, March 1972, Pages 1006–1007, https://doi.org/10.2307/1917875

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Archaeologists believe they’ve found site of Revolutionary War barracks in Virginia

This image provided by Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, shows bricks that were believed to be part of military barracks during the American Revolution at an archaeological dig at Colonial Williamsburg, Va. The museum announced the site’s discovery on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Colonial Williamsburg Foundation via AP)

Archaeologists at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia work around a chimney base in the summer of 2023 at a site where military barracks are believed to have stood during the American Revolution. The museum announced the site’s discovery on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Colonial Williamsburg Foundation via AP)

This image provided by Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, shows a piece of lead shot with a tooth mark was excavated in the summer of 2023 by archaeologists at Colonial Williamsburg, a living history museum in Virginia. The piece was found at the site of what is believed to be a military barracks from the American Revolution. Soldiers chewed on the balls because of their sweet taste. The museum announced the site’s discovery on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Brendan Sostak/Colonial Williamsburg Foundation via AP)

This image provided by Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, shows military buckle was excavated in the summer of 2023 by archaeologists at Colonial Williamsburg, a living history museum in Virginia. The buckle was found at the site of what was believed to be a military barracks during the American Revolution. The museum announced the site’s discovery on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Brendan Sostak/Colonial Williamsburg Foundation via AP)

This image provided by Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, shows a lead musket ball was excavated in the summer of 2023 by archaeologists at Colonial Williamsburg, a living history museum in Virginia. The ball was found at the site of what was believed to be a military barracks during the American Revolution. The museum announced the site’s discovery on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Brendan Sostak/Colonial Williamsburg Foundation via AP)

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WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) — Archaeologists in Virginia have uncovered what is believed to be the remains of a military barracks from the Revolutionary War, including chimney bricks and musket balls indented with soldiers’ teeth.

The site is on the property of Colonial Williamsburg, a living history museum that tells the story of the capital of Britain’s Virginia colony in the 18th century.

Maps and documents from the time reference a barracks built between 1776 and 1777 for the Continental army as it fought the British, the museum said in a statement this week. The structure was designed to accommodate up to 2,000 soldiers and 100 horses.

The American Revolution began in 1775. The barracks are thought to have been destroyed in 1781 by troops in the army of British Gen. Lord Charles Cornwallis. His forces were on their way to the pivotal Battle of Yorktown , where the British suffered great losses and surrendered. The war officially ended in 1783.

Archaeological evidence of continental barracks in Virginia is rare, according to Colonial Williamsburg. This site is particularly valuable because it was used only as a barracks. Plus, a significant portion of the land has been largely undisturbed.

The site was discovered during an archaeological dig required ahead of the construction of a proposed regional sports complex. Its planned footprint has since been shifted to preserve the roughly 3 to 4 acre (1.2 to 1.6 hectare) barracks site.

An initial excavation last summer revealed chimney bases and uncovered a military buckle and lead shot for muskets. Soldiers chewed on the balls because of their sweet taste.

Only a small percentage of the site has been excavated. The museum tells the story of Colonial Williamsburg through interpreters and more than 400 restored or reconstructed buildings. It plans to use the site to tell the story of Williamsburg’s military involvement in the American Revolution and the daily lives of soldiers.

Decoding the Outcome of Lexington and Concord: who Really Won?

This essay about the battles of Lexington and Concord discusses the events and outcomes of the first conflicts of the American Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775. It details how British troops aimed to seize colonial arms and capture key leaders but faced unexpected resistance from American militiamen. The essay outlines the initial British success at Lexington, where they overpowered the militia, and the subsequent American victory at Concord, where colonial forces showcased their strategic prowess. The piece evaluates the broader implications of these battles, emphasizing their role in galvanizing colonial support for independence and demonstrating American resilience. Ultimately, it argues that while the British claimed a tactical victory at Lexington, the strategic and symbolic triumphs belonged to the Americans, setting the stage for their pursuit of independence.

How it works

On April 19, 1775, the tranquil dawn in the Massachusetts countryside was shattered by the outbreak of gunfire, marking the inception of the American Revolutionary War. The conflicts at Lexington and Concord, two seemingly inconspicuous villages, not only altered the course of American history but also posed a perennial question: who truly won these initial skirmishes of the revolution?

The day began with British troops marching from Boston with two objectives: to seize colonial arms stored at Concord and to capture revolutionary leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock, rumored to be at Lexington.

However, the colonial militias, forewarned by riders including Paul Revere, were prepared. The first clash occurred on Lexington Green. Eyewitness accounts and historical records suggest that the colonial forces, vastly outnumbered, were quickly overwhelmed. Eight militiamen were killed and several were wounded in what could barely be classified as a battle—more a slaughter than a skirmish.

Yet, the day’s events were far from over. As the British column advanced into Concord, they found most of the munitions removed. They were met by increasing numbers of American militiamen. At Concord’s North Bridge, a force of colonials repelled the British in a more decisive engagement. This was the shot heard ’round the world, immortalized by poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, marking a clear colonial victory. The British, realizing their vulnerability and the unexpected escalation in colonial resistance, commenced a perilous retreat back to Boston.

Throughout their retreat, the British troops found themselves besieged by a growing number of militia fighters. Using guerrilla tactics learned from frontier skirmishes, these colonial forces harried the British, taking cover behind trees and stone walls. The British, trained for open-field battle and wearing conspicuous red uniforms, were easy targets. By the time they returned to the safety of Boston, their casualties were significantly higher than those of the Americans.

So, who won the battle of Lexington and Concord? The immediate answer seems straightforward. The British technically succeeded at Lexington, dispersing the militiamen and pressing on to Concord. However, this was a Pyrrhic victory at best. The colonial forces, although initially scattered, rallied to inflict a humiliating defeat on the British troops during their retreat, a significant psychological and strategic victory.

The broader implications of Lexington and Concord are even more significant. These battles demonstrated the colonies’ ability to mobilize and fight against the perceived oppression of the British Crown, fueling a war that would eventually lead to American independence. The engagements showed the effectiveness of the militias and the potential of a revolutionary war. They galvanized colonial society against Britain, garnering support for the burgeoning American Revolution from previously undecided colonists.

In the historical narrative of the American Revolution, Lexington and Concord are often seen as the embodiment of American resilience and strategic ingenuity. While the British could claim a tactical victory at Lexington, the overall strategic and symbolic victories belonged unequivocally to the Americans. These battles underscored the colonial resolve, demonstrated the lethal flaws in British military strategy, and highlighted the underestimation of American spirit.

Therefore, while the British may have won the battle of Lexington by a narrow margin, it was the American forces who secured a far-reaching victory at Concord and throughout the fateful retreat. This day of conflict served as the catalyst for the war of independence, setting the stage for the creation of a new nation. Thus, in a grander sense, the true victors of Lexington and Concord were the American colonies, whose fighters proved their mettle in the face of imperial power, paving the way for the pursuit of liberty and justice.

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Army nurse shares Vietnam War experiences with Monroe chapter of DAR

MONROE — Sandy Wilson, who served in the Army Nurse Corps, recently spoke to members of the Nancy DeGraff Toll Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution .

“It was a pleasure to have her speak to our ladies.  She shared her experience while serving during the Vietnam War with us,” said the chapter's Deborah Comer.

Wilson was taught at Wayne State University’s College of Nursing. She joined the Army Nurse Corps at age 22 and served in Vietnam from June 1968 to June 1969. She was the captain nurse in the operating room. Her assignments were at 8th Field Hospital, Nha Tarang; 7th Surgical Hospital, Blackhouse; and 36th Evacuation Hospital, Vung Tau.  

“She joined because they needed her skills and there was a shortage,” Comer said. “She says she is not a hero.”

Wilson retired as a lieutenant colonel. After her military service, she was a nurse educator with the University of Michigan.  

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Her government appointments include the Michigan Agent Orange Commission and the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund. She also is a member of American Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau and Association of Operating Room Nurses.

“She shared with us the effects of Agent Orange exposure to the soldiers, which we knew, but also the continuing effect in their offspring,” Comer said. “Chemicals in Agent Orange have been found in their children. Also, diabetes in the soldiers and their offspring has been directedly related to the Agent Orange exposure. She works with the government to get the services these veterans and their families need because of the Agent Orange exposure.”